Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-09-22
Mr., DElgNIS0N'S SPEECH
The Debate al Tim.

and RAssr took place at Tiffin. Belo'
We give all the extracts from Mr.. Denni
sons speech in reply To Mr.. r. on tina
occasion, that we have room for. No ma
has ever sustained himself better in de
bate than our-candidate for governor ha
in this debate with the Democratic candi
date. Since the debate commenced ou
opponents finding their man was losinl
ground, have called to his assistanc
Messrs. Pugh and Manypenny. He's
match for all three.
Mr.. Dennison said:-Fellow citizens,
do not know whether have sufficient voic
to reach this large audience, but viii en-
deavor TO make myselfheard by those wb'
may choose TO listen to me. leone to ad
dress you as citizens of our great and glo
rious State, having alike interest in it
prosperity, and in that of all the States o
The coufederacy-as equally anxious to pre-
serve our glorious Union, the richest in
heritance ever given to a people. As equal
ly anxious To contribute to the steady ad
vancement of the sacred cause of humani-
~ and freedom. I know that it is said
there are great differences between the po'
litical parties of the country, fundamental
differences in their construction of the Con,
stitution; d ffereuces in regard to the very
lending principles of the government itself
This may be so, but this / know, there is
no difference as to the honesty of the cou-
victiors of the people upon these great
questions. There are as many honest men
in one political party as another. You
have no interest except to promote the
well being of the country. You have no
particular interest in regard TO the eleva-
iion of Judge Ranuey or myself to the Of
fee Of Governor, except as may honestly
believe, that the elevation Of tie one or
the other may contribute to the prosperity
of the country. l believe in the doctrines
of the Republican party, as automatically
proclaimed BY that party, and | do not
agree 10 the doctrines of the Democratic
party, as exemplifed by the actions of that
party.
1 propose my fellow-citizens to address
you to-day, first, in regard to some of our
own State concerns, and then ] will invite
your attention to National questions. In
the first place let me say to you, that if
you will read the history of the Democrat
ic party for the last eight years, I think
you will agree with me, that that party
has been an unfaithful administrator Of
the affairs of the State; that the promises
made by that party in 1851 they did not
fulflI-;hat the pledges they gave 10 the
people when they came into power they
nave not redeemed. They told you with
he new Constitution they would reduce
very largely the expenses of the Govern
nent, and would secure to you all the great
snds of the State Government at much
ess cost than you had hitherto paid. You
will find by the records, that instead of di-
the expenses of the State gov
they largely increased the taxes
lpon the people. AS compared with four
preceding years to 1851, they increased
he State expenses $500, 900 year. You
will find that the average taxation from
1852 to 1856 was not less than and g.
l6ths of mill on dollar, without regard
% the payment of the interest and princi-
pal of the public debt; while we find that
Turing the four succeeding years, the aver
age taxation has been 17-20ths of mill
IN the dollar; and there was collected up
IN the grand duplicate between 1852 and
1856 $l,2so.o00 for general expenses,
more than during the four preceding years
md only s536,000 of which was applied
o the payment of interest on the public
lebt.
| give you the figures in round numbers.
You thus find that they have not redeemed
heir promises. Your taxes have been
argely increased. There is no explana-
ion that can be found in the wants of the
,eople to account for it. 1t was the prof
igste expenditure Of the public money.
50 much upon this question. Let us see
low they redeemed their pledges in other
When the party came into pow
q, in 1851, the very subject to which they
hould have directed their attention was
o establish a System of finance that would
,rovide fer the receipt, safe keeping, and
Of the public money. The
Democratic party were in power four years.
they came into power on the lst of Janua-
y, 1852. Can any man point to single
ct, during this four years rule, providing
or the collection and safe keeping of the
,ublic funds? / assert that these four
Years passed over, and with their majority
zach branch of the Legislature, the Demo
ratio party did not enact single law for
he regulation and disbursement of the
,ublic funds. I want to have nv friend,
yhen be comes to reply 10 me, explain this
Extraordinary neglect of duty. You know
Tery well that If there is any one thing
more interesting to the people than anoth-
", except the preservation of their liber-
les, it is the safe keeping of the public
moneys. You have right 10 expect and
j right to demand this. You have seen
his party make no provisions for the pres
'rvation Of your money. It is q most ex-
raordinary instance of official delinquency.
know it is said Mr.. Morgan was anxious
% have certain legislation for the protec-
lion of the public funds; and that the mi
noriIy party of the two branches of the
Legislature would. not consent to such leg
alton. 1t is childish to charge upon the
minority the defeat of public duty of this
;ort. If the Democratic ,or.r IA .bo