Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-28
Speech Of Charles S. Olden.

We make the following extracts from a
speech delivered at Jersey City, by Hon.
Charles S. Olden, our candidate for Governor,
and ask for it a careful perusal:
You will excuse me for for few mo.
ments if detain you by some remarks that |
perhaps should make in justice to myself. |
have understood that short time Since the
opposite candidate undertook to review my
course in the State Senate, and he was very
much distressed at my want of patriotism, and
mourned lamentably over the exhibition he
found in the records of the Senate, in re-
gard to my action on some resolutions that
were introduced to give the thanks of the
Legislature to the volunteers who had served
in the Mexican war Well gentlemen, these
resolutions were introduced; but they were
nothing but resolutions, mere words without
substance. A number of members thought it
unworthy of the State to make such tender
as that, without giving them something else
In addition. A resolution was introduced
that each volunteer should be presented with
a musket and accoutrements, something which
he could show to his children as an evidence
of his patriotism This was voted down, and
then some of US determined that these reBolu-
tons should not pass unless they allowed us
to do something more for these men than
would be signfed by words The resolutions
, came up one by one, aud almost every Que in
the Senate voted against them, myself among
the number Then resolution was intro
duced substituting swords for muSkets, that
was voted down; then again we introduced
the original resolution to present them with
muskets, aud it was carried; every member of
that Senate with the exception of two votes,
in favor of this resolution, myself among the
number in the affirmative. And yet sir, after
all that | have been stigmatized by the ora
tors of the Democratic party as wanting in
patriotism, because | would not vote for a
string of resolutions which were nothing but
wind, and insisted upon having some thing sub
stantial added to it.
| 1t has also been stated that was opposed
to the Public School System, and the Senate
journal of 1850 was produced to show that
was opposed to it. There was law intro
duced and opposed it. want you to know
some of the circumstances: was appointed
as Chairman of the Committee upon Il easu-
ers accounts, and it was part of my duty to
prepare an estimate of the receipts and expen-
ditures of the State; and as honest men. we
did it in such way as to insure the payment
of the State debts thing which has gone
out of fashion since then Laughter and
cheers
| The estimate had been made, aud the pay
ment of what the State owed had been pro-
vlded for, but we had nothing over; and then
at the very heel of the session, when all this
was done, some wise man who thought he
could trammel our action, introduced resolu-
ton to appropriate 10 per cent of the income
to the School Fund That was not the time
to introduce snch resolution, and | voted
against it, and for that | am said to be or
posed to education Now there were some
forty bills in that very session in favor of the
School Fund in which voted in its favor
Gentleman, 1t is very easy to go to the Leg
lsature and vote away the peoples money to
support Free Schools, for it is popular meas
ure, and If man wants to get favor, one of
the easiest ways in the world is for him to vote
for the support of the School Fund. Every
man looked upon this as popular measure,
and it is very easy to appropriate the money
if they have it to appropriate. do not like
to boast, but ] say here in the presence of
this assembly, that / challenge investigation,
that out Of my own pocket have given as
L
Schools, as any man in the Democratic party
in the State of New Jersey. Loud and long
cheering
One subject more and am done. Some
gentlemen have accused me with voting
against the ten hour system, but the journal
of the Senate will show any one who chooses
to look; and they will see that there is rot
one particle Of truth in that assertion, not a
shadow of it; the record is here. and it shows
that voted in favor Of it. tremendous
cheering.
One other thing which yon may have seen
stated in the papers, and it came out in very
singular manner. The only way have seen
it alluded to was this--an article to this ef-
feet appeared: cit is denied that Charles S.
Oden ever said that he would not believe
Free Mason under oath" Now, sir, l never
said it. 1t is difficult thing TO prove neg
alive, our legal friends tell us, but viii make
this simple statement Gen. Washington was
Free Mason-more than half the leaders of
the Revolution were Free Masons | am
member of the Episcopal Church, unworthy it
may be, and more than half the clergy ofthat
church whom / know are Free Masons; some
OF my most intimate friends are Free Masons
men to whom / would trust my life and my
honor the only brother of my father was
Free Mason; the only brother of my mother
was a Free Mason-the man to whom | owe
more temporarily than to any other man was
a Mason. ] have no children, but | have a
nephew, dear to me as any son, and he is a
Free Mason. Now if there is anybody who
is ready to believe that am base enough,
that ] am fool enough TO say that would
not believe these men under oath, all that /
have ask Of that manis that be will never vote
for me for any Office at all.
Mr.. olden closed amid the most yociferous
cheers