The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-09-12
For the Spirit of Democracy,

Mr.. EDIToR:-Hearlng that Gen. Ford was
to make a speech at Jerusalem, on the evening
of the 31st Of August, and that the Republi-
cans wished to hear opposition to Mr.. Ford,
thought l would attend to hear the discus
sion, should there be any. l arrived just as
Mr.. Ford was introduced to the audience; but
| saw no Ford. After about fifteen minutes he
rose from behind some half dozen Abolition
lists and commenced by making false charges
against ]. R. Merris, stating that he had heard
the charges from his fellow Republicans and
that they we're true because he (Ford) said
they were. He next said if their was any
Democrat present he would divide the time
with him, and that he might reply after he was
done. He then stated that law was a contract,
and used all his kind of logic to prove that
man was not bound by his contracts after they
were made, if they were not in keeping with
his interest. This he said was SO, and his con-
clusio1 from this doctrine was that 'to rob
man by law was greater crime than to rob
him contrary to law" A very appropriate
conclusion for traitors to their country, and
their contracts.
He then went on to try to show that the
Democratic party had changed to horse jockeys
in national affairs, and that they were the
cause of all the high taxes, and all these kind
| of things, and the reason for this was, because
certain Democrats and Republicans in this
County did not eat at the same table with their
hired girls, then raising his hand and bringing
it down with power, he said "don't you see my
remarks are correct" He also said that the
Republican party had changed, and that the
Democratic party made him, s'like Abe Lin
coin great deal better, than he really did like
him. and that Lincoln when he expressed the
doctrine of the "irrepressible conflict" meant
just what he (Ford) believed, and concluded
| by introducing Mr.. Kincade.
I M,
and stated that as he had said that any Demo-
crat might reply; MIR. Truax was now ready TO
reply, several Republicans objected but Ford
said he was willing to give Mr.. Truax one
( half hour and then Kincade would follow TAX
ing half the time. This proposition Truax re-
| jected as unfair to give him so limited time
to reply to Fords two hour speech, and be fol-
lowed by another man, but this was all that
they would do until it was proven that they
had sent a message to any speaker that might
be at Grifith's school-house to come and reply
to Ford. They then agreed that Truax might
| reply and Ford follow.
Truax then took the floor and showed lin a
manner which did honor to himself,) the posi-.
tion of the Democratic party, as being great
national party, he defined the difference be-
tween the Democratic party and the Breckin.
ridge party, and showed that the ReI ublicar
and Breckenridge principle was the same al
though the policy maybe different. Ee re-
viewed Ford's speech exhibiting all the falla
cies advanced He also dwelt particularly on
the tax questions which Ford had called up
showing the true figures under Democratic and
Republican rule. During greater rart o
Truax's speech he was interrupted by few
Republicans who Ford to his honor tried te
keep quiet.
Fords concluding speech was nothing but
trying to convince his audience that when hi
was Commissioner he was the Commissioners
and an abuse of the County Officers, and in
both his speeches he never produced but one
single document, and that was to prove the
constitution did not recognize slavery any
where. SPECTATOR.