The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-28

Truth and Justice been trodden down,
till the hour and the man came; the hour
since these are times when the voice
and arm of the boldest, ,bravest and great
est are lifted up in vain--and the man
whom God appointed as his deputy 0to
be first among his countrymen, and in
spired with an unconquerable1 longing to
fulfill his mission" The time has come
to us in the grand and fnal struggle with
the cohorts of fanaticism, when, if we
would conquer, the Democracy must as
sumo the offensive. If we would take
Richmond, we must throw away our bag
gage and march to the sea. Let us
change our tactics; let US go back to the
old Jacksonian strategy; let us speak it
out in the yernacular; let us, call things
by their right names; let US charge the
enemy in front, in flank, in rear, and like
the great Frederick, fight everywhere and
all the time. The pulpit the tract, the
society, the lecture, the fair, the banquet,
the magazine, the pictorial art, science,
poetry, literature, and all other applian-
ees which instruct, amuse or move man
kind, we must no longer surrender up to
our enemies. And above all, let them
now learn that it is their turn to receive
blows, ours to give; and henceforth let us
move forward to the battle cry:d
aCharge, Chester, charge; on, Stanley, onl''
Then shall we again triumph, as in the
time when Ohio spoke in the Senate, and
was heard in the voice of the person of
her adopted but honored son, William
Allen. There were no tyrants then,
though there were giants insthe earth in
thoseI days; but they were giants who
fought neither with plucked up trees and
mountains, nor with the sword, but with
weapons forged in the armory Of truth, of
reason, of peace, and of love; and their
conquests caused not assign nor tear,
not one saddened heart, not one desola-
ted home, not one drop of blood Theirs
were victories of peace. won with the an
gels weapon. Sir, it was my good for
tune the other night, in my own beauti-
full city. in that splendid temple just ded-
icated by fitting priest and with becom-
ing ceremonies to the drama, to hear Ed
win Forest, the grand interpreter of the
Tragic Muse, who, reading between the
lines and penetrating the secret thoughts
and intents of the past, summons them
forthin flesh and blood. instinct with life,
till even the cold statue breathes and
burns, exclaim in the great character Of
Richlieu: li s-14sls-s-4sG4.
'eThe pen is mightier than the sword!"
Let US remember this noble sentiment
and so write and speak and act that our
enemies may crouch and cover before US
as did the conspirators before the great
statesman Of France, Give us back the
good old days Of Democratic vigor and
Democratic triumph; the olden time when
that great party, which has outlived every
older and every younger organization, and
survived even the shock of revolution
and civil war, stood then audacious, def
ant, belligerent, and struck as with he
ro's strength; and when the blows fell its
foes went down before it. Cheers.
20, for the sword of former days,
O, for the men who bore them,
Who, armed for right, subliinely stood,
And tyrant crouched before them"
Auspicious omens cheer US; and the
growing vigor and pugnacity of our Dem
ocratic press and public speakers smack
of coming triumph. Sparkling in every
eye, speaking from every tongue, beam
ing from every conntenance; it has the
very ring of assured and not distant vic
tory. Give US time; letus be patient and
calm of soul, and the future is ours. The
recent past is full of encouragement
Look at the late election in Ohio, where,
with a sound, bold platform, and gal
liant candidate-one in whose veins. flow
the blood of the earliest Of American
martyrs to the liberty of the press, more
than sixty years ago-one hundred and
ninety three thousand freemen renewed
their, solemn vows TO Liberty,to the Con-
stitution, aud to the Union forever. And
to-day the ensign Of Democracy stands
full high advanced, with the augury Of
victory smiling from every fold. From
another quarter, too, we have hope
Providence for wise purposes, and choos.
ing a fit instrument, commissions the
great enemy of Democrats of souls
too, as we learn from Holy Wrt-to sow
the tares Of discord among our foes, and
a bountiful harvest will soon be ripe and
ready for the reaper. Political artifce
gave us Southron, a Democrat born and
bred for Vice President. Men propo
ses: God disposes." Providence, in al
auspicious moment, made him President
for SO the loyal prophets told US, ant
does not Providence speak to and through
them?-and although we may not endors,
all; though Andrew johnson has done o
omitted Something's for which he deserve
our most severe and just condemnation
yet, through him, the future is full o
promise; and though some may censur,
me here tonight, yet as for myself, be
lieving verify that his aim and purpos
are the Immediate and complete restora
tion Of the lately confederated States t.
the exercise of all their rights under tn
Constitution, within the Union, repre-
sentation included, /, as member of tn
Democratic party, am ready o5give hin
a cordial and determined support. To th
exact exteut to which he shall adhere t
the Constitution, restoring the old Unio
III mean the Union founded upon til
Federal idea: State lines, State rights
State sovereignty the supremacy Ct til
General Government within its delegate
powers, and the supremacy of the Stat
i lGnvernments within the limits of thni