The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-09-12
ABOLITION CLUB MEETING.

We had The pleasure, on last Saturday
evening, of hearing a representative man
Of the Republican party, give his views
and expositions Of the principles Of that
party, before a large and intelligent gath.
ering Of his friends in the Town Hail..
We desired greatly to hear Mr.. j. W.
SMITH, though, it is true there arc a few
lesser and later lights, rcuegadcs from
other parties, desiring to lead aud school
the Abolition party, who neither under
standing their OWL merits, nor those of
Mr.. SMITH, seek to rival him in the
leadership Of the SUMNER, STEVENS
clique here for it is we'll understood by
men Of sense that Mr.. SMITH by age, ex.
perieuce, ability and political scgacity is
entitled to the position. and in fact, as
the acknowledged leader Of his party in
this county. 1t was thought by the few
renegade democrats alluded to above, who
left their PARTY for the party's good, with
the expectation that the negro worship
pers would confer upon them all the
offices in consideration OF the fact that
they possessed more "brain power" than j.
W. SMITH and other long tried defenders
of Abolitionism, but these gifted aud
versatile young gentlemen will find at
least two things to be true: l. That when
they come in contact with Mr.. SMITH,
their inferior ability and experience must
bond to one of unquestioned ability and
political segacity. Q. If they seize the
leadership of the Republican party, it
will not be because Of merit, talent or
ability to enlighten the public mind.
We give Mr.. SMITH all due credit for
unusual frankness and honesty in the ut
t%erance of his exposition of the true the
cries and principles Of his party and we
have no doubt that he fully, fairly and
clearly expressed the views of his party
throughout this county.
He informed us that the high protec-
tive tariff, made a law by the Rump Con
gross, by which the is compell-
ed to pay into the United States Treas.
ury sl7O 100000 in gold for the benefit
Of a few New England manufacturers, was
q good and wholesome law, aud the PEG.
pie liked it2 We supposed, until we
heard Mr.. SMITH, that the people did
find fault with the law, which indirectly
takes from their pockets this large sun ;
which. added to other sums collected
from the dear people during the last year,
amounts to tho enormous sum OF tUe
handfed and siry millions of dOllarsH
Seventy mill ons was tho largest sum cy-
er expended during o single year of a
Democratic Administration |! Think CT
that, ye tax payers.
Mr.. SMITH was equally explicit on the
war. He said it was made. to abolish
slavery. lie was glad it accomplished
that result. Though his political friends
had not heretofore regarded him as aD
Abolitionist, he was free to assert to that
large audience that now, he vas q
full. FLOODED abolitionist-that he desired
to see the southern negroes not only free
but enfrauchised, and made equal to tho
white man, to all intents and purposes
lie. had always been in favor Of making
the Irish and Dutch American citizens
he thought now it would not hurtsthem
to walk up to the polls and.svotc by the
side of a Niger |! This might not all
take place now,-it was only . question
Of time in the south aud then he. want
ed it here. Ia this, Mr.. SMITH has
shown himself fully up to the STEVENS,
SUMNER issue and we exclaim-
"A hero wears bombastes boots.'
Let not the lesser lights hcrcalterj de-