Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-12
FROM PORTSMOUTH.
Speeches of Judge Thurman, Hon. =
h. Putnam and M. G. Nichols, ESQ.

to see the Hon. Allen G. Thurman, and
hear him speak upon the relative positions
of the two great political parties, was large,
intelligent, and full of confidence that the
State of Ohio could not be handed over to
the colored population, to be run for the
benefit of National Banks, .bond-holders
and New England manufacturers. There
is in this campaign. so tar, a marked differ
ence from campaigns of other years. Eve
ry one who attended the meetings to-day
and last Monday in Waverly, showed an
all-pervading desire to hear every sentence
spoken, to listen to and ponder what they
heard: whereas, in years past, at such very
large meetings, no matter of which party,
one could not help noticing that quite a
number of those who attended, were there
more for the purpose of seeing what was
to be seen, and of enjoying themselves gen.
orally, than for the purpose of coolly and
dispassionately studying the questions in
issue. with view to vote honestly, intelli-
gently, and hoping that their ballots might
rebound to the stability and welfare OF the
country rather than to the triumph of
uAhhy AO1dhCAIy WCu1 WlOu buO NICW
of swelling the crowd, and feeling satisfied
if their party could muster larger gath
ering and make a finer show than. their
opponents. All this seems now wonderful
ly changed. The great mass OF people here
to-day seemed, almost without an excep-
ton, intent only on learning from
the arguments and reasonings the du-
ty they owe to their country,
to themselves and to their children. And
from what 1 have already witnessed I un-
hesitatingly make the prediction that the
vote in Ohio next October will not
be strictly party one. Judging from
the tenor and burthen of Gen. Hayes eight
column speech, himself and his friends are
taking the same view of the state of the
public mind. For, under any other view,
it is hard to imagine why any man of COM
mon sense, should, at this day, with the
country groaning under such a burthen of
taxation, running daily more and more in
debt, devote six columns of his very first
effort in the campaign to the use of per-
5 Qualities, the stirring up of animosities,
the arousing of party prejudices, rather
than to the discussion of the best means.
to relieve the people of the load the war
has heaped on their shoulders; to the
surest, quickest and safest way of restoring
all the States of the Union to their proper
relations under the Constitution; to the
creation of that fraternal feeling that ought
always to exist between citizens living un-
der the same Government, and which is
necessary under any great
that may arise out of the pres
ent state of feeling in Europe in relation
or even to the actual necessity and reasons
of springing on the people at this time,
when matters so much more weighty and
of much more importance so imperatively
demands all the attention, solicitude and
wisdom of the nation, the question of Ne
gro Suffrage. --.,
But it is as 1 believe. He sees the links
of party swapping, and wishes to kindle the
fires of party prejudice. in which to. weld
the chain of animosity by which the reason
Of so many citizens have been bound and
blinded to their own interests and the
ACCSOSlUlCS. I1OWCNCI may
be, whether he sees it or not, he'American
mind is surely thinking and asking Itself, |
lot what party will win, but what is the
necessity of Negroes voting? Is this the
)anacea that will relieve the country from |
lebt and establish feeling of brotherhood
md love for the Union in the minds of all |
'ur citizens? But to the meeting to-day.
At half-past one the chair was taken by !
he veteran Colonel, o. s. Moore, who, in |
'pening the meeting, admonished the as
embed multitude of the necessity of strict |
Hence, or the speaker could not byfany
be heard by those on the out
kirts, and expressed the hope that no per-
on would say or do any thing that might
ause disturbance or prevent those from
earring who had come from far distance
0 listen to Judge Thurman. The meeting
vas held in the Market House, or rather in
be Market square, for while the speakers
tand was erected in the building, which is
long, partially open structure, with arch
d ceiling, great portion of the audience,
Or want of room, was outside. The Vice
residents, who came on the stand by a
unanimous vote, were: Judge Jas. Moore,
f Nile township, Scioto county; Messrs.
William holland, of Green ; M. Freeman, of
lush; Il. NJ. Violet, of Harrison; NJ. Sny-
er, of Valley S. Bauser, of Porter; DR..
William A. Frizell, of Niles j. R. Dillon,
Rush; Amos Seely, of Green, and John
thompson, of Rush.
When Col. Moore concluded his short,
ertinent and judicious speech with the
lords, 81 have now the high honor of in
to you the Hon. Allen G.. Thur
ian, our gallant standard. bearer" those
ltside the building surged nearer and
oser to the openings, apparently anxious
, miss not word he might say. Thought
nd attention were marked in every coun-
nd the interest did not abate one jot dur
lg most powerful speech of one hour
nd thirty-five minutes.
From the great number present, and the
1ape of the building, Judge Thurman was
,arful that all could not hear him, and be-
an his discourse in these words: Mr..
resilient, spoke in this house in 1S4S,
nd in all my experience, whether in my
Professional duties or in political cam
aigns, this is the worst house to speak in
lat have met, and therefore L am under
lie necessity of soliciting order, for even
my younger days, when my voice was
the best condition 1 could hardly expect
make myself heard by this vast audience
ON this stand. But if you observe silence
n the outskirts of the meeting 1 prom
e you that L will try to reach you with
ly voice, and 1 hope that ere long your
ourishing city will have good and spa
i)us hall, which she deserves, where you
an discuss all those measures and sub