The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-01-23

docs IL prevent d recurrenceof secession
by the States that the rule Of representa-
tion in Congress is changed, ,sor that Con-
gress defines and protects the rights Of
the people 7 The Democratic party has
always maintaihedthe rights Of the States
at essential to the maintainancc Of the
Union The great founder Of our organ.
,ization' and apostle Of our creed, Thomas
Jefferson, proclaimed il In his first inau.
gurah address. The supremacy Of the
Constitution and all laws made iD pursu.
ance thereof; the reservation Of all pow
ers not granted to CongrcsS-tbese are
tho essential elements Of our faith, and 10
these VIC have adhered with unfaltering
fidelity. .-"a' ~
Shall we adhere to them still, or shall
we now abandon them for the proffered
experiment of consolidation ,i17 N
We are in the midst of revolation.-
Radical ideas carried into execution by
lawless means---the anchorage Of public
opinion everywhere giving way-our op.
ponents in power in tho States aud in
Congress; and everywhere using that
power to subvert the Constitution, to ex.
clude States from their representation, to
break up their social system, to foment
discord and disorder in their communities
and TO impair their material prosperity,
and now they graciously propose to cease
this abuse of power If the States both
North and South will consent to their
own degradation. l am q citizen and ma.
tive Of Ohio. l speak to Ohio men,
whose first duty is to care for the inter.
ests Of their own State and her people
And speaking thus, considering only the
influence on our own State aud institu
tions, l say it is our duty, even if the
kingd, ms Of the earth were offered at
that price 10 say as was said to the temp
ter of old, SECT thee behind me, Satan
Let us stand fast to our integrity at every
hazard let us hold on to the sound doc
trine as delivered to US by the fathers -
1t is the ark Of our safety-it is the only
hope of republican government-it is the
only bulwark against despotism
| do not conceal from myself that We
have been defeated and that we may be
defeated again. Yet look with hope tc
the future. The President is firm in his
position and decided in his action. The
Supreme Court of tho United States
true at last 10 ancient fame, true.-to the
purposes Of lis creation rising above thu
dictates of passion, above the behests o.
party, has vindcated in noble terms thu
integrity of the Constitution. 1t has dc
nounced the doom Of military commits
sicns for the trial of citizens, and set the
seal of its rcprobation upon the base pre-
text Of military necessity.
At the elections last fall the Democra
cy polled 1900, 900 votes QUITO 4, 100000
A change Of fifty votes in thousand-o
fifty thousand in a mllion--less than ST,
per cent-would have given us MAORI
ity of the popular vote 1913 a.f.
In Pennsylvania, New York aud In
diana, casting seventy two votes in tb,
electoral college and 100000 votes By
the people, we were defeated less thar
$4,000. A change Of less than one ant
a half per ccnt-of less than fifteen in I
thousand-would have given us a majori
ty. In eleven States oil the Union, cx
cludiug entirely the Southern States,
change of 10000 votes on the result o
last fall will, 10 1868, elect q Presiden
and majority of Congress u.
Is there cause for dependency here
Is there not, on the contrary, every req
son to bopeH Was ever great battl
fought with less disparity of numbers 7
Let him that is timid remember ho'
the cavalry, Of Charles Martel, "fghtin
! with hearts firm as ranparts, and wit
iron arms" received and cOnqorcd th
hosts of the Saracen. Let him remem
Der that Cressy and Agincourt are glol
ious because valor and constancy made u
for numbers. Let him remember th0
John Sobieski with fifty Thousand soldier
rescued Christendom, under the wall @
Vienna, from the grasp Of $780, Turks
Lei him remember the pride and pom
of the Spanish Armada and its speed
, and inglorious end, Let him romembe
the retreats and defeats and disaster
, which bofel Washington, and the crown
, ing glories Of Yorktown. And if h
needs further encouragement, let him r,
/ member against what odds or number
, Jackson saved New Orleans.
Patience and forttude and yigor are Q
necessary for success in politics as in wa
{ Aud what shall the Southern States d
/ in their extremity have said that
p am speaking as an Ohio man to Ohio me
) Of their duty 10 their own State and pc,
pie. / would not dictate, nor urge, NJ
. even advise others. They NUT folio
/ the dictates Of their judgments and col
, sciences. But if l might be permitted
say what lies near my heart, it would |
this: Let the Southern States be passi'
and patient. They took up arms-thC
s defeatcd-they surrendered. That su
l render involves the reccssity Of faithfi
/ obedience to the Constitution and IL
| laws. That faithful obedience entitl'
them to the rights and liberties guarantee
: by tho Constitution and the laws The
8 may be powerlcss to secure these righ
!. aud liberties. They may be subjected !
!. tho strong arm to oppression and wronj
| But they can decline to advise chang
I ofthe Constitution; they can refuse
! consent to tho creation Of o despotism
L they can refuse to do voluntarily tn
s which their judgment rejects aud the
4 feeling detests; they can maintain the
r honor and self.respect; they can at lea
f decline to be the laCile Instruments
i their own degradation. And they OF