The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-09-10
Radical Inconsistencies.

speech of Hon. George H. Pendleton, de-
llivered at Lima, Ohio, August Is. A
clearer, more concise, or more forcible
presentation Of Radical inconsistencies
cannot we'll be made:
| "When I yentured lately to condemn
the whole policy Of the Republican party
ian influential party newspaper exclaimed
but what remedy does Mr.. Pendletor
propose? He exhorts us to return to anc
Istand by the Constitution-we do not ex,
aetly understand what he means by that
/ Gentlemen, that is true; that is the
whole difficulty. The Republican party
Idoes not now, and never did know whai
it is "to stand by the Constitution. y
They have never made it the rule of theil
Iconduct-the guide of their action. They
have never appreciated its wisdom; they
have never cultivated respect for its bind
ling obligation, and SO they have neve,
studied its spirit or its letter. Whatever
they desire to do, whether from sincere
belief that the good of their country de-
manded it, or that their party interest re.
lquired it, that they have always DONE
Their own will, not the Constitution, has
been their rule. And to this standard
and none other, they have always been
perfectly true.
In 1926 they opposed the establish
lment of the Missouri Compromise Line.
i In 1854 they opposed its abrogation. In
1860 they opposed its re-enactment
| In 1S46 they refused the nse of State
ljails and State magistrates to execute the
Fugitive Slave Law, on the ground that
the return of iugitiyes was the duty oi
the Federal Government. In 1850 they
refused to vote more stringent Federal
law, on the ground that the return of fu.
gitives was the duty of State governments.
In 1856 they passed personal liberty bills,
on the ground that the State should moi
assist the Federal Government; and in
1861 they repealed all laws on the subject
ON the ground. that neither State nor Fed
eral Government should execute the Cor.
stitution.
In 1858 they had possession of the
State )Governments;they magnifed States
! rights: adopted the resolution of '9S and
'99 at their conventions, exalted the idea
of confederation as against unity, and
prepared to array the States in armed
conflict with Federal authority. In 1867
they had possession of the Federal Gov,
ernment; they denounced States rights
called the Kentucky resolutions treason
and have, as far as in their power, by mert
brute force, as we'll as by legislation, re
duced and degraded the State govern
ments. 1850
In 1859 they declared that ''no wa
could be right, and no peace could b,
wrongy that if the South desired II
change their political relations and form
of government, their right could not b.
denied. In 1862 they declared that ths
trinity of our salvation was taxation
emancipation and war"
In 1854 they declared that the interes
of the country required the restriction o
suffrage, and that the Germans and Irisl
and English and French ought to be dis
| franchised. La 1867 they declare tha
} the interest of the country requires it
, extension, and tAat it must be given eyel
, to the negroes.
In 1859. Mr.. Chase, then Governor 0
Ohio, asserted: eve have rights whicl
the Federal Government must,1ot invade
J rights superior to its power, on which on
> sovereignty depends; and we mean to as
sert these rights against all tyrannical as
sumptions of authority" In 1867, Gen
, eraI Hayes, who aspires to be Governo
. of Ohio, asserts that the States have n,
sovereignty whatever.
In 1864 they asserted that the Presi
dent had the power, by proclamation, t,
emancipate four millions of slaves. II
, 1867 they deny that he has power to re
, move a member of his Cabinet.
In 1862 party purposes required then
> to consider the Union unbroken. Il
{ Louisiana the Federal Government hat
. possession of New Orleans alone. The,
E fIadmitted Hahn and Flanders to their seat
as Representatives from that State. Il
1865 they had possession of every foot o
the State; these same men present them
selves as Senators, and they are rejecte,
because the State of Louisiana has cease
: to exist.
In 1862 they desired 20 create Wes
Virginia-they must have the consent Q
! the old State-they elect Governor Pier
! pont and a Legislature, and take thei
laws as the solemn act of the State 0
Virginia asserting to its own dismembeI
j ment. In 1866 they set up militar
government over Pierpont and his Leg
Eislature on the ground that prior to hi
election, secession had destroyed th
lState. s3aa q
In 81, '62, SO, '64, '65 and '66, du
ring the war and after the war, they ad
mitted Representatives from Kentuck.
and now they eject them until a commit
J tee can inquire whether Kentucky has
: republican government.
In 1868 they established military CON
!, missions in Ohio for the trial of citizen
and by their judgment sent them to deaf
: or exile. In 1867, the Supreme Cour
by unanimous decision, declares the tri
! buuals illegal, and their sentences yoid.-
: In 1863, they yexed US with many oathl
and in 1867 the Supreme Court refuse
to administer them.
/ For this they have threatened to in
/ peach the Judges, and they have actuall
S reduced their numbers.
b In 1861, they appealed to the patrio
/ ism of the people, and raised immens
armies to sustain the Constitution and th
Union.
n T.. 1ocs tbo,, nrafarrod 70 cont;nr. AZ