Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-02-27
MEETING OF THE FRANx11N crN4;R,

MEETING OF THE FRANKLIN CENTRAL
DEMOCRATIC GLUB.-Last evening a large
audience assembled at Thurman Hall, the
occasion of the meeting of the franklin
Central Democratic club. SO
| 3, On account of the absence of Mr.: Fol-
lett, who was to5have addressed the Club,
Hon. John III. Putnam had only very
brief notice from the committee of
the desire. of the Club to hear him.
Mr.. Putnam delivered a well-digested and
eloquent speech of about an hours length,
in which he ridiculed the idea put forward
by our adversaries. that the Democratic
party had ceased to exist; that it was dead
as an organization; yet their actions belle
their words. Thefear of the opposition of
the Democratic party prevents them from
carrying out their most cherished objects.
The Democratic party can not die. Its
cause is the cause of truth and "Ged's eter-
nal years are hers.'' The party may suffer
defeat, and the waves of passion and preju-
dice may roll over the land and blind the
eyes of the people to their own interests
and to the interests of the Republic; but
the sober second thought will cause, the
people to consider and ensure our success.
The financial crisis, the inequality of taxa
tion, the monopolies in legislation, both
State and National, will crush the party
which 'legislates for the few and robs the
many. Let us of the Democratic party be
but true to our principles, and bold, cour-
ageous in the enunciation of them7and vic
tory will perch upon our banners.r Mr..
Putnam was frequently applauded during
the delivery of his remarks. Lg& -
At the conclusion of Mr.. Putnam's re-
marks, Judge Thurman was called out, and
responded in his usual eloquent and forci-
BILE manner. Judge Thurman dissected the
Congressional Military bill, which places
one-third of the country under martial
law; which is in fact no law at all, but what
thecommander deems it expedient to do,
he beingthe sole Judge, not only of what
constitutes crime, but of what its punish
ment shall be. Congress stultifies truth and
establishes a despotism. By the same rule
that South Carolina is subjected to such a
law,the liberties, nay the political existence,
of Ohio are liable to be destroyed. Thesole
object of Congress is to establish oneleon-
solidated despotism, and place all power in
the hands of Congress. The Fathers of the
Republic established different departments
of government as check to each other
Butnow Congress is trying to overthrow
the President and to ignore the Supreme
Court. The Presidents veto power, his
functions in the law-making power, are set
aside by the mere fiat of Congress IS
Impeachment was resorted to, simply to
get rid, of a President who refused to be-
come the tool of party. The Convention
which framed the Constitution, gave only
one vote to the proposition to suspend the
President from Office pending impeach-
ment. But Congress proposes to override
the plain letter of the ,Constitution-to re-
move the President and try him afterwards
Judge Thurman's speech was one of the
most able and eloquent efforts which it ever
has been our good fortune to hear. We
wisheyery Democrat in the country could
listen to the admirable speech of which we
have given brief but imperfect synopsis.
srs a. E. E.F.BINGHAM, President.
E. T. DELANY, Secretary. 7e'c5Q