Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-06

with total annihilation, and desire to per-
petuate our original form of Government,
and with this object solely in view severed
my association with the Republican party,
Congress has undoubtedly assumed un-
warranted powers, and has demonstrated
that it is as incapable of governing itself
and the country as the rebels are of gov
erning the South.
Icapnot comprehend how we are to have
free and independent government, when
the people of States are denied the right of
1f-government and are placed Temporal
rily in charge of the military for the pur-
pose of transferring the government OF
those States permanently to the blacks.
q The ideaof maintaining banking sys-
tenn that is perfectly useless to the Govern
ment and the people, and inures only to
the benefit o. the stockholders of those in
stitutions, ata public expense of twenty
millions per ar; and at time too when
taxation is positively oppressive, is so in
compatible with the principles of our Gov
eminent, that feel it to be the duty of
every citizen to see that this canker upon
the treasury is removed at once.
/ have looked in vain for an answer tend
ing to show the impracticability of supply
ing greepbacks. to the full extent of the de-
mand for currency, thereby]absorbing the
interest bearing bonds, which, if not dis
posed of by some means different from the
PiOoOhb POAlSys tAOo1 AnCtApoOAI
the country. 'h--4'c
Intimately connected with this subject is
the question OF expenditures by the Gov
ernment. .sfsE s-.,-,.s.r,,5s =
Military districts have been constructed
in open violation of the organic law, and
the rights of the people have been made
dependent upon the will of military COM
manders who are naturally repulsive to
the people of their districts. These COM
manders are sustained'by princely salaries,
invested with large political contingent
fund. and are indulging in all the excesses
of Lords and Emperors. and thereby rem
dering themselves despots in the most
hateful sense of the term.
1t is true the people OF the South are
conquered, but if they can be educated
tamely to bear with such conduct on the
part of the officials of the Government and
be converted to such political faith, we,
as their kindred, will be compelled to ac-
knowledge the imbecility of our race and
our Inability to maintain self-government.
The frauds, and peculations upon the
Treasury are unprecedented in the history
of nations. But time will not permit me
to refer to facts and figures in detail. 1t is
sufficient to assert that it is an incontro-
vertible truth, that these things are increas-
ing instead of diminishing, and the past
demonstrates that there can be no reform
effected except by a change of officials.
% Bhaye referred briefyto these important
facts as indicative of my reasons for my
present course.
But there are two other matters I deem
of still more importance. One is the ten
dency to deny the right to a fair and inn
partial trial for crimes by jury.
1t is true that this threatened evil is yet
in its infancy, but precedents by the high
est authority have been established and SO
long as these precedents remain the danger
frrar NJ fhat q pH
another they will be followed until militia
ry commissions will become powerful in
struments of political retaliation.
There can be no excuse for the violation
of the legal rights of citizens.
flour form of government is inadequate
to furnish remedy for every wrong, the
sooner we acknowledge it; and adopt a
the better.
sItis apparent to me that it is the solemn
duty of every good citizen to aid in erasing
these precedents, and wrestling the power
of the Government from the hands of those
who refuse to be circumseribed in their of
ticial action by the laws of the country.
The other question is that of Negro Sut-
frage. = GsFf ID EFCFAfE
A political heresy, devoid of a single
plausible argument for. its defence. A
measure foisted upon the party by fanatical
leaders as a stepping stone to power.
shall not detain you with any detail OF
my views upon this subject.
tits sufficient for me to say, that amongst
all my former political associates who now
assume to favor this measure, there is not
one who did not formerly repel the accusa-
ton of being, or intending to be, what they
now profess, with anger and a denuncia-
tion that this assertion was an infamous
falsehood. have so denied it repeatedly,
and at times, too, when my good nature
forsook me. The only difference between
me and my former associates now is, / still
repeI the imputation and they do not.
There is no question so portentlous OF
evil as this question of suffrage. The Gov
ernment is founded upon it, and the denial
of this right to the white people of the
South and the comforting of it upon the
blacks (if successfully must Inevitably lead
to the saddest results In view of these
grave questions, and ignoring all past po-
litical pref udices, I am to-day a hearty CO..
laborer with. the old Democratic party. /
have no ambition to see that party triumph
as q party have no. desire to see any
members of that party elevated to power
for the reason that they are Democrats.
But desire only the safety of my country
and the peace, happiness and prosperity of
the people, and / look to that organization
as the only possible hope in this crisis of
our affairs. However much / may still
differ with it upon past issues, am hearth
lp with it In its attempts to restore the
Government to democratic and equitable
= s8'.is'ea 4i-iA e.
: Indulging in the hope that may yet be
spared beyond the three-score years and
ten with which have already been blessed,
to witness the success of the great reforms
needed to preserve the government under
which Ihave lived as one of its most favor
ed subjects, and with the assurance that ]
will always lend my remaining influence
and energy to any party that hasIfor its
aim the objects above enumerated, and fur
indu1ging in an abiding faith that
the God of our Fathers will bless usand
aid us in these our efforts to secure our
couutryis welfare, remain, tte
~ Very respectful yours,
.l4rg.ee rs II. HEMPsTEAD.
Three tremendous cheers were given for
Judge THURMAN, when Judge HEMPsTEAD
him to the audience. When.
quiet was restored, Judge THURMAN spoke
IS follows: f-5s- Jus "
Mr. President and Felloao Citizens:
Thirty-three years ago, and in this coun-
~, made my first political speech. / was
then a beardiess youth, not yet entitled to
vote. What then said has long since
passed from my recollection; but the kind
ness with which was received and listened
to, can never forget Most OF those who
then heard me have passed away from
earth, and l now stand in the presence of
a new generation. But /. feel that L am
now, as / was then, surrounded by friends,
and that the same kindness that was be-
slowed upon me by the fathers will be
shown to me by their sons. 60
What change these thirty three. years
have produced. When spoke to your
fathers we were by far the freest people in
the world-now, absolute despotism pre-
walls over one third of the Republic. Then,
the Constitution of our country was regard
outside of the Democratic party, there is
none so poor as do it reverence. Then,
the great principles OF American liberty
were universally cherished-noW. they are