Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-26

IL buolT VOGeS Ou
amendments and their condemnation OF the
reconstruction scheme are not sufficiently
plain expression OF their sentiments, tney
will next year speak too plainly TO De mis-
understood. They will show to all con-
cerned that this is, and shall remain, a white
mans government [Cheers]. and that pro-
scriptiOn of white men is not a feature OF
the American character. tremendous
cheering.]
These, my friends, are some of the sub
jects upon which, think, the people have
passed at the recent elections. Their YER
dict has carried Joy to your hearts, ana II
it be repeated next year, as l trust It Will,
it will be mbered with gratitude as
long as the Republic shall eLdure. Cheers.
Let us, then, rally once more to the ngnC.
Let us remember that we battle for no COM
mon object; that it is not for revenge, not
for office, not for spoils, that we CONTEND
but it is to save our country, save our Con-
stitution, save our principles. We in'ier-
tied the grandest legacy OF freedom and
happiness that was ever enjoyed by any
people. Shall we not cherish it, shall we
not defend it, shall we not perpetuate 1t
We can do so if we will. Our glorious old
party still survives. its ranks unbroken,
and its courage unabated. [Cheers.]
1t stands to-day as it has ever stood. the
fast friend of constitutional liberty. 1t Is
everywhere recognized as the great obstacle
to usurpation and tyranny. [Cheers-] Tens
of thousands who have heretofore opposed
us have this year Joined us. Scores of thou
sands will do so next year. If we go forward.
as 1 am sure we will, with an eye single to
our country's welfare. Isay that am sure
we will, for it is remarkable fact that the
Democratic party has never advocated
principle that was not equally beneficial to
every American citizen. 1t may have
erred, now and then, in regard to partcu-
| lor m si1rpS for If iS not infallible-(IO0
alone is infallible-but its principles are
those of eternal truth. Applause.l They
have survived all opposition and all adver-
sites. Out of every trial to which they
have been subjected, they have come forth
with renewed lustre. They are to socie-
ty, civilized and free, what the laws OF ma
Lure are to the planetary system. Where
they prevail all is harmony, order and
peace. They shed their sweet influences on
| all alike, and disseminate their blessings
| with an, impartial hand. May you, my
friends, long live to uphold and defend
them, and may you transmit them. unde-
filed and unimpaired, to those who come
after you. Tremendous applause.]
After the close of Judge THURMAN's
speech, the President read the letter receiv-
ed by the committee of Invitation, from
Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, of Massachu-
etts. The reading of this letter was greet
ed with tremendous applause. q
LETTER OF HON. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
.- .sffsH QUINCY, November 20.
Messrs. Il. A. Rattermann and others, CON-
naittee: t..- -L.f t....
| GENTLEMEN:-Nothing would have given
me heartier satisfaction than an opportu-
nifty to meet the Democracy of Cincinnati
| Covington and Newport such as your kind
| invitation offers, had it been in my power
to leave home at the time; and especially
at a time when there is so much to rejoice
for and so much to prepare for.
For in our congratulations upon the past
let us not forget our obligations to the fu-
ture. 1t is true that the nefarious attempt
to deprive the Chief Magistrate of the ma
tion, by the revolutionary violence of q
hostile faction, has been thwarted by the
angry growl of the awakening people; but
the yet more dangerous, if more distant
plot, against the very citadel of Democrat
ic principle, the right OF self-govern-
ment, which is embodied in the Congress
sional plan of reconstruction, may yet sue
ceed.
The scheme of introducing ten States to
this Union which have been so manipulate
ed in the interest of the ruling party that a
class, inferior in number and descent, des-
titute of property or education, brutaliZed
| by ages of barDarlsm and degraded by
centuries of slavery, shall, by organic laws,
be fastened upon the neck of the superior
abler and more numerous race, is so al
variance with every theory of democratic
government, so obnoxious to every states
manlike conception, and SO repugnant to
all the national impulses of our people
that it must be stopped betimes if we
would not inaugurate an era of revolu-
tions.
Bad in itself, it becomes tenfold more
dangerous to constitutional government
when imposed by party for the purpose
of perpetuating its power, and is defended
. on the insolent assumption that its sup
porters monopolize the virtue and the in.
telligepce of the nation, and its opponents
are too ignorant, too wicked and too dis
loyaE' to be trusted.
This dangerous heresy has been rebuked
but it must be crushed, and then we may
hope for returnof peace and a new era Of
calm, constitutional government. s-sa
regret very much that cannot be with
you, and that an absence from home delay
ed my reception of your letter.
" ith much respect am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant.
| JOHN o, ADAMS,