The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-10-03
Pendleton on Blair.

While making speech at Cleveland, a
week ago, Mr.. Pendleton was Intercepted b,
the editor of the Cleveland Leaaer on variou.
points. Mr.. P. replied apparently to the
editors entire satisfaction. Among the ques
tons put was the following:
"Do you endorse the programme of the Demo.
cratic candidate for the Vice Presidency. Gen
Frank Blair, stated by himself in his letter ia
Col. Broadhead as follows: There is but one
way to restore the Government and the Consti.
tuition and that is for the President elect to de.
clare these acts the reconstruction acts null and
VOID, compel the army to undo its usurpation at
the south, disperse the carpet-bag State Govern
ments, allow the white people to reorganize their
own governments and elect Senator's and Repre-
! sentatlves. The House of Representatives will
contain a majority of Democrats from the North,
and they will admit the Representatives elected
by the white people of the South With the coop
Grafton of the President it will not be difficult
70 compel tho Senate to the obligations of the
Constitution"
To which Mr.. Pendleton replied:
This gentlemen wants to know whether en-
dorse that programe or not. I don't quite agree
with Gen. Blair that that is the only way. but |
can tell you that I think it is very good way,
l doubt very much whether it will be necsssarv
to do anything of the kind.
What are these governments that have been
erected and put over the people of the South nv
the military power of the United States? They
are despotisms. They are founded not upon the
Will OF the people, but made according to the
will of congress. These States have been admit.
ted within the last meath into the Union under
Constitutions which they abhor; under instl,u-
tons which they detest; constitutions and insti-
tons imposed upon them originally by the mill
M no r., I, - -
there by that same military power. They are
founded upon one simple idea. that is the eyclu-
sion from ali governmental power of all that is
intelligent, all that Is virtuous all that is good
III the resident white population of the South.
and admitting to the political power the lately
franchised slave and that meaner than the mean.
est thing of all things that creep upon Gods
iootstool-the carpet-baggcr. Why, gentlemen
do you believe that those constitutions can stand
or that they ought to stand r'No, no"'1 All
history is against it tradition and the expert
ence of our race against it. Why, if YOU
Will read the proceedings Of the last two DAYS in
congress you will read the pathetic appeal that
was made by gentleman who was recently adj
mltted as a member Of congress from the reor-
gained state Of South Carolina but who has
still upon the soles OF his feet the dust Of Mass
achusetts laughter and you will find, he SAYS,
unless the congress Of the United States shall
negroes
South these governments the product of eigh-
teen months dsspotism, will pass away OF them
selves before the November election. Applause
Why, gentleinen, | picked up a paper last
night, and TO ny utter horror ! found in the re-
constructed state 81 Georgia, where there has
been fight going for a good while 10 use
the language OF the New York Herala between
the scaiavsgs and carpet-baggers" saw in
that lately reconstructed state, bv reports that
they have turred out of ths House of Repre-
sentatives twssty-four negro members. by the
votes OF the republicans themselves Applause
Why, gentlemen, i. this process is 10 20 on. there
Will be no sort sf necessity for Frank Blairs re-
construction.
am inclined 10 think that everything viii 20
along very p.ocsably, and very comfortably in
that part of the country. providing that illegal
and unconstitutional powers on the par, of the
Federal Government are withheld. | doat hes.
itate 70 say to ysu in response to that question
that believe those reconstruction acts from be-
ginning TO end are uncoAstitutions revolution
ary, and utterly void. Great applause don,
hesitate - say that everything that has been done
under them should be undons, unless tho undo
ing OF II will cost more trouble than the cor
reotlnS stls Sometimes you know, out of those
things thai have no Justification. except the mere
brute force vh!eh mas been able to ex eeuto them
sAch force may crate at times but it may COS.
more to undo it than to submit for time. Pos
slbly We may have 70 experience such state Of
things in the future. but | am in favor, if ever
the democratic party gets in power of takirsy |
away from the people Of those states tho illegl.
and revolutionary surthens that have been iE-
posed upon them BY the Federal Government
and OF restoring them to the union. with all Their
lawful powers under the constitution Cries Of !
Amen And that is the sublime theory of our
party now. l. is not Observation-Disclosures as
my friend said, implied destruction is recon
structon Of the states-recon.truction of the gov
ernments-reconstruction Of civil liberty-recon-
struction Of thesharmony and peace which TO,
eighty years marked the government, when i. |
was administered according to the letter of GUY
beautiful constitution. applause
But now have SONS questions TO ask this ren- |
tlemsn on this point Is he in favor of these
earpet-bag governments that have been set mp |
there! Is he in favor OF sending the army Of the
United States to the south for the purpose q |
making contributions for this people : Whether i
he believe, in the declaration which was made in |
1860, by Gen. Grant. when he was sent south to |
inquire ID to the condition of this people Wheth.
er he believes they were prepared to submit |
themselves In good faith to the power of the Uni
ted States-tO be loyal citizens III peace as they |
were valiant enemies in the war? Let us hear |
whether this condition OF affairs that exists there
now is to be the perpetual condition of the south
Let us understand whether We are always to have |
tins kind OF government maintained over the |
heads OF the people by the military power of the |
United States. Let us know whether there is n |
time when the Federal Government should cease
its usurpations and leave to these states the alb
solute control of all their domestic affairs, with
out intrusion or interference from any quarter |
(Applause.)