The New York herald., 1868-03-29
THE CAMPAIGN IN CONNECTICUT.

and Others-The Democrats Confident or
Victory In the Approaching Election.
Last evening an influential Democratic campaign
meeting was held in SeeIy's Hail. Stamford Conn.
and throughout the entire proceedings the greatest
enthusiasm was displayed. The weather was de-
lghtfully fine, and attracted by the interesting
character OF the meeting, very numerous assem-
bage, including many ladies, congregated within
the building. Owing to the near approach OF the
coming election much excitement prevailed,
and the unanimous and cordial response given
by the democrats OF this locality shows their deter
mnatlon to support their candidates, Governor Eng
lish and Charles Benedck. Taking into account
the fact that the votes OF the opposing parties are
almost evenly balanced, q severe struggle for the
ascendancy may be anticipated. The hall was neatly
decorated with flags and banners. Wheeler VIII
sons Band, from Bridgeport, was in attendance and
played pleasing selection during the evening Pre-
vous to the meeting Mr.. James II. Hoyt was sere-
naded at his residence In the square, after which the
proceedings inaugurated with brilliant pyro-
technc display outside the hail. which shortly after
seven O'Clock was crowded to excess not only with
the inhabitants OF the but with many from the
surrounding district. Mr.. Edward A. Quintard pre-
sided.
Mr. James Olmstead called the meeting to order
and read the following names as Vice Presidents
stephen Il. Provost, James II. Hoyt, William Cay,
Holly, jeremiah G. Smith, Oliver Schodeld. George
Loumston, Nathaniel b. Weed, David Westborough.
Dwight Naugh, Edward A. Leeds, A. W. Williams,
James Warren, Charles A. Weed, G. Sidney Smith,
Julian Hook, Alfred A. Holly; and Secretaries
Edward II. Leeds, Chas. Z; Holly o. +. a. Madden Madden. K
D. swartous M A. Jones W va,sls ssiddy Norman D.
The CHAIRMAN briefly addressed the audience,
thanking them for the honor conferred upon him,
and having introduced Mayor Holman resumed his
seat amid applause.
Mr.. HoFFMAN, on coming forward said that the
large assenblage gathered at the closed Of weeks
care and weeks labor 10 hear discussed the issue
involved in the contest which now interested the
people OF Connecticut and the country, the upturned
and earnest faces upon which he looked The enthu
sasm with which they greeted the speaker told him
that the people OF Connecticut realized to the fullest
extent the Importance OF the contest IN which they
so, because It was beyond all question
century, which occurred in state not large In It's
dimensions, but in Its wealth, IN It's intelligence, IN
Its earnest educated labor IN proportion to its pOpu
lation was not equalIed, certainty not excelled. by
any State in the American Union. 1t came IN The
spring time OF the year. just as the SHOWS OF winter
were melting and when the Ice was giving way TO
the genial influences OF summer. II came al a time
when the conservatism or the country, North and
South, East and West felt that II Is time when the
chilling influences or war and passion and
prejudces should melt away before genIa spring
time in the hearts OF the American people Three
years had passed since the In which the Amer.
can people were engaged; three years had passed
since the last cannon was fired and shook the country
from its very foundations; three years had passed
since the armies were disbanded. and, although
three years OF peace had ensued the people
did come to appeal 10 their pre)udlces OF
passions because he looked upon them as American
citizens interested IN the welfare anu prosperity or
the country. There was something required to make
this country prosperous pesdes passion and pre-.
questions which divided the country and see amid
the perls which surround them and find some way
to escape from them Three years mad passed since
the war was ended, and now the people were
saddled with an immense debt. divided INTO two
sections, North and south, heavy taxation and
WaTa to he % peace and ha
mony, but he asked IN what condition did
sy a to fDn the Of e
States and to strike down the supreme Court. Had
we any restored country Had we any united pso. @
radical party, who had twothrds OF both
houses Of Congress and had control OF every
| on behalf OF the radicals that the President was
! an obstruction TO reconstruction. ltwas true he
had pronounced and promulgated against their uncon-
stitutonalacts; II was true he warned them against
a course winch had resulted SO disadvantageously,
the completion Of their designs lie had vetoed
their bills but within twenty four or foryeight hours
| after the reception OF those vetoes The bills were
passed them and except the single fact that he
mad retained these bills for consideration lie had not
| so-caled reconstruction, whatever may nave been
his inclination. The responsibility rested with the
radicals and they must bear It, The radicals recon
| struced nothing and the reason was that they did
want to reconstruct. Their policy was not 10
for the sake OF the Union but Tor the sake
! OF the radical party. They had done all IN Their
power to prevent the reconstruction, their aim being
to subvert the Union anu the constitution. AT tile
present time they are earnestly at their work Hav
| attack was upon the Executive OF tie
| Union. That was a more Important question
| than most people imagined. Many were deluded by
the idea that II affected the individual man only. IN
their prejudces against the President, and perhaps
| their want OF confidence In HIM; but IL struck
directly at the foundation OF the American govern
ment II was serious business and required con-
sderation ii was the frs time In the history OF the
| American people that such thng had been at
tempted, and he hoped in God Il woud be the last. AT
at any rate he trusted mat should II again DE resort
cd to, 1t would come with some shadow OF pretext
to Justify II (cheersD. What did this impeachment
mean 1t meant that although by the Constitution
| OF our country we have three departments the
| majority OF q party may, whenever it plelses upon
! some pretext turn out the President oil the
United states and name another. Tho chief
were 70 dcpose the President and strike
down the courts, and the American people
Ing the States out or the Union they had another
policy which they mad TO certain extent carried
INTO execution II was me policy ol ESTABLISHING an
states solely to the control OF the negro popua.
ton, and had dsiranchlsei the whites OF the south.
upon the question Of negro suffrage, ana
| contended that the action Congress TOOK IN
| the matter was on insult 10 the American people.
Z Dating upon the present condition OF the country,
/ he observed that business was shrinking. values
/ We're shrinking, and the aspect OF AFFAIRS generally
was OF u very depressing CndfdCler. lie referred 10
| the great huI,eu OF taxation ana while he did not
object to IL wnen the money raised by u was wei
| expended, he protested against its being exaeted
from the people OF tue North 70 support the negroes
! OF the South. tie objected TO 1t when Il made men
| rich on contracts, and when the funds were DIS
trbuted TO Guy up the people 70 vote for the radical
ticket. If the tax were gong to lessen the
tional debt or the interest on the national
| debt, paised ne his tongue before be would
utter word against u. tie entered into
| the statistics OF The national debt, and drew
comparisons between Il and those Of other counires
contendlng that the OBJECT for which u had Deen'
chiefly incurred had not Oeen attained. owing TO what
| he considered the gross mismanasement ana per.
nrious policy or the radical party In CONCLUSION ne
appealed 10 the meeting 70 stand oy tie democratic
| party in the forthcoming contest. lie Appealed
| 10 them In the name OF the thousands
or intelligent, earnest, laOcrlng and suffering
men OF this state TO stand oy the constitution and
the Cnion for wiiaolt the constitution the govern.
ment was not worth straw. II was the protection
OF the poor man, WHO could obtain nothing except
through Il lCheers.i They could not be false 10 the