Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-13
SPEECH OF GEN. r. P. BLAIR.

FRLLOw-CITIZENS OF CINCINNATI AMI
ONO: This vast multitude assembled
here tonight, attests the appreciation
which the people of the country have Of
the importance Of the issues pending in
the forthcoming election. / shall not,
my fellow citizens, detain you. There
was here great disturbance occasioned
by the attempt of procession of torch
bearing boys to pass through the surging
crowd. If you will give me hearing,
| promise not to detain you for any
length of time.
! shall begin with a proposition that
believe no man will dispute. In popu-
lar government like this-["Hurrah for
Seymour" and great uproar.] Fellow
citizens, in a popular government like
ours, no policy should be adopted which
has not received the assent Of the pee
pie themselves. This, my fellow-citizens,
is truism. 1t is something that is ac-
knowledged by every man, of every
party, in this country. Not only is it
true of our country, and of our govern
ment, but even the monarchical govern
ments of the old world are swsyed by the
popular sentiment of the people. Now,
| wish to ask this vast multitude of peo-
pie whether the policy which has been
fastened upon the country by our adver-
saries, that policy known as the recon.
struction policy, has ever been submitted
to, and received the assent of the peo-
pie of America? Voices, "No."]
On the contrary, my friends, it not only
never has been assented to, but on every
occasion when the people have had an
opportunity of speaking their sentiments
in regard to it, that policy has been con-
dcmned. Yet, Notwithstanding this con-
demnation, Congress, the Radical frag-
mept of Congress Laughter and up-
roar in which ten States of this Union
we're not represented, have thrust this
policy upon the people; have fastened
it upon their backs; they have burdened
them with this atrocious policy, and now
contend that it must remain as they have
fixed it, even if the people should in the
coming election condemn it over again.
|" Never."
Now, my friends, allow me to refer to
the occasions upon which this policy has
been condemned. In the election of
Abraham Lincoln, in his nomination
and election, it was condemned, because
it was known to the people of the coun-
try that be was opposed to it, that he was
in favor Of the policy sisce advocated by
his successor, Mr.. johnson. 1t was so
fully and completely known to be so, that
the extreme Radicals of his party at
tempted, the last time he wss nominated
and elected, to get up third ticket, or
ganized upon this ground alone. After
bis election, we know that be adhered 10
the policy afterward adopted by Mr..
johnson. We have the testimony of
Mr.. Stanton, who was Secretary Of War,
that he drew up, under the instruction Of
Mr.. LincolH, the celebrated North Caro-
lima proclamation, afterwsrd promul-
gated by Mr.. johnson. We have the
testimony Of General Grant that he was
iu the cabinet meeting of Mr.. Lincoln
when this proclamation was read and
the copy approved by each member of 1t,
and that be himself gave bis assent TO it
Mr.. Stanton aud General Grant gave
these facts iu their testimony before the
Congressional Committee, when called
upon, under oath.
Now, my fellow-citizens, IN The last
election Of Congressmeu, in 1866, what
was the issue3 Was this .hinR OF negro
suffrage in the North or in the South
submitted to the people Was it made
the issue2 / say no. The truth is that
the issue then made BY the Radicals was
upon what is known as the Fourteenth
amendment 10 the Constitution. That
amendment proposed that the States Tor
themselves should have the regulation Of
the suffrage within the States. and Il only
meant where any class OF people we're
disfranchised on account Of race or
color, or previous condition, that those
people should not be esuntei 10 the