The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-18


publican meeting, at Masonic Hall,
on Saturday night, was quite large,
Notwithstanding the many other at
fractions in the city. Governor
Baker being present, was called on,
and though laboring under severe
indisposition, responded in a speech
about an hour long. He reviewed, in
his clear and forcible manner, the
doctrines. and sayings of the leaders
of the Democratic party theory the
last seven years-their vieYs on the
subject of green backs in 1862 and in
1868. He considered the question Of
reconstruction, and eontrasted. with
each other the plans suggested by Mr..
Lincoln, Mr.. Johnson and by Congress,
severally. While Mr.. Lincoln had
only required the South to subscribe
to the various amendments to the
Constitution, and obey the several
proclamations issued on the subject
of emancipation until they were de-
clared unconstitutional or void by
the Supreme Court, Mr.. johnson had
insisted on positive obedience with
out conditions. He reviewed Senator
Hendricks speech on Lincoln proc
lamation, 10 which he had denounced
it as unconstitutional, and denied the
right or the power to enforce the test
oath, yet he approved the uncondi-
tional plan Of Mr.. johnson. Lincoln's
proclamation was issued IN the inter-
ests of loyalty; Johnson's in the in
terests of rebellion.
He reviewed recent Democratic leg
islation in Ohio, showing how they
had DISTINGUISHED the students of the
Colleges of that State, and the sol
diers at the Soldiers Home, near
Dayton. Democracy, he said, made
war on education everywhere, and
had even attacked the Young Mems
Christian Associations.
Again. in his 8th Of January
speech, Hen bricks had declared that
it was impossible for rebels to get
into Congress, as they we're debarred
by the test oath; he declared that was
sufficient to keep them out; yet he
had denounced the test oath as IN
constitutional, and resisted its en-
forcement. While he was glad that
the deep stain of slavery had been
blotted out, he denied that the war
was waged for the purpose Of abol-
ishing slavery; that long after the
war had begun the Administration
and the country had acted cowardly
in this understanding back slaves
to men who were fighting against the
Government. The Democratic party
now desire, with President johnson,
to turn over the negroes, who had
aided IN suppressing the rebel
lion, to the tender mercies of
rebels. He called attention to
the fact that the Democracy had,
in none Of their platforms, pro-
nounced against paying for slaves
freed during the rebellion, but that
the Kentucky Democracy had declar-
ed in favor of that measure, and De
mocracy being the same everywhere,
their silence elsewhere was. signif-
cant, and if they got into power we
would be required to pay for the
slaves IF the National debt was never
paid
The South, he said, had manifested
their unWilingness to obey the laws
andg proclamations and their disre-
spect to their oaths BY electing rebels
invariably to Office, and no Union
man cduIdJbe elected to Office in the
South. He vindicated the Congress
sional plan Of reconstruction.
He reviewed the financial ability OF
the Democratic party, as exhibited in
the National Government under Blu
chanan, and in the State Government
preEiousf Ia. 1860. In four years, IN
der Democratic rule, cur State debt
had. been Increased $4,000, and not
afdollar of it paid, and yet taxes were
as high then sas now. During the
Republican rule in this State our debt
had been reduced some s5.000,000,
and our taxes not increased. Our
swamp lands had been squandered,
and not a dollar had found its way
into the school fund, although Gov.
vTT:lA LI IIal L.: ME- +bo4