The Van Buren press., 1868-09-04
Address Of Major Z c. BOudinOt Deliver
ed at the Grand Democratic Barbecue,
on the 9th August 1868. in
Crawford County, Arkansas.

~
speak, to do AL in his power 20 accom-.
pli,h the overthrow Of that party whose
reckless course is fast driving our com-
try into bankruptcy, and will eventually
cover the nation with DISGRACE I'm the
campaign Just opening the -luggard has
no placc, the man of action can alone be
useful. NJ one should he deferred from
aiding in the glorious crusade against
evil and injustice, 10y the nlDUHdcd belief
that he ha, no influence. All possess
more or les, power, (mural power |
mcan) and like the man with hut one tai.
cnt, i, u, much bound to use that power
as he who can sway the passions of the
multitude by the happy use of language.
All are responsible for the future SO far
as it depends for its shaping upon the
present Nor can the fair ladies before
us be excused from service The opin-
ions of man rarely lose the coloring re
ccivcd at the freSide. The knights of
old were wont to risk life for the wishes
of the ladies those smiles have not lost
their power, nor have the knights in the
political arena lost their susceptibility
The questions now at issue are questions
involving principles big with importance.
1t is no less than the life Of the American
Republic. In discussing these issues |
do not feel called upon to attack the pri.
yate character of the Radical candidate
or to allude to his standing as an mdiyid-
ual member of community SO far as his
ability and integrity is concerned, it can
not make or mar the good or evil effect
of the adoption Of the principles of his
party AS promulgated at Chicago and de
veloped by the history of the conduct of
that party. A lack Of generosity and
magnanimity has marked the course of
the Radical party ever since the Confedc-
rate banner was furled and the Contedc.
rate cannon ceased to roar 4 host of
specifics have been prepared by Congress,
to cure the disorders of the nation Con
gress has been fruitful in plans for the
restoration of the Uaion Plan after
plan has been submitted to the vanquish-
ed people of the South, and every one
covered with plague spots of dishonor,
No statcsmanlike plan has ever been Of
fercd, Nothing breathing the spirit of
cancellation, Of generosity. Nothing
worthy the Successors of Clay, of Web
ster, of Calhoun, and the long list of glo-
rious spirits who in times past guarded
the citadel of the Constitution and the
temple of liberty. Over three years has
been consumed by the Radical party in
eflecting. or pretending to effect, a re-
s9rai9a on of taS uSSEPd5Fg q StafGhf tsahfGGh plans
as the lith Amendment, and the Military
despotism bills consumed in fixing upon
an unwilling people, the obnoxious poll
cy of negro suffrage and partial negro
supremacy. And these States are not vet
all in the Union. Think you, all this has
been the work of earnest, honest patriot
ism ; Can You believe they have desired
Il restoration? 1t cannot be. All this
tinkering with the Constitution; all this
violation of its provisions; all this
trampling upon the liberties of the people,
under the pretext ofrcstoring the Union.
has been prompted by a desire for the re-
tenton Of political or party power and
unlimited pillaging Of the peoples treas.
ury
But, fellow citizens, some Of the States
Of the South have been forced by fraud
and villainy to bow the knee to Baal and
worship the craven images of Radicalism.
Your State is of that number. Early in
this grand stecple chase after money, your
State was invaded by horde more de
structiye than the Huns, the Goths or
the Nandals. Men who were without
honor or worth at home came abroad in
search Of plumber, knowing that great
number of the leading and influential men
Of your State were dislranchiscd; polit-
icallv chained hand md foot and bound
to the rock of tyranny, they came to play
the vulture. With all thcirworldly goods
contained in the contracted limits of Il
diminutiye carpet.bag,' their hearts
filled with evil, they came to aid in the
{" glorious work of Congressional Recon
struction.' BY these political incendia
ries, false opinions We're rapidly promul-
gated throughout the North. The friends
of Constitutional liberty were grossly
and outrageously deceived and made to
believe the people of the South were still
ripe for another rebellion. That treason
was rampant among them, and the life Of
4 Union man or colored man was
altogether unsafe. BY the aid of this
false and wicked impression, the traitors
Of the North were enabled to carry the
elections. This SO cmboldened the mem.
bers of Congress, that they unhesitating.
ly stepped outside of the Constitution,
tore away the barrier Of the peoples lib.
critics and passed the infamous measures