The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-25

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are accomplished the war ought to cease.
Congress- then, as now, WAS under the con-
troi OF the Republican party. This was the
faith which it then pighted 70 the nation.
This Was the solemn declaration it made in the
presence Of the country and OF the whole civil
iZed world.
How that pledge has been kept, let the sad
records Of the past few years answer. lts vlo.
lation is everywhere apparent IN prostrate
States, subverted constitutions and dlsfran-
ohised people. It has not kept its faith in q
The moment the South sheathed the sword,
her people with one accord accepted the IN
tegrity OF the government, and rendered their
prompt allegiance to the constitution. That
moment the Republican party stood pledged
to grant the immediate restoration OF all the
States TO their rights in the Union under the
constitution and civil government to the Amer
II { had done this, the people Of every sec
ton would long since have been united IN q
common fraternity, and peace, with all It's
blessings, wouid have shed its benign rays
over 8 government Of coequal and constitu-
But the Republican party turned its back
upon its pledges, cast aside the mandates ot
Justice, and organized fresh warfare upon
the South, under the cover OF which 1t might
seize the government and overthrow free in
.stitutions. !.
- The result is to be Witnessed in a discovered
land end broken constitution.
Scarcely had the people Of the South laid
down their arms and accepted the situation
when Congress rose in revolt against the Gov
sernment OF the United States.
Instead Of banishing, it aroused the feelings
Of passion and resentment, and inaugurated a
fresh sectional strife. ~!
Instead of recollecting alone it's whole duty
to thu country, it overthrow the accustomed
governments and laws in ten Of the States, and
declared itself master Of the constitutions and
laws of the rest.
Instead Of defending the supremacy Of the
constitution, it publicly announced, through
its leader, that it had "encamped outside OF
the constitution" Under its auspices these
Southern States have been declared the St sui
iects of conquest and subjugation, their rights
and established institutions have been over
thrown, their people disfranchised, and their
liberties. and destinies committed into tae
hands OF an inferior race, under governments
born Of the bayonet and Of force, and without
any warrant save that which the sword and op-
preston confers. We look around and ask that
the dignity, equality and rights Of the several
States ahould be unlmpaired, and we are met
with military despotism and negro supremacy.
It has, however, not only attempted to destroy
the fabric Of States as established by the wis
dom OF the trainers Of the government, and to
stile the Judiciary, but even to lay its unhal-
lowed and violent hands upon the Executive
Department Of the government. This it's rep
resentatiyes have stripped Of it's prerogatives
and privileges. One step further, and they
would, in their progress to revolution, have
vacated the Presidential chair, placed in the
seat OF Washington, Adams and jefferson one
Of their co-sonspirators. and committed the
country to anarchy and misrule.
all honor to those brave and patriotic men OF
whatever name, by whom, in obedience to the
voice Of the American people, the hand CT rev.
olution was arrested insthe very act Of seizing
the last citadel which stood between seE-gov-
ernment and its destruction.
The reaf design Of the Republican party adj
mits no longer Of doubt. It is to convert itself
into the government. In other words, it is to
declare itself the government, without any
checks limits or restraints, except those i'm
posed by its own will and pleasure.
The country never can haye any real peace
under its rule. It's very hfe-breath and organic
law is that Of agitation and dissension. Take
the enemy Of the South. When they asked for
restoration. il turned its States into military
dependencies, and gave to lis people disfran-
chlsement and penalties.
In the words of the Democratic platform,
t'under it's repeated assaults, the pillars Of the
government are rocking on their base, and
should it succeed in November next and inau-
ed and conquered people amid the ruins of
liberty and the scattered fragments of the con-
stitution."
It is at this juucture Of public affairs and at
this period of 1mminent peril that the Demo-
cratic party, composed Of delegates from the
North and the South, from the East and the
West and in which every State and territory
of the Union is represented, declares these
"acts unconstitutional, revolutionary and void"
and appeals to the people to vlndicate their
liberties and preserve their government.
To that call, fellow-citizsns, we hare this
night responded, and by that party we will
stand. Its platform is clear and without eva
sion, aud is well entitled to our hearty sup
port. It presents .solemnly and distinctly to
the American people the great issue Of the Ire
servation Of their government on the one hand,
and its usurpation by q faction upon the other.
Upon that issue the American people will have
to pass. The contest will decide whether SELF
government is to be maintained, or whether
these are prepared tamely to surrender their
liberties.
Citizens of Carolina, to US the issue is vital.
It concerns our freedom, our rights, and our
hopes. 1t involves all that men hold dear. 1t
has been well said:
There is bondage worse by far to bear,
Than his, who breathes by root and floor, and wall,
Pent in tyrant's solitary thrall,
lis his, who walks about in open air
One Of people, who henceforth mustwear
Their jeters in their souts.'
It is from this bondage that the Democratic
party seeks the delverance Of the country.
Napoleon declared the "Empire is'Peace."
The Democratic party, in tones clear above the
passions aud prejudices of the present, and
which address themselves to every patriotic
heart, declares "The Constitution is Peace"
Let us take this as our watchword and hope.
Let the Cry echo and ro-ccho throughout the
land. Let its voice be heard in every city and
hamlet: let it be taken up from the Penobscot
to the Rio Grande, until the people IN their
majesty, and with one acclaim, shall announce,
in the election of Seymour and Blair, "Ihe
Constitution is Peace"
The Hon A. P. Aldrich was now discovered
on the platform, and received an enthusiastic
call, and responded.
SPEECH OF JUDGE ALDRIcH.
he said that, Notwithstanding the many