The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-08-27
" Ask old Jack Henderson.
Gen. Blair at St. Joseph.

Gentlemen of Saint Joseph-In address
sing the large and enthusiastic audience
before me, | shall not insult you by call
ing you "fellows," or by advising you to
throw man in the river, who happens to
differ in opinion regarding the sentiments
expressed, as | understand has been done
by distinguished military gentleman in
this place upon recent occasion. be-
lieve this to be free country, and that
the people will treat those with respect
who respect the people. Our objection
to the principles of our adversaries in this
great political campaign is that they as
sumo too dictatOrial tone towards the
people. They denounce me as a revolu-
tionist-say that | wish to inaugurate an
other rebellion, because say that it is
time for the rule of the bayonet to be
checked. Great applause. The people
of the State of Missouri and the people
of the whole country are tired of being
bound to obey the dictates of their militia
ry commanders. We believe it is time
for the will of the people to be carried
out. [ A voice-"We'll fix that in No
vember."] Yes, we will settle that in
November, and we will do it peaceably at
the ballot-box. The people are now fully
aroused and none of these men will dare
to defy the will of the people. Those who
attempt it will come to grief, and it is
time they should come to grief Unless
checked they will go on until they estab-
lish negro suffrage over this State and the
Northern States, as they already have in
ten States of this Union They will ex-
tend military despotism over all the
States, and negro supremacy as far as the
people will allow it. This fragmentary
Congress, and the carpet-baggers that have
got into the Senate under the auspices of
this Rump, have already attempted to de-
grade the white men of all the States to
a condition of inferiority to the negro.
This is the main issue. The people have
decided in all those States where they
have enjoyed the privilege of free vote
that this thing cannot be, and'I tell you
that the will of the people shall be carried
out in spite of the designs of these ambi-
tious men who have trampled the Constitu-
ton under their feet, and Republican
form of government shall be guaranteed
to the people of the Southern as well as
of the Northern States.
But we are told that even if the Dem.
ocratic party elect their President and a
majority of the House of Representatives,
these carpet-baggers, who assume to con-
stitute majority of the Senate, will de-
feat legislation and win impose this igno-
rant and semi-barbarous race of negroes
upon the country as the superior of the
white man.
Let them dare to do it, and they will
find that the more than one million major
ity of voters who are opposed to this
scheme will make it impossible for them to
perpetuate such communicating outrage
upon American citizens. The people
have risen in their might everywhere, from
Maine to California, and have, by their
votes, said they will not have this negro
supremacy kept up in this country. They
will not be shaken in this purpose to turn
aside the bayonet that is still kept point
ed at the Threats of the white men of the
South. Neither will the Radical party
in its hopeless minority be able to defeat
the will Of the people. / feel an abiding
confidence in the success of the Democrat
J 10 party Of to-day, because it is right.