The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-07-28
WooDsFIELD. MONROE COUNTY, OHIO. JULY % 1888

w UUUNI lIu.
| bly, is the worst despotism in the world
lit is the most selfish, the most cruel, tn,
Emost audacious and the most short-liyed
it ends in anarchy. and is speedily fol
IloWed by the'calm repose of tyranny un
der the order of the sword. Recall thi
history of the Roman Senate and the EN-
lperors; recall the history Of the Ions
Parliament and the tyranny Of the Com
monwealth; recall the history Of the Leg
@islatiye Assembly of France, and of tn
Consulate and the Empire, and read il
them the certain prophecy of the fate o
this Government if Congressional ,usur
patton shall run its course.
+ 7a OUR OWN EXPERIENCE.
Have we not already part fulflmen
of these examples? Congress has despoil
led the Executive Of the just powers O.
his Office, and has invested them in the
General Of our armies. It has despoiled
the States, and vested them, too, IN the
same officer. It has given him power
over all the military commanders, and 70
his decision it has referred every question
of Interpretation or execution of the re-
construction laws. And this same off
cer-wielding this enormous power
backed by the armY-sustained by all the
military organizations, by whatever name
they may be known, appealing to the fer
vor which yet remains after thestruggles
| of terrible war-demands that he shall
be elected President Of these United
States, And the party which supports
him declares that if they cannot do it by
the votes of you, men of the North, it
vii! elect him by the votes Of the negroes
and carpet baggers in the reconstructed
States Of the South! sasislastL i
THE DANGER ILLUSTRATED AND THE
REMEDY SUGGESTED. .g
Gentlemen, do you see no danger here?
When years ago, we predicted this re-
suit, and warned against the first step in
revolutionary progress, the Republicans
laughed at our fears--called US copper
heads and traitors. EApplause. When
Napoleon was called on-young. unknown
to his countrymen, never having had
command even Of a regiment-to quell
the revolt of the sections, he did it effect
|ually. In four years he was first Con-.
sui and master of the French people
Here, grand party, through the Gener-.
al of our army, attempts similar usur-.
patton, which the Democratic party op-
poses, az inimical to the whole system Of
Republican government, and it proposes
safe and simple means by which it may
be averted; I read from their declaration
of principles.
"Immediate restoration ofall tho States
to their rights in the Union, under the
Constitution, and Of civil government to
the American people.
go. Amnesty fer all past political of
fences, and the regulation of the elective
franchise in the States by their citizens" !"
CORRUPTION AND EXTRAVAGANZA OF THE
REPUBLICAN, PARTY.
The Republican party is the party of
usurpation. tits also the party of cor
|ruption. Read the report of the Com
missioner of Revenue. Count the num-
Der Of clerks who are seeking in vain to
discover the amount of peculation in the
Treasury Department. Go to the War
Department and see the mutilated ar
chieyes and ask. why they were destroyed?
Visit the penitentiary and count the pub
lie plunderers who are confined there
I [Applause.1 1t is the party Of extraya-
gance-the war party ended in May 1865.
During the three years, from July j,
1866, to July 1, 1868, the expenditure
of the Federal Government independent
Of interest on the public debt, was eight
hundred and twenty millions Of collars,
These were years Of peace. The army
and navy of the war had been reduced;
their back. pay had already been made
up to them; immense sales Of Govern
msnt property, consequent upon the close
of the war, had been made, and yet in
these three years the Republican admin
istration expended eight hundred. and
twenty millions Of dollars-two hundred
and seventy millions Of dollars year
CONTRAST WITH DEMOCRATIC ADMINS
TRATIoNs. s1s
| The whole expense of the Government
| of the United States for four years pre-
ceding the war was two hundred and
! ffty.six millions Of dollars. These eight
hundred and twenty millions do not in
clude the interest,upon the public debt.
II this be added, the expenditure Of each
one Of these three years, will amount to
at least four hundred and thirty millions
of dollars. The. taxation of the year
1866 amounted to five hundred and nine
ty millions of. dollars. The taxation Of
the last year Of Mr.. Buchanan's admin
istration amounted to eighty millions Of
dollars. The expenses of the war De-
partment during the whole Of Mr.sPolk'a
administration, including the Mexican
war, were $50, $40, 900; the expenses Of
the War Department for 1868 were SIPS
1850, 600. In one year Of Republican ad
ADMINISTRATION, in time Of peace. the War
Department spent 100000, 600 more thar
Ia four years Democratic administration
did in the time Of war. [ Applause. L
The Navy Department for four years
before the war, cost S62, 10000. Then
our commerce was prosperous, our ships
sailed on every sea and landed in every
lharbor. To-day we have no commerce
Ia foreign flag covers all the trade to our
sea ports. The eship:builders of Maine
are starving for want Of occupation, and
yet the estimates for the navy, for the
4 current four years, 3 sl17,470, 900.
FINANCE AND TAXATION.