The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-10-22


Winona, Minnesota, on the Goth
ultimo, the Hon ID. S. Norton, Uni
ted States Senator from Minnesota,
who here tofore ranked among the
CONSERVATIVE Republicans, appeared
on tho stand and publicly ronouncod
his party. Tho following IS his
speech
Ladies and Gcntlemen--I did not |
expoc. to address anything more |
than o usual Democratic Convention |
when the committee invited me to
speak l did not expect to see the
meeting SEQ heFe tonight. BUTT
Is only another eyIdouee Of The great
desire Tor peace which is growing
iu the Eastern and Middle States.
Abont two years ago l addressed
the citizens Of WinCna. l spoke
then Of tho reconstruction. / said
there were but two ways to secure
the benefits Tor which the war had
been wagcd. One was to treat the
Southeners as citizens Of the United
States, logislato for them as we
would for ourselves. Tho other was
to regard them as subjugated, and,
therefore, wholly az the mercy Of
tho victOrs. When l consider the
monslrous course Of the Republican
party for three years past, am
overwhelmed wI;h as,onishment,
and l ronouneo it. [Applause.l If
thore any who wish 10 know why |
do not support Grant and CoifaX.
and dc support Seymour and Blair,
these in brief are the reasons.
remember the reports and comments
of the republicans in this town on
the speech then mado as to tho
course adopted by President John
sou, and l found they have not yet
taken exception to his course, OK
copt that upon negro suffrage. The
Thirty. Congress passed laws
Tor registration, &C., tor the election
in the Southern States and when
they found that the Attorney Gen
cral would cUnstrue the law so that
there was probability Of thore being
Il majority of white registered, Con-
gress was then called together TO
pass laws for tho registration of IL
majority Of the blacks, Congress
did not hesitate 10 pass laws to take
questions out Of the Supreme Court,
where 1t was placed, when it was
feared tho decision would be adverse
The powor Of Congress over the EX
ocutive was comrolete. Congress
had control Of all the oficos-ovch
tho revenue tax collectors. Congress
had sAorn the President Of power
Us Commandcr-in-Chief he had no
power 20 "obstrucL reconstruction" I"
/ know how easy it is to say that
the cilizcns Of tho South are rebels
and trGtors-that Democrats ut the
North are copporheads. But docs
it prove anythlngi 1t seems TO mo
when the Thirty ninth or Fortieth
Congress is proposing measures new
and unhcard ot they ought to show
It 20 10 for the bost interests Of tho
country.
Take TenRe5se, reconstructed
undor their plan. 1t is the worst
governed State Of all the States that
participated in the rebellion. Cove.
rnur Brownlow ls armiag the militia
Of Tennessee What is tho militia?
Chic: carpet-baegcrs and negroes
Aiming them for what? Against
their nolghbors for the purpose Of
forcing upon the people of ofTonness2e
thereoonstructlOn policy Of Congress
In Tennessee, If ever party proved
n failure, it Is the Republican party
of to- day, Tho Forticth Congress
will count the votes this faN Ifthose
Southern States vote for Grant and
Colfax they will couut tho votes; if
not they won't ! had opportunity
and facilities for knowing aud l kn.
now no man desired the restoration
Of the Union moro than President.
johnson. OF men who are true and
steadmst to the Constitution, no
man stands above Andr5w johnson
When an historian comes 10 set
down the deeds of mon il win be
written down ofhlm-Andrew john
son-"Faithful he among the fifth
less found" The speaker read DIS
patch purpor.ing to b2 from Slvan
nah to Philadelphia Press, the OBJ
joct of which, he said, was to croato
prejudice with a Lopo that people
acting upon that prejudice will vote
to keep the Republican party IN pow
or. Virginia, Mississippi and Texas
would vote Democratic, II allowed