The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-08-20
General Blair at st, Joseph, Mo
BRAVE WORDS OF A BRAVE MAN.

Wien Grant and Sherman reached St.
Joseph, Mo, on their return, they were
received at a public meeting. Sherman
made speech, during which there were
frequent cheers for Seymour and Blair
This annoyed Sherman SO much that be
suddenly broke off his speech, called the
crowd lot of "fellows,' and intimated
that some of them ought TO get a ducking
in the river. Gen. Blair was at St.
Joseph a few nights afterwards. and being
sercnaded and called upon for speech he
made the following characteristic remarks:
GENTLEMEN OF ST. JOSEPH In address
ing the large and enthusiastic audience be-
fore me | shall not insult you by calling
you "feIlows," or by advising you to throw
a man in the river who happened to differ
in opinion regarding the sentiments express
ed, as | understand has been done by dis
tinguished military gentleman in this place
upon a recent occasion. l believe this to be
a 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 caul-
paign is that they assume too dictatorlal
tone towards the people. They denounce
d L
inaugurate another rebellion-because l say
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 military command
erS. We believe it is time for the will OF
the people to be carried out. This will be
done CA voice. Wen fix that in No
vember.') Yes, we will settle that in No
vember, and we Vill DO It peaceab!y by the
ballot, The people are now fully aroused
and none Of th, Sc men will dare to defy the
will Of the people. Those who attempt it
| VIII come to grief, and it is time they should
| come to grief. Unless checked they will 90
| on until they establish negro suffrage over
| this State and the Northern States. they
! already have in ten States of this Union.
! They Will extend military despotism over
all the States, and negro supremacy, as far
/ as the people will allow it. This fragment
AIRY Congress, and the carpet-baggers that
have got into the Senate under the auspices
of this Rump. have already attempted to
| degrade the white men of all the States to a
/ condition Of inferioTity 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 l tell you that the will OF
the people shall be carried out in spite OF
the designs of these ambitious men who
have trampled the Constitution 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 Democratic
| party elect their President, and a majority
of the House of Representatives, that these
carpet baggerS, who assume to constitute q
majority Of the Senate, will defeat legisla
tion, and viii impose this ignorant and
( mi-bar barous race of negroes upon the
country as the superior of the white man.
Lct them dare to do it, and they will FIND
that the more than one million majority oI
voters who are opposed to this scheme will
make it impossible for them to perpetuate
such an atrocious outrage upon American
citizens. Tne people have risen in theil
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 THEN
purpose to turn aside the bayonet that i,
. still kept pointed at the throats of the white
men of the South. Neither will the Radica
party, in its hopeless minority, be able tt
defeat the will of the people. [ feel al
abiding confidence in the success of tn,
Democratic party to-day, because it is right
Thanking you. gentlemen. for your very
kind and attentive audience, I bid you fare
| we'll