The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-06-23
Senator Sprague.
hts SPEECH IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
JUNE 7, 1869.

law ~ presenting my SCH CO you no
mans interest in view. l am for the
people of this country for one reason,
and that is, that BY and through the
people of the country the nation is
great. l have come from my home late
to meet you, and to apologize for that
lateness aud for the shortness of my
address here tonight, because on to-
morrow tits my expectation to give
yon those utterances which believe is
for your benefit, and for the benefit OF
the nation. [AppIanse.] stand here
simply as the advocate of those inter-
ests which will contribute to the ma
TONS advancement. I stand here i'm
the advocacy of any special interest
tending in that direction. Willy do
stand before you or before any portion
of the American people in the ndvoca-
cy of peculiar views7 I do SO because
! have assumed the high prerogative of
a Senator of the United States volun-
tarily.
MIsMAsAGEMENT OF WORKING MEN,
l have assumed high duties and obi
cations. and in assuming them have
sworn to discharge my duty regardless
of consequences. And in flIe discharge
of that duty have in the investigation
Of yonr affairs Come to tire conclusion
that they are mismanaged-from igno-
rance, or from willfnlness, I care not
which. Each is equally criminal in it's
way. have come to the conclusion
that the great interests of this country
are jeopardized and in danger, and
have sworn to show the people wherein
those interests are jeopardized and in
danger. And in the consideration OF
these subjects, I. have brought into
these considerations the progress OF
other people as faVorably situated as
you yourselves are.
THE SENATOR'S SOUTHERN TRIP.
1t has been my fortune recently to
travel over the greater portion of the
Southern States, and to associate with
the Southern people. they, as we'll as
you, are deeply anxious concerning
their fate, as well as the fate of repub
lican institutions. They believe that
they are at this time under a greater
trial than ever before, even they them.
selves were antagonizing themselves
against the form and power of tile Gov.
ernment of the United States. ! liayt
asked them to place themselves upor
common ground with us, and that i.
npon that ground which, Will contribute
most to the material advancement ant
prosperity of the people Of the Nortl
and South.
THE FATE OF THE NATION
T Work in that direction because, IL
an American citizen, I do not desire
and ifmy voice has any effect viii
not permit, that we shall be any bu
the foremost nation IN civilization.
Bnt, my friends, when examine TIL.
position the character and the progress
of the nations which are foremost witt
us in civilization, am not encouraged
as to our own position. And it is fo
that reason alone that have come be.
fore yon, and raise my voice every
where im deep anxiety concerning TIL
fate of the nation. The fate of thi
nation, it may not be strange in you
reflections personal to yourselves tina
tile nation itself should be considered
when there is deep and anxious con
cern touching the living Of each indi
vidual. Bear in mind with all this tina
do not come before you for you
votes, do not come before you for an.
consideration touching me personally
l stand here advocating a plan tina
will give prosperity to the Individual
through him to the nation, and NOR
than all else will give, or rather yo
/
will give by your strength, perpetni..
of the present repubficar, form Of gov
eminent. EApplause.f When l sa.
to you that Notwithstanding the grea
war that You have just finished, that il
my Judgment that form Of governmen
is more in jeopardy to-day than at an,
time since it began to exist. / do no
say that as any idle expression or i'd
word.
When the American citizen is, unabl
to speak his impressions then goes lib
erty; their freedom is not worth
snap. Whether it is here or elsewhere
whether it is in the presence Of powe
or in the presence Of weakness, n
matter where it is, let the voice spea
the impressions of the heart and tn
. mind and when that does not meet
response, or when that meets opposi
tion, your liberties are beginning t
wane. I thank yon, my friends, fo
your attention. Fam sorry that de
layed you as long as 1 did, hut ya
came to hear me because you are in
terested, as every American citizen
interested in the subject matter whic
affects the interests of the country, an