Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-03-03

ulS euelnlcS- tPT LQ6 rebellion. when the
Government appealed to the people for money
to pay the army and carry on the war these
Democratic politicians advised them not to
would lose it-telling them that the bonds
would be worthless, and that the greenbacks
would perish In their hands. Then they ex-
agyerated the risk, assured them that the re-
bellion could not be put down, and in the ex-
presSive language of one, that they 'smight as
it to the Government Their rayen criss a. 20 loan
not needed then, and beca use they were not
the men who had faith in the Government and
were willing to risk their money or existence
are now illuminated as the enemies of their
country. But II they hate the men who loaned
the money to carry on the war. they hate the
soldiers VINO fought our battles still more and
would characterize them in fouler phrase il
they dared. But the soldiers are very numer-
Gus body, who cannet be inSulted with impu-
nifty, and it is therefore considered safer to at
tempt to excite their prejudices aginst the men
who furnished the means to prosecute the war;
but this is alike an insult to their intelligence
and integrity; for what soldier does not know
that armies cannot be raised and maintained
without vast expense?
THE DEMOCRACY OF INDIANA.
What is there in the history of the Democrat
ic party of Indiana that presents any induce,
Government into its hands? Certainly not be-
cause of its war record, for that they are asking
us to forget, and begging us to let by-gones be
by-gones. Its history during the war Is pain
full. and is too fresh in your memories to require
the story to be told tonight. I would rather,
chronicles OF party which was false to the
State, to the Nation, and to liberty, in the hour
of THAR extreme peril Certainly not because
of its record in the State before the war; for It
is not too much to say that, for fifteen years be-
fore 1861, Indiana was in many respects the
worst governed State in the Union.
The swamp lands donated to theSta by the
General Government which Governor Wright
said would yield to the school fund over one
million dollars, were, in spite ofall he could do,
stolen and squandered, and MI q disgracefui
page in our annalS-and the increase of the
debt thetotal want OF policy, and the reckless
manner of conducting the public business, the
appropriation of the school funds to patch out
blu ~derfng administrations, to say nothing of
defalcation, all contribute to darken the picture
and make it more repulsiye: and so far from
there being any reason to hope that the Admin
istration of that party, 1t were placed In pow
er would improve upon its past history, have
seen statistics in abundance, going to show that
the conduct of affairs in the Democratic coun-
ties generally partakes Of the former 1mperfec-
tions of that party in the administration OF
State affairs; and that the average county taxes
in Democratic counties is higher than in Re-
There being nothing, then, in the history of
the Democratic party in Indiana which presents
the slightest prospect OF Improvement In the
conduct of State affairs-but rather the reverse
consider, for moment, whether there is any
thing, in what that party proposes to do, that
should lndqee the people 70 place II agai6a an1 IN
1t propose? Whaterror, blunder or crime does
it show in the conduct of State affairs? What
Is there wrong in the administration OF Cow
ernor Baker, any of the State officers, which
requires a remedy? Is not Governor Bakers
administration economical, prudent and law
abiding-keeping a vigilant watch to protect
the honor and interests of the State? Do they
undertake to show in any one thing where, il
the Democratic party were in power, and, with
the best intentions, it could make any reform
or Improvement? And now appeal TO candid
men, of all parties, whether during the last ten
years, the character of Indiana, financially, ed
ucationally, commercially, and in a military
point of view, has not been greatly exalted, and
that she now stands proudly with the foremost
States of the Union?
The military history of Indiana is without a
superior among all the States. Her sons were
found upon every battlefield, and their names
shines gloriously upon every page that tells OF
victory self-sacrifice, OF languiShing In rebel
prisons, of the forlorn hope, that stern assault
and the dauntless spirit that yielded only in
death. The alacrity with which they entered
the army was not excelled by the men of any
other State They were among the first to enter
and the last to leave the field; and have shed
imperiShable renown upon their State and
country Indiana will remember their names
while living and cherish their remains when
dead.