Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-10-13
to free our citizens from the draft during the
war. 1t is false! 1t came out 6f the pockets OF


returns given on oath, or not, just as the
choose. The increase in the State and Count,
taxes were referred to. When the taxable prop
erty of Kent County was only SS,000000 til
rate was only thirty cents on the hundred dol
lars. In 1869, with a taxable basis of $4,000,
000 the rate was AZ or 40 cents on tho hundred
dollars. How is this? II is certain that if tlii
state OF things is not remedied the Democratic
party will die of its own corruption building it
own sarcophagus. 1t now costs over s210,0 tt
carry on the State government.
We are charged with aiding the Republican
Party. We are not fighting its battles. If, how
ever, they choose to vote for our county tickle
we shall be glad of it. The speaker then spoke
OF the large siims which are paid to James Kirk
of the Deia,carea,s, for the State printing, init
mating very plainly that the amounts are fal
more than they should be. The cost Of the
House Journal in 1862 WAS only I125-now it il
$500. Notwithstanding this corruption shal
these men go on controlling the State govern
mont and finances in this way No man in Del
aware, according to our Constitution, can have
a life tenure of office. Yet some men seem tc
disregard this fact in all their political actions
We may as we'll be bold and outspoken. We are
fighting for a United States Senator We are
determined that men who are pledged to clique
shall not bo elected. The men upon our ticke
are not thus pledged. am lighting some of m,
best and dearest friends, because believe thai
there should be all erp0se of the maladministra
ton of the affairs of this State.
The fact that the State Treasurer had placed
his safe in the office of the Recorder--whicl
Office belongs 10 the State-and that the latter
had received $50 rent for the same was severely
commented upon. That is what goes with the
money in this county. 1t is time for the demo.
cratic party to break the power of these corrupt
rulers. Ii you do not come out now and vote
manfully against these men who have ruled you
for 30 many years for their selfish aggrandisment.
your opportunity will be forever gone. If we dc
not now break their power we may as well make
an unconditional surrender, and say to them
run your machine !" The speaker closed his
remarks by saying that there were facts in rea-
ton to tile State finances, which if lie dared
relate would utterly astonish his audience.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN A. NICHOLSON.
Mr.. Nicholson being introduced by the Chairman
said My Felow-Citizens- truly rejoice to see SC
many of you assembled upon this occasion. My
best expectations, and those of my friends, are
more than realized in the presence OF this large and
intelligent audience felt that our purpose in this
independent movement met the demands of the
popular heart, and would find an echo in every in.
telligent bosom. | knew how slow the people would
be to believe In the necessity of such q movement
knew how dear party ties and the political as.
sociatIons of years. Yes, and knew something
else! / knew that for ten days the party lash had
been vigorously and indscriminately applied to the
shoulders of all Democrats who were suspected Of
sympathy with the reform movement.
All. that party lasli-that system of terrorism
which Is used by party leaders to control the masses
Of the people, and impose obnoxious men aud prin-
ciplcs upon them. 1t occurs to me that | might
trace Its descent far back into the past Yes, 1t is
the same plan that despots have ever used for the
subugatlon of their subject victims, to bend them
to obedience to their cruel and oppressive behests.
Tnese Of the w9 have t they
matter what their decree might he, they must be
right because "kings can do no wrong" The peo-
pie might have their children torn from them-their
boys sent to the bloody battlefield to die, and vet
no voice dare be raised to resist the cruel edict.
The Stake, Faggot and Scaffnld were the fate Of
those who risked resistance. This principle of the
divine right OF rulers has come down to our own
times have often seen the influence of a similar
discipline in our own country.
The Caucus In political parties Is but another
name for this discipline, by which few leaders
through cunning and intrigue, control the linsus-
pecting masses. Until within few years the pow:
er of the caucus was limited to the nomination of
officers In legislative bodies; hut within the past
few years this same power has been exercised in
Washington, to control the action and votes of
members of the House of Representatives and Sen.
ate, and to shape the policy of the dominant party.
II an obnoxious bill was TO be passed, the genius
of the caucus was invoked to dragOon in the wa
vering and reluctant members of the party. men,
tion these facts to show what this power may be-
come, and to prove that resistance to party behests
may sometimes become an actual necessity.
In our own county, this same party discipline has
been invoked to prevent men from following their
own COuVlCulOHS Tlpnb pOllCy Ill SeleCllOH
Of men to represent them and Their principles
II has been used to prevent men-demOcrats-
from coming here to-day to unite with us in this
movement. These leaders have defty concealed
their own wrOng.dong from the masses, and hurled
their epithets AMI denuncations upon our heads
using every means at their command to prevent the
cOnstn nation OF the reform which We seek to In
augnrate. But there comes a time when men
awake to knowledge of the true character of their
rulers. The Aborgnes of this country imagined
that Columbus and his followers when they first
landed upon these shores, were divine beings and
so they bowed down and worshpped them. But,
alas they soon found to their sorrow, that they
were only mortals like themselvcs-that they were
vulnerable and capable of being defeated in their
purposes So In tho history Of nations, people after
long endurance and much suffering at the hanils of
their rulers, having deemed them almost infalbe
guides, at last discover how basely they have been
The followers Of Tie "yeilcd Prophet Of Khoras-
san'-after having long been delnied by his wicked
pretensions, when his veil was at last removed,
hideous deformity which was exposed to their gaze
SO the people at last find that the men whom they
have trusted and loved as leaders, are corrupt and
vena and no longer fitted to be political guides and
In Europe to-day, we see the people, so long OPP
pressed by their rulers arising to resist the tyranny
which has so debased them. They have rebelled
against personal governments, and seek to he ruled
according to to the spirit Of justice and Individual
freedom.
In this county, we Independent democrats, have
awakened to the necessity of rebuklng the assump-
tion Of power the part of heretofore recognized
leaders, and of redressng the grievances they have
inflicted upon us.
We have met to take possession of the power which
inherently belongs to the people, hut which has
fallen Of late into the hands of a few individuals
we have met to take measures to restore the party
to its original power
do NOT deny that there should be party organiza
tion: hut organization has been used for the accom-
pshment OF selfish and unworthy purposes. Or
ranizatiOn should he used to wield.the party powe
70 uphold cherished political principles aud to defea
and oyerihrow the marty which opposes the same
and honor.
The true theory Of our marty Is that the peop,
shonld assemble in their restrictive districts AM
snonf1neo,lstu elect their tleegates to Convention
The neonle Of every mart of the State should b,
fairly and nronerlv rpresented In these Conventions
If there are men of exalted character in the State
men who have your cOnfldence then their yoic
shonld he heard in these Conventions Convention
properly constituted will gladly seek the advice
mst th right To receive or reject thai whic
a given. such il a true Democratic Convention
Ruf how is If when the Convention is the result o
fraud. s when a fsw men only remarkable for thei
intrigne and adroit manapeinent uuietly 20 anon
the nennle concealinr their hase purp1scs tfor hi
neonle Are opposed to such cjiuues. were they no
hecriyelnot presenting auy true issue to be decide
by the voters. hut secretly working to retain tn
n11wer thev have wrestpd from their followers?
Their tools, 4, D, G, in given district, confe
with n u n tho wires are managed the people de
ceived and men chosen as deleratrs who are full
csmmitted to the s,pport of a few individuals am
| 40 the Convention ia constituted. can such a on
| tr,lv renresent the great Democratic Marty
Wa tinl This great marty in our State tied hand an
| foot rhe neonle ara Sold. The hattie has lee
fought. while they were asleep al the primary cIee