Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-01-28
rho " PLATFORM - of the New Senator



lponed, end hence 1 go i'm the morn
ing early for two days, to my old
home in Van Buren, county.
This much / have deemed neces-
sary TO say to you, and through you
to Others who perchance may expect
my presence. I should be untrue to
myself, my friends and the occasion
If / did not say one further word.
To the people of Iowa, can never
be grateful enough for the honor thus
conferred upon me. I will not say
it is unexpected, and yet know it is
almost If not quite, unnaerited. In
view of the action of my political
friends harmonious and then unani-
NOUS, and still more because of the
many letters from all parts of the
State expressive of confidence
and congratulation, I am, in all
sincerity, led to distrust my ability
to meet their expectations. / shall,
therefore, accept the trust with no
little hesitation, and yet with a firm
determination to stand by and do
"the right as God and my concience
shall lead me to see it,"
Tam citizen of Des Moines; and
yet, if I know myself, I have been
too long identified with Iowa and its
general interest, ard have, as 1 trust,
thoughts liberal and catholic enough
to enable me to remember that /
must represent all and every part,
and not any locality. If cannot do
this, 1 would be unworthy the conf.
dence of the good people of our noble
State, whatever my residence. BE
assured love Iowa-dN of IL, not a
lone part of it-and that it shall be
my aim to cultivate the utmost cord
iality and good feeling among her
people wherever they may be, and to
so legislate as to rebound to the
greatest good of our entire common
wealth. It's entire national and every
interest shall demand my constant
and earnest attention.
Withdrawn somewhat for years
from active political life, some may
suppose have hence been indiffer-
ent to the scenes transporting. MOI
mistake could he greater. A sense of
duty, in view of the nature of my
position and the duties hence devolv-
ing, to my mind, demanded that I
should refrain from any active par
ticipation in political contests, how
ever earnest my feelings. And those
most intimate know more of the
depth of this earnestness, and how
fully 1 sympathize with every on
ward movement,-every breach made
in the citadels of error and wrong.
Do you ask me what L would have
done? 1 answer hurriedly and briefly, |
(for time will not allow me to do
more.)
First. For the good name of the
State and because we have never falt-
cred in the field or in council,
would as quickly and as overwhelm-
ingly as possible. ratify the proposed
fifteenth article Of the federal conSti-
tuition.
Second. Never by any act or vote
of mine shall there be withheld
dollars tribute or debt of any kind
or description due, or which can be
justly or fairly claimed for those who,
upon the field, gave us aunited coun-
try in the recent struggle.
Third. The public debt should
and must De paid according to the
letter and spirit of the national con.
tract. liquidation. secret or open,
shall never receive my cOuntenance
Or support. The nation. no more
than an individual, can afford to act
In bad faith. 1t is a repfoach TO our
good name, our fair fame, the good
name of soldier and citizen alike, to
ask or intimate that the nation shall
DR. will prove untrue to its obliga-
lions. !
Fourth. To the end that the ma
.ional debt shall be paid, good faith
observed, the public debts lightened;
md because it is right, there must be
he strictest economy in the expend-
lures Of the public funds. This in
,ludes an honest disbursement, of
course, mot in name merely, but
ruIy and actually) and so, too. inn.
plies the application of the peoples
money to objects ana purposes strict
y necessary, and that L wGuld dis i
las I would thoroughly,
and entirely railroad SUBJ
idies, every effort to devote the pub
ic domain or treasure to the aggran-
Element of individuals or moropo- ,
les, and that my face would be set !
against the exorbitant demands of {
hose who combine that they may {
ieece. .tsn-
Fifth. Finally, would stand by !
protection to home industry and {
This is part of my {
ooyhood faith, and is the conviction
Of manhood, and this is not to build
Ip the Individual, but to protect and [
benefit the million. !
Sixth. In every honorable way
the interest on the public debt should
!, MI hn 1apraynI nr,1 NC hn Ialf ,
was contracted to save the nation for
posterity as well as the present, SO it
Is but reasonable that the future
should be made to bear its portion of
the burden.
Seventh. Am asked what of re-
construction, / answer, that i'm all
should do on that subject, / should
consult and as far as pos
81 BILE, protect the loyal people in the
late rebellious States without. regard
to color, in every constitutional, legal
or christian right. I think that ma
tional dignity, national safety. ma
tional self-respect, demand that
while the law should be tempered !
with mercy, it should alse be enforced |
with justice, that whatever rights
those lately in rebellion may have,
those who stood by the flag" should
first demand our attention that
those who took up the sword must
not only confess, but sincerely and
truly repent before receiving my con-
fidence, or friendly legislation.
But, my dear sir. L will not saw