Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-10
What Republicanism has Done.
SPEECH or SENATOR coNrtrSo At s,n,roo,

The following is Senator Conklings speech
in response to the screnade of Wednesday
evening;
am assured that the motive for this visit
is personal in part. | hope il is. In the
unceasing round of politics, nothing is so good
as the kindness and regard of those whose
esteem we value. In return for your pres
ence, | offer my thanks and well wishes to you
all. You are Republicans am a Repub-
lican-we were never more earnest Republi-
cans than now. Your presence is gratifying
because it means more than personal regard
for any man--it means readiness 10 carry the
old flag, with the old dash and determination,
and to win the old victories. The unity of
the Republican party, concord and harmony
among Republicans everywhere, is the mean
ing Of us all. The work of the Republican
party is not finished, nor is there any other
party able or willing to finish it. The Re-
publican party has done much indeed, more
than any political organization in history.
1t has rescued great government from
conspirators and traitors it has conducted
successfully the greatest and most costly war
Of the human race it has administered Gov
ernment and finance in period Of transac-
tons and events more complex, vast and now
Ell, than any in the annals Of recorded time
Beyond all this, il has emancipated four mil.
lions Of slaves aud placed them on their feet
clothed with the garments Of American citi-
zenship. 1t has recreated half a continent T;
it has established liberty and right every
where, and made the name of America re-
spected, if not terrible among the nations of
the earth.
War has gone from us--its bloody shadow
falls on France-its tramp rocks thrones,
and kings are sea-sick now. Perhaps war
has gone with avengng hand to smite the
sick man who dominates the land of La
Fayette-perhaps war strikes the hour for
the Emperor who plotted and schemed against
us in the day Of our trial. However this
may be, God grant that no harm may come
to Germany. Germany sympathized with US,
the sons Of Germany fought for US, and cheers
Of victory went up in the German tongue
from the burning battle.6elds of our rebellion
Germany's constitution is like ours, Prussia
believes as we do in education for ALL and
Republicans everywhere join me in the hope
that no harm is in store for Germany. Re-
turning to our own land, war as | said, has
gone. America, best with the opportunities,
and charged with the responsibilities of dear
bought peace, is either to be crushed by the
weight of her magnificent destiny, or to rise to n
height of civilization and grandeur which the
nationaities never reached, and the centuries
never knew
In the career before Us, as in every free
system, Government is to be directed by po.
litical organizations. The Republican party
is now directing national affairs, and it has
never failed in the presence Of any emergency
Of events. 1t cannot be spared, the nation
needs it yet. 1t has Congress of which it
does not become me here to speak. 1t has
President who has never disappointed just
expectation, and who as a patriot, soldier,
a President, and man, has earned the conf
dence and admiration Of his countrymen.
Turning from the greatest of military COM
mands and of military successes, he assumed
the most complex and commanding of civil
trusts, and he has so borne himself in his
great office that every reasonable expectation
has been realized.
Were We ever stronger abroad than now 2
In what has the Administration failed at
home2 The Revenue has been honestly col
lected-so honestly that for fifteen months,
with sources of revenue curtailed by Con-
gress, the receipts have exceeded sixty-six
millions the receipts for the corresponding
period under the preceding Administration.
The public debt has been rapidly diminished,
the public credit lifted up at home and
abroad, and yet taxes have been diminished
until but few remain. Eighty millions in
taxes have just been dispensed with, fifty
seven millions of internal taxes and twenty.
three of customs duties Is there more that
men had a right to expect
Such stewardship deserves, and will re-
ceive, the public appreciation. New York S
great seal should attest the general approval,
and with concord among members Of the
same household of faith, New York's great
seal will attest it, We have at last an act of
Congress under which an election may once
more be held in the city of New York a law
seeking to substitute fair election for that
scandalous farce which has so often been en-.
acted on election days
The provisions [ speak of, will call into
being inspectors to watch the registry, the
vote, and above all, the count, and the Mar
shall is empowered to preserve order and safe
ty at the polls.
With fair election, and votes fairly count
ed, we need only Cancellation and unity
among ourselves, and then action, earnest ao-
ton, and New York will pronounce for the
Republican party and the administration of
Gen Grant. To this end, let us all work.
But | do not mean to make speech,
and, renewing my acknowledgements, | bid