The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-03
CAMPAIGN IN OHIO.
Secretary Boutwell, in Cleveland,
A CONVINCING SPEECH.
The Two Great Parties Compared.

YOU what said may be known also. |
there spoke of the financial condition of the
country A further discussion of that sub
ect by me does not appear to be necessa-
nv, and tonight shall ask your attention
to other topics Of interest at this time.
l said, last evening, that we were brought
face to face with a policy which might be
stated in three propositions. The third of
these propositions discussed in that city,
and tonight ] propose to consider the
other two. wfq "a tf
/. The Democratic party does not accept
the constitutional amendment as right in
themselves, although, as we affirm, they
are the only national guarantee for the
principles on which the war was prosecuted,
and the only security for the rights of four
millions of human beings, emancipated on
the LIST of January, 1868.
2. The Democratic party proposes to an
null the banking system, and to eliminate
from the tariff system the quality of pro-
lection wherever it can be found, and this
without regard to the effect upon the busi-
ness and prosperity of the country.
These propositions are drawn from the
resolutions adopted by the Democratic
convention of Ohio, at its last session and
although the Democratic party of the coun-
try can not be made responsible for them,
they are so far in accord with the known
views of the party that it may safely be
assumed that they express the opinion of
the mass of voters attached to that organi-
cation. As the basis Of what propose to
say upon this subject, read the first and
fifth resolutions
"First. That denouncng the extraordi-
nary means by which they were brought
about, we recognize as accomplished facts
the three amendments to the constitution
recently declared adopted, and consider the
same as no longer political issues before the
country.
Fifth. While the fundamental law, as
expressed in the constitution, is necessarily
paramount until abrogated as prescribed by
that instrument, all legislation is, in its ma
ture and purpose, temporary, and subject
to change, modification, or repeal, at the
will of majority of the people, as ex-
pressed through the law-makng power of
the people and that the pretense that any
act of Congress not executed, or any legis-
lative policy of party is an absolutejtinality,
is totally inconsistent with the whole theory
of government and that it is the unques-
tionable right of the people, of themselves
and through their representatives at each
successive Congress, to judge what legisla-
ton is necessary. proper. or appropriate to
carry into execution or enforce the central
power. rights. and duties of the Federal
Government"
Two facts are clear: first, that the con-
vention denounces the means by which the
amendments were adopted and, secondly,
that the amendments are dependent for
their efficiency upon the LEGISLATION of Con-
gress. In one particular only does the
convention express its approval of what is
contained in the amendments. and that ap-
proyal is found in the sixth resolution. IN
which they advise universal amnesty under
the fourteenth amendment. That amend
inent, in its first section. declares san
persons born or naturalized in the United
States. and subject to the jurisdiction there
of. are citizens of the United States. and of
the State wherein they reside. No State
shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citl-
zens Of the United States; nor shall any
State deprive any person of life, liberty or
property without due process Of law, nor
DENY to any person within its jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws.n
Such is the manifest justice of the rights
enumerated in this section. and such the Sc
curity afforded to naturalized citizens as
well as to those born in the United States.
that it is difficult to understand the ground
on which the convention withheld its an.
proval of these provisions.
The third section, to which the sixth res
olution relates, provides that sno person
shall be a Senator or Representative in
Congress. or elector of President of Vice
President. or hold any office, civil or mill
tary. under the United States, or under
any State. who, having previously taken an
oath as member of Congress, or as an
officer of the United States, or as member
of any State Legislature. or as an executive
or judicial officer of any State, to support
the constitution of the United States, shall
have engaged in instruction or rebellion
against the same, or given aid or comfort to
the enemies thereof" The Judgment of
the convention is, that Congress, under the
last clause of this section, ought to remove
all disabilities, and this without any dis
elimination as to the individual character or
conduct of those who are embraced within
the scope of the constitutional provision.
Congress has already relieved large num-
Der of persons, and it will soon remove the
disabilities of all but small class.
The number who will be deprived of their
civil rights for long period OF time is very
small: but that exceptions should not be
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