The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-06-23
vALLANDIGHAM's SPEECH

| v
Tn our last issue we published the
resolutions Of the Democracy Of Mont
gomery county, Ohio, which were drawn
| up by vallandigbam. Below we give
his speech 10 presenting them. The
resolutions and speech will be read with
interest by all, whether their sentiments
be indorsed or not:
These resolutions, Mr.. President,
sufficiently explain themselves. The
principles and policies which they epun-
ciate require the honest censure Of those
only whose hostility is sincere. Carp
ing criticism we both expect and con-
dcmn. For more than two years past,
the bitter and bloody passions Of the
war have been gradually but steadily
and surely dying out. Continual and
| irreconcilable dissent upon the new is-
sues necessary, born Of to-day, and even
bitter personal discord among the
men of the Republican party who have
stood together on the questions Of the
past, inevitably followed. The Demo-
cratic party wisely remained silent. or
confined itself 10 these new issues. The
Republican party, having fulfilled its
original mission, was rapidly falling in
to decay. Moderation, justice, and
peace were becoming TO its more vio-
lent leaders the sentence Of death. The
administration party. into which, since
the 4th Of March, 1869, it has been
wholly transferred, had begun, from
causes thoroughly understood, to be
odious and even intolcrablc TO the peo-
pie. Upon the issues of amnesty, cf
the honesty OF the legislative and exec
utive departments, Of the tariff, Of rev.
enuc and civil-service reform, of land
| grants to corporations, the currency
question, San Domingo and other SINH
lar questions, it was certain to be con
demucd. Necessity required that some
decisive movement should be made TO
arrest the impending defeat. Not the
/ statesmen, but the mere politicians, the
sycophsnts Of the party, the parasites
clingipg to aud deriving nurture solely
from executive favor, were called into
the council of these Bourbons of the
present hour. The men who forgot
nothing. learn nothing, resolved upon
one more appeal TO the expiring pas
sions and prejudices of their partisans
TO the war cries Of the past. If civil
war 10 fact could not again have been
inaugurated, civil war in form, with all
its legislative and executive machinery,
and all its political appliances, must be
revived in every state, 10 secure, first,
the denomination, and mex, the re-eIec-
tion OF Grant. The belligerent pronun
ciamcnto went forth. The bloody
blast Of the war bugle was again sound.
ed. A distinguished senator the conf
dental adviser aud main support of the
President, himself consummatc parti.
ssn leader. but powerful in proportion
TO the unskiliiulncss and cowardice o
his foes, was put forth as the chief 70.
mentor of this new crusade. But | say
to him, and 10 all behind MIN, that tn,
hour has now come when neither hs
nor they can be permitted TO provoke
or to dictate issues for the Democracy
party, or to ignore those which the revolv
ing years anu changing condition of th,
country necessarily bring forth. Tha
which since 1868 has been but qucs
tiog Of time is now upon US. Th,
auspicious moment, the golden oppor
tunity, 1.-The tide in the affairs Of men I,
be taken at the food" has now, in m,
judgement, reached us when the Demo
cratic party of to-day, laying aside ever
weigh, and shaking from it the dea,
body of the past, yet adheriug to it
ancient principles, can aud must. at on
bound. place itself upon the vantag
ground OF the present and DEFY its cue
mics to battle upon the living issues o
the hour.
II is the purpose Of these resolution
10 establish the Democratic party O
Montgomery county openly and frml
upon this firm and inpregnable basis
Tacitly. and in fact, We have stood up
on it for the past two years, and victor
has steadily been ours. Confident au
that we shall meet prompt and yer
cordial response from our brethren else
where aud everywhere in this and othc
States. Personally l care not for dc
nuuciation or unjust criticism from an
quarter. Upon the fullest deliberatio
and ample counsel with wise aud brav
men of the party take the responsible
ity with pride aud pleasure. ado
too, that as these resolutions are th
, fruit of the joint labors and counsels {
the gentlemen associated with me her
at home, SO also this movement meet
their hearty concurrence. 1t is not
! new departure, but return-,he re-
! toration Of the Democratic party ono
moro to the ancient platform of pros
ress and reform, establishing the gre'
fact that the party, like everything els
10 nature intended to endure, is capab
of adapting itself to the perpetu
growth and change which belong alik
to the political and the physical worl,
$ and retain yet intact the original pril
ciples and laws of its being. Moreove
). as to the movement here, we all be,
witness that in 1t there is nothing of
merely personal character, either to a,
vance or to hinder any member of ii
u democratic party anywhere. nothing e.
cept the earnest and fixed purpose
promote the welfare OF the whele part
and with it of the whole country.
GREELEY AS REPORTER. is sai
: Horace Greeley once attempted to q