Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-09-20
sPBECH OF
HON. ALPHONSO HART.
Delivered at Urbana, Ohio, September
...- 9Th, ISL .. ...


Delivered at Urbana, Ohio, September
.. 9Th, ISL
Mr.. Chairman, and Ladies and Gentlemen
The Republican and Democratic
parties have entered the field for an
other contest. Each claims to be en-
titled to the public confidence. Each
submits itself and its records to ex-
animation; and il is for the five hun
dred thousand voters of Ohio to de-
eide between them. Let US come to
the examination of their respective
claims, as though we had never been
identified with either, and without
prejudice or passion, seek only to ar
rive at an honest verdict. .,.,y o.
Ifa stranger to our parties were to
come into the State while the canvass
Is going on, and should be requested
to identify himself with'o or the 9TH
er of the political organizations which
are contending for the mastery here
he would inquire which one has
done most to preserve the Govern
ment and to maintain its character
and credit; which one has done most
for liberty and justice and for the
establishment of equal rights among
the people; which one has done most
to lift up the lowly and protect the
downtrodden and weak; which one
has done most in all things to build
up the country in the elements of ma
| teriaI and moral power, which consti-
tute the true greatness of nation and
the true prosperity ofa people. Itshall
be my purpose this evening to answer
some Of these interrogatories.
The Republican party came into
power in the nationiby the inaugura-
/ ton of Abraham Lincoln as Presi-
dent of the United States, on the 4th
of March, 1861. Since then 1t has
had a majority in Congress, and is
responsible for the legislation there.
It has also had control of the Execu-
tive departments, and it is therefore
chargeable with whatever is good or
bad in the entire administration Of
the Government forthe last ten years.
Perhaps some Of Johnson's proceed
ings ought to be excepted from this
statement; but in the main the party
must be responsible for all the work
of this period.
OF course, its first great work was
the adoption of measures for the sup
preston of the rebellion. The his
/ tory of the war is fresh in the minds
ofall who are herr, aud no time need be
consumed in rehearsing that. Suffice
it to say, that after q struggle of over
| four years, and at a tremendous cost
of blood and treasure, the rebellion
was crushed and the nations life pre-
served. The triumph of the Union
cause was essentially a triumph Of the
Republican party. 1T is true, and 1
am glad to say it, that many noble
and patriotic Democrats fought under
our flag and contributed to our success,
but it is equally true that the Demo-
cratic party, as a political organiza-
ton, cast its whole power against all
efforts of the Government to suppress
the rebellion, and was in sympathy
with treason; so that it may be justly
said that the whole work of saving
the nations life is to. be credited to
| the Republican administration Of
Abraham Lincoln and to the Repub-
lican party in and out Of Congress.
Growing out of the war, was anoth-
er movement 1 denominate the Sec.
ond great measure Of the Republican
party. refer to the emancipation
proclamation and the constitutional
amendment, by which slavery vas
abolished and the country made free
forever. No time need be spent in
considering this. The whole Civilized
and Christian world rejoieed and still
rejoices over the mighty event.
Next came the third gread measure
Of the Republican party. refer now
TO the civil rights bill and the four
teenth constitutional amendment. 1t
was a great step to make four millions
of people free Bot II was equally
important that they should be protec-
ted in the full enjoyment OF their
freedom and the exercise of all their
civil and political rights. Otherwise,
IN many portions OF the Union the
provisions of the thirteenth amend
ment would be powerless. To prevent
the passage Of unjust and oppressive
laws In different States, and to protect
all classes, and especially the poor,
the ignorant and the unfortunate, it
was ordained that mo State shall
make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities
of citizens 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 per-
son within its Jurisdiction THE EQUAL
PROTECTION OF THE LAWS" This
provision ought to be written in let
ters of gold.
After tbs war had closed and the
18th and 14th amendments were adop-
ted, then came the fourth and grand
g. ~ Of ~
party-the 18th Constitutional amend
ment. ri ......lr
By this it was declared that the bal
lot should not be denied to any man
on account of race, color, or previous
condition, thus clothing every citizen
with the prerogative of sovereignty
and the means of self-protection.
By these acts the Republican party
has said to every man in the land
You shall be free; you shall be equal
in rights with all and every other
citizen; you shall be protected in your
rights by the whole power of the ma
ton; and you shall have in your hands
the means of self-proteetion by the
exercise of the ballot. No man shall
be so high that the law will not reach
him, and non so low that the Govern
ment will not protect him. Thus all
the great primary doctrines of good
government have been established
As year succeeded year, they have
been discussed and indorsed by the
people, and they now stand as great
corner-stones in the foundation of the
Republic, there 10 remain forever.
FINANCES.
Other questions have from time to
to time agitated the public mind
Their rise, discussion and settlement
are also familiar TO you. 1 will, there
fore, pass along in the history of the
achievements of our party to the
commencement fthe present Nation
al Administration. General Grant
was inaugurated on the 4th of March,
1869. The war was over, and 1t re-
manned for the Government to deal
with the questions of policy and ne
cessity which presented themselves
for consideration and adjustment
One OF the first Of these, and the most
important, was that which related to
the financial condition of the country.
An immense debt had been created.
Taxes were heavy, the public expen-
ditures enormous, and the public !
credit subject to huctuation and dis
aster, if any false step should be Ia
ken. Four things were to be done =