The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-05-11
Synopsis Of Hon. JnO. NJ. Bright's
Speech Oh First MOndayi in May.

sholt absence, to meet so many OF MS
constituents, that the Government be-
ing in the hands Of the people, and they
being responsible for the Liberties Of
the country, it was their duty, 40 we'll
as their right, to call on their public
servants to give N account of their
stewardship,
WASHINGTON POLITICS
AS to Washington politics, he said
that he found them q boiling pool of
confusion, revolution end ambitious ri,
valry. That the disorders would battle
the skill of the wisest statesman: that
ordinarily there were great gulf streams
in politics which indicated the drift Of
events but now we see the strange
anomaly OF all the elements OF gov.
eminent apparently sweeping on the
tide to universal democracy, and then
the same elements apparently sweep
ing towards q centralized government
while the confusion is enhanced by the
intersccting streams of Bank rings,
Bond rings, Land rings, Railroad rings
and Trade rings, which have grown to
be powers in the Government.
The Democratic stream, flowing
from the doctrine that "all men are
born free and equal" has washed up
by the roots African slavery, and has
borne down Federal and State Cousti
t~utions, and made laws to openiway for
the political equality Of that race; and
is new Threatening to draw woman suf-
frage into its spreading draft.
On the other hand the centralizing
current seems to be drawing to the
Federal center all the rights of the
States and the people.
This centralizing power seems the
strongest, and is absorbing all the 9th
cr pc Hers, as the sun gathers up his
beams on the approach of night. Well
may the cloud Of care gather on the
patriots brow, when he sees the bale
ful adumbpation of a great military
despotisn!
When the Speaker at the last ses-
sion of Congress, refused to appoint
the regular committees for general leg
islation, the Democrats soon discov
cred that the Republicans held in re-
serve only a hostile legislation for the
southern State. The Democrats there
upon attempted to claw off from the
ee-shore by repeated though unsuc-
cessful efforts to adjourn.
The Republicans of the House were
lashcd into submission by the Senate
and the President.
The people were betrayed and CEN
tralizatisp was triumphant.
The tap.root of Capitalization reach
os down into the political hcresy OF
"hiyhcr iaw ISM" which recognizes a
rule of action above all Constitutional
obligations, The conscience Of the
dominant party is its standard of right,
Thadcus Stevens admitted that there
was no warrant for it in the Constitu-
ton, and it is to he justified only by
the plea OF necessity, which it may be
added, is the plea Of all tyrants. The
President and Congress are in league
in Wrestling power from the people and
the States; at the same time, by q pro
cess ofdcpletion and replction, attempt
ing to bring the Federal judiciary into
accord with the Government.
Mr.. Bright then passed in rapid re
view many of the alarming stages OF
the Government towards q centralized
military despotism. He then said thai
the "sword and The PURSE were the
watchwords oil the Radical party. That
a subservient Congress, now swaggcr-
ing in insolcnce and rioting in power,
had made concession after concession
ID the President, until in effect, he
wore upon the girdle of his office al
the civil, naval. and military powers Of
the country. That the Radical party
had neither the love nor confidence Of
the people, and from its wretched ex.
pertinent at government, it had prov.
ed that it could maintain it's supremacy
only by the sword.
The Democratic party like q battle
SCARED veteran, Is collecting around il
all tho elements In antagonism to this
dominant party, and has planted itself
an impossible barri cade in its pathway
and is resisting its misrulc and usurpa.
ton with a courage and power truly
sublime. The Democratic party is the
only hope of the country. Let every
one read the recent address Of the
Democratic members of Congress. 1t
rings the alarm, and calls upon all pa
triots to unite in the overthrow of the
dominant party. Its policy promises
rest and peace to u distracted land
reform in our financial and revenue
systems, equalization of the burdens of