The Van Buren press., 1871-10-03
MISCELLANY.
Speech of Hon James R. Doolittle at
Janesvih. Wis.
JANEsyILLE, Wis, Sept. 13.

Hon. Jas. r Doolitte spoke at the
Democratic mass-meeting held in the
opera house here, this afternoon, on the
political issues Of the day, The meeting
was largely attended and the address
wos most enthusiastically received. Mr.
Doolittle closed q most convincing
speech as follows;
The Southern Safes need their wisesi
and best men to rebuild them, and to
restore their prosperity and we need
their wisest and best power in those
states to save them from utter ruin.
A FEW FIGURES.
Let me give you some facts and zig.
ures in relation to their condition. They
are truly appalling. From the pest in
formation can obtain, the state debt OF
Louisiana in 1865 was about $4,000,
600; it is now stated to be $36. 900. 600
increase $40, 100000 The state debt of
North Carolina in 1865 was about 3d.
100000 it is now stated to be $50, ,OO0,-
900; increase, $1,000, 600 | do net
pretend TO precise accuracy; rely for
the present upon statements Of newspa
pers from the South, which | believe, are
unccntradicted. In other states it is
nearly as bad. | have written for exact
information upon this subject, and in a
few days | hope to be able to lay it be-
fore the people of Wisconsin.
Since 1865, the carpet-bag negro gov
ernment Of Louisiana, according to news
papers accounts. has increased the debt
of that state by $4,000, 900, and there is
nothing to show for it. They issued
their bonds, which have been sold at
some fearful rate Of discount, and they
have pocketed the proceeds The same
is said to be true Of North Carolina and
several other states, under the carpet bag
rule Tell me fellow citizens, is it not
time to put an end to all this? Is it not
time to let the megwho know how to
save those states from robbery be res
tored to citizenship, in order to take
charge of their public affairs?
LIE RADICAL REMEDY---THR KU KLUx BILL
And what remedy is proposed for all
the disorders Of the South by the FEEDER
al party? Do they propose amnesty ?
| rejoice to say many liberal republicans
do, but Mr.. Morton and those who lead
the party says no, and party necessity
says no. If we grant amnesty, they will
carry all these states solid against the
party in power.
Instead Of amnesty--that great meas
ure of peace and reconciliation-they
give them the Ku-klux bill instead OF 4
fish, they give them Il serpent; instead
Of peace, sword. Excuse me fellow
citizens, if | express myself in strong
language. These are subjects upon which
| can speak in no other. But | cannot
condemn this Ku.klux legislation in any
stronger terms than it is condemned by
leading Republicans. l will read from
the New York EreaiHy Post
Freedom cannot exist under cen.
tralized government. Take from the
states those local and municipal powers
and duties which the constitution secures
them; make the federal court police
courts, the federal marshals policemen,
detectives, and spies; give the federal
executive authority to interfere at his
will with soldiers or with his civil Off
GERS, in the internal affairs Of the states,
and you break down the only safeguard
Of liberty and prepare the way for an
imperial despot
Doubtless many men in congress act in
ignorance, and out or motives of human
ity and generous regard for those whom
they believe to be weak and injured but
behind those stand other men whom no
ono imagines to be hunmaniearans,
whom no one suspects 10 act in Ignor
ance who comprehend but too well the
drift and meaning Of the unconstitutional
and centraizing legislation they urge !;
who are preparing revelation, fostering
and increasing disorder; accustoming
the people to violent measures and re
pressive legislation, to force bills and
standing armies in times of peace, be
o,,so ..orv day which sees their ruinous
policy continued p,nos nearer VIC ''n'e
when they must snatch supreme power,
crush liberty, destroy the safeguard ol
the constitution, and make themselves
masters OF the nation.
That is the real meaning Of the Ku-kux
legislation. Itpromoters are the enemies
OF the Union, the hatcrs Of liberty, the
secret plotters OF our ruin as free peo-
pie They will not succeed for the peo-
pie cannot long be deceived. But it is
for the Republican lesdors now to say
whether they will cast Off these evil
guides, or whether, following them, they
shall be overwhelmed in the same con
dcmnation with them by an alarmed and
indignant people
This is what the Eyeatny Post says: {:
the paper which speaks the sentiments OF
that old veteran of the Jriiorson school,
VIM. Cullen Bryant Applause Sen
ator Trumbull OF Illinois denounced
such legislation as the aniihilator Of
states" Applause. Senator schurz
Of Missouri, ia terms equal strong, de
nounccd it as q usurpation OF uneonsti-
tutional power, and refused to follow the
dictation Of party. He preferred the
constitution aud liberties OF his country
to the secret resolves of caucus in ia
vor Of centralized military despotism,