The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-05-13


unmindful Of the great difficulties standing
in the way of happy development there.
| | indulge in no delusons about that, but L
cannot forget that only a few years ago IN
Missouri. too. bloody deeds and fierce ami
mosities were the order of the day, and it
seemed impossible that those who were SO
bitterly fighting one another, would once
moro shake hands as friends.
But now, looking at this vast assembly.
can anybody doubt that here just that has
actually come to pass. There are ceFtahly
great differences of opinion represented here,
but fellow citizens, you will permit me to
see in this significant demonstration, which
is so boldly overlapping party restraints, an
evidence, that here in Missouri at least in
spite of such differences of opinion, new
era of good feeling has actually commenced /;
Of that traternal feeling which alone can
wholly wipe out the animosities and heal
the wounds of the civil war, which alone
can make secure and render fruitful the new
order of things, which alone can turn the
minds of the whole people upon the great
political. social and economical problems
which this generation has to solve. Yes. in
Missouri it has actually commenced, and
congratulate the people of both parties upon
the fact. [Cheers.
Last summer, whsn L. in conjunction
with many Of my republican friends, resolv-
ed to rid this state of that unrepublican.
odous and demoralizing system OF arbitrary
acknowledgements system which no people
could have borne long, and which no party
could sustain without disgrace and ruin
the prediction was made that those who
| were to be reinvested with the ballot would
at once use their power to oppress and per-
secute the Union people of the state, and
that evil days would again be upon U.s.
What has become of that prediction
| did indeed not expect that the re-enfran-
chised would vote as would but that was
no reason to me why they should not vote
at all. neither did l expect that partisan
spirit would die out at once, and that its
performances would please rae.
But having rendered 10 thsm the franchise
cordially as we rendered it. did expect that
the re-enfrauchised would feel themselves
once more as children of this our common
republic [Cheers That in this state we
would onco more have an open field for a
free, peaceabe and friendly contest Of opin-
ions, and that thencefOrward no party would
be able to rule by expressing and persecu
ting its opponents, or any class of people
lCheers.
Certainly, so far this expectation has rot
been disappointed.
While the continuation of disfranchise-
ment, the denial Of equal rights might have
led to renewed trouble. we have now at least
profound and serene peace reigning through
out this state, where but few years ago
neighbor was arrayed against neighbor in
bloody warfare, aud the torch of devas tation
was desolatng the land. Every citizen.
even the lowliest, is securely enjoying his
rights. and this peace and security is not
precariuusly maintained by force, but ii is
Z Ia gfF arata NV
the revival of the long lost feeling of cordial
ity. Indeed. unless l greatly deceive my
self, there is more Of that coIdaity of feel
| ing in Missouri how than there ever was
even before the war. And when | look at
| the social condition Of this state, as it. after
all the terrible things that have passed over
US. now presents itself to our emplatiou
ct our people united not only p name. but
united in heart, at the pratecton of individ-
ual rights equally enjoyed by all at the
spirit OF good citizenship which unites those
who but recently fought against the republic.
with the rest in promoting the general well
fare; then see in all this result that was
well worth the sacrifice of selfish interests
and aspirations | read in it the vindicatCn
of our watchword. that love is indeed stronger
than hate | find it, in fact. practical tri-
umph of those true republican princi Piles
which have guided me throughout my pub
lie life [Cheers.j
And you will permit Inc. fellow citizens,
democrats and republicans, to construe your
presence here tonight as pledge, that if
any adverse tendency shonld again show
Itself among us, every one of you will exert
to the utmost his power and influence whers-
even 1t reaches. to rebuke and repress the
mischief. If have done anything that you
think deserving of your appreciation. con-
slider it as giving me right to make TO dem
ocrats as we'll as republicans this appeal for
SO coed an end. [Cheers.l
Thus, in inaugurating new era of good
feeling, the people of Missouri, who are al
ways on great occasions little ahead of the
rest of mankind [great cheeringI. |. have aet
an example to the people of other states.
and / fervently hope it will be followed
there, and no selfish partisan spirit on either
side will mar it here. Let me take this
demonstration as good omen for the future.
This occasion has brought you and me in
such cordial contact, that | feel | ought to
state to yon, my constituents. who gave me
so much honor, with the whole candor and
frankness OF my nature, what l cohesive to
| be my public duties. l have no Sonceal>
ment from either friend or opponent
Many of you have had sufficient expert
ence in political life to know that it is not
pleasant to have differences of opinion with
party friends. In this respect form no ex
ception to the rule. | should have been sin
cerely happy could have followed the lead
of those who put me into power. But while
! l highly respected the opinions and advices
of my associates, ! have always been in the
habit of finding my convictions of duty in
my own conscience, and these conscientious
! convictions are not. nor never will be at the
disposition of President or of CAUCUS
Tremendous cheering] am certainly
willing to yield up minor points 10 secure
| the possibility of cooperation for greater
ends But there are certain fundamental
principles. which form the very life of my
political creed, and with regard to which
desire my constituents to understand that
they are not in the market and know no