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

for q chance to overthrow it. but fairly,
fully. and in good faith as a fnality. To
this end nv earnest efforts will always be
devoted, and l shall hold it to be my duty
to oppose any movement or combination
working in the opposite direction as highly
dangerous to the country. Renewed and
prolonged cheers.
Upon this same ground am in favor Of
general amnesty. TChesrs.l As l have
worked for the equal rights of men. be they
white or black, so l stand up for the equal
rights of men, be they democrats or republi-
cans. Cheers.l 1t is time that those polt-
ical disabilities should disappear which were
imposed upon certain classes of these con-
uected with the rebellion--political disabil-
tiles instead of protecting the rights and
security of any body-serve only to nourish
a spirit Of snl!eu discomfort and stand in the
way of all efforts at the restoration of frater
nal feeling.
But not only with regard 10 the new
amendments do l intend to uphold the
constitution. | consider it one of the most
pressing needs of our days that we should
return to the sound practices of constitu-
tioual government TIces of war and
great national peril have naturally engen-
dered looseness of constitutional notions
which, in times of peace, cannot be permits
ed to go farther without serious danger to
the integrity of our republican institutions.
In the constitutional limitation of polit-
ical powers fnd, as our ancestors al
ways have found, tho main safeguards of
popular liberty. And when those cJnstitu-
tional limitations are disregarde6, even for
the protection of the rights of some, those
rights will be placed in jeopardy by the
danger brought upon the rights of all. The
safeguard of our common rights and liberties
contained in the constitution are too sacred
boon to be permanently jeopardized in
providing for passing emergency. For
reasons like those found myself called upon
to oppose the so-called Ku kiux bill even
against majority of my party friends in
congress. [Cheers.]
Bnt still more striking instance of that
looseness of constitutional notions revealed
itself in that most fragrant usurpatiou of the
warmakiug powers by the executive in the
San Domingo case an attempt not only
utterly without parallel in the history Of
this country, but without the shadow of
constitutional argument TO palllate it.
Startling as that attempt was. more start
ling is it that such an act should so far have
passed without a declaration of sentiment
in congress, proven ting it from becoming
most dangerous precedent in our history
But worse still is it, that such an act can be
committed, without at least arousing public
opinion to commanding demonstration Of
disapproval.
1t is indeed time that the American peo-
pie should open their eyes to the dangerous
character of this tendency. aud that neither
great name nor an object appealing to our
sympathies should be permitted to disguiseit.
AS for me, l have seen the working OF
irresponsible power and personal government
in, har tria I
constituents that while ! am a citizen Of
this republic, l shall struggle to the last
grasp against its introduction here. Great
cheering.l
l shall. as heretofore, give my earnest
efforts to the subject of civil service reform.
not only with view to raise the standard
of working efficiently in the service of the
government, but to the abolition of the
patronage. or more properly the spoils sys
. TEN, which surrounds the executive with
sycophants, and as | once expressed it in an
other place, makes the atmosphere of the
White House SO thick with fattery that the
sound wave of public opinion cannot pene-
| trate it. [G'est cheering A system
which is Transforming into office mongers
the representatives of the people, is most
seriously endangering the independence of
the legislative branch of the government,
and is gradually demoraliziDg our whole
political life.
Finally, you will fin6 my voice and my
vote in opposition to that unjust system of
taxation, which by means of high protect
| i've tariff. under pretense Of developing GER
tain industrial interests, takes money out of
the pockets of the many and puts it into the
pockets of the few, cheers instead of the
treasury of the people. and in favor OF such
an adjustment of our taxes as will distribute
most equally the common burden. reducing
taxation to as low point as will be com
patibie with the conscientious discharge Of
our national obligations and economical
administration OF the government.