The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-02-14
Jackson Anniversary at Wooster.
Remarks of Jno. Mcsweeney Esq.
SECOND REGULAR TOAST.
"Ihc Democratic Pdrtu.'

The response was delivered by John
McSweeney, Esq. Mr.. McSweeney isa
prominent lawyer of Wooster, and judg-
ing from the reception accorded him by
the auditory, he is a prime favorite with
the Democracy. His speech was the
sensation of the occasion. Round after
round of applause followed his appear
ance on the platform, and when at length
he was permitted to proceed, he spoke
las follows:
| Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS /:
There has been assigned to me prolific
land fruitful theme-the Democratic par
lty. To elaboyate, to give its history,
would be to inrrude within a compass
not permitted to us in the distribution
of time-the history of party replete
with splendor, brilliant from the organi
zation and origin of our government
that you cannot expect of me tonight.
THE Democratic party of this land of
ours is known by its deeds. Its history
lis the history of the poor against the
Oppression of the rich. Its history is
the 'short and simple annals of the
Ipoor," guarded by Legislative enact
ment against the monopoliking power Of
the arstocracy, who, in the language of
Jefferson, ''think they are torn to ride,
booted and spnrred over the down-trod-
den sons of men," That is Democracy
Democracy is progressive antagonism
against aristocracy. The government Of
the people by the people, for the people,
is Democracy and the mission of the
Democratic party. What is its history !?
'Tis written all along the line Of our coun-
TRY. What are its opponents That is
more to the point. What thing is op-
posed to the Democratic party? What
thing has thwarted its progressive move
ment and its onward march from glory
to glory9 Why, the opponents of the
Democracy, after wearing out and dis
gracing each name under which they
fought against US, have slipped off the
skin and hide of each name, as they dis
graced it, until now when school boy
is ASKED to recite the names of those
who opposed the Democratic party, it
requires an antiquarian to hunt up the
nomenclature of rascality wherewith
they were clothed. But through it all has
come the grand old name of the Demo-
cratic party unchanged-a party in
peace, party in war, recognizing the
rights of men-a party with principles
large and extensive enough for peace,
and as you have just heard in the history
of our hero, large enough for war.
Against US to day is arrayed the Black
Republican party-black enough-as
some fellow said, s.black as hell with the
lights put out" Cheers and laughter.
Against us is arrayed that party-that
party that has led our land to dissension
and opened a million graves; that party
that has engendered hate; that party
that has erected military tribunals and
hung defenseless women; that party
that, for speaking words of truth and
soberness, banished Clement L. Vallan-
digham to the land of the stranger, and
on the night of his banishment,an6 after
he was gone, didn't We make old David
Tod, who has passed under the rod, and
who has gone home to his God,didn't we
make him hear shouts for Vallandigham !?
Applause. -
We had about as pleasant little wake
for dead party there as any distinguish
ed Irishman could wish to see at an Irish
funeral. Laughter. They often talk
about this "dead party" We always
have a lively wake, ,and some white chok-
ed preacher, tired Of yelling scopper-
head" annually breaches our funeral;
but here we are tonight to sing it and
preach it ourselves. They bury US often,
but like John Barleycorn, every time
they bury US we come up again and
"sore surprise them ALL" This Demo-
cratic party is still living it is vital with
energy; it has got on its side the nerve
of youth; it has got the arm of labor;
| it has got the honest sweat of honest
poor men. This is the party that is op-
posed to the transaction-for don't
know what else to call it--that / have
| just mentioned.
The days of glorious integrity among
our statesmen appears to have gone by.
There was a time when our statesmen
Madison, Jefferson, Jackson were poor
and pure.s Now grab is the game from
U. S. Grant.-U. S., the Unparalleled
Sponge (aWlause and laughter clear
down to the lowest spawn that sticks a
beer barrel with revenue stamp; it is
all sponge and grab. Renewed laugh
ter and loud applause; voice, "Hit 'em
again' Certainly l amt half through
with them yet And now, sir, in the
midst of taxation, in the midst of reve-
nue. stamps clinging to us like the shirt
of Nessus, all over taxes from our head
to our feet, we 60 ahead of British tax
alton, which was forcibly described by
an English statesman. Their swindow
panes were taxed, he said their outgo
ling was taxed and their incoming. but
he said finally they were carried off to
the grave, where the tax-gatherer could
reach them no more. Sir, we have i'm
proved vastly on that After you have
got the man in his taxed grave and taxed
coffin, then you go to the Probate Jud
Ige's Office and tax the little substance
that is left to the widow and orphan.
We have beaten British taxation. We
90 beyond the grave and tax, tax, tax,
until our patience is taxed. Yes, sir;
our patience is taxed; and that is tax
we amt going to pay except in Demo
cratic ballots next fall.
There is no escape from taxation. If
we take the wings of the morning O,tax
gather, thou art there If we fly to the
mountains, the ax-gatherer is there. II
we 90 to the depth of the valley, he is
there. The only blessed creature on
earth is the untaxed Indian mentioned
in the law. 0, that | was an Indian,and
could feel how it would be not to be tax
ed Everything else is taxed and
stamped, stamped and taxed, taxed and
stamped, until feel like an old Chris
tian who inquiries where shall rest be
found? where shall the weary soul. the
taxed and stamped weary sou, find rest !?
l[Applause And there is no rest out