The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-01-26
LETTER OF
Hon. GEO. H. PENDLETON
TO THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY CELE
BRATION AT WOOSTER.


TO THE EIGHTH OF aAHUARY CELE-
BRATI0N AT WOOSTER.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 81, 1870.
lHessrs. e. B. Eshelmaa, j. K. Nc
/. Bride, c.. c. Parsons, Committee,
Wayne County:
GENTLEMEN: You will please ac-
for the honor of an invitation to be
with you at the "fourteellth annual
festival commemorative of the victo-
~ at New Orleans, and the life and
character and statesmanship and inn
mortal name of andrew Jackson. 1
regret the more deeply that circum-
stances will render it impossible for
me to participate in this commemora-
tion of the virtues and sterling quail
ties of the hero-sage of the Hermit
age, because I desired to communi-
cate personally with the steadfast and
reliable Democracy OF Wayne coun-
| ty, among whom I am proud to num-
ber many warm and attached person
al friends. Although physically alb
sent, assure you L shall be with you
in spirit, and sympathize most earnest
ly in your endeavor to rekindle the
fires of patriotism and political wis
dom from the light of the life of the
great chieftain, the luster of whose
victory at New Orleans was only
equaled by the splendor Of his civil
administration. ..tf 5,.e.s.
/ If there was ever time, more than
another, when we needed the exercise
Eof those qualities which so distin-
OtIIshQd AnHrnxu Ioatcnp st Sc
WIDEN the elements of discord and of
peril to the government are so much
greater than they were in the trouble
some period in which his lot was cast.
The Democratic party, which so nobly
stood by him in the stirring scenes of
his administration, should now, when
such formidable agencies are at work
to destroy and subvert our Govern
ment, take lessons from the manner in
which he met, defied ond overcome
them in his day. Ever willing to
make compromises, and concessions
within the limits OF the Constitution,
there was an eternal war between him
and those who sought to overthrow
it either by violence or by loose con-
struction of IFS terms. a9if4 eue4
He accepted nothing as accomplish
ed which was in conflict with his
ideas of right and Justice or with the
Constitution, and if error for the time
was triumphant, he, never relaxed his
energies until by the popular will it
was reversed and eradicated. u His
physical was surpassed by his extraor-
dlnary moral courage, and his conf
| dence in good cause was only equal
| led by the energy with which he bat
tied for it. He knew no such word
as fail, and was dispirited by no OBJ
stacles, however great or dispropor-
| toned to the means of removing
them. His reliance in the Intelligence
and wisdom of the people was un-
bounded. Helloved his country and
every part of it. He was the friend
of the Union, but he regarded those
as its most dangerous enemies who
under its shield made assaults upon
the reserved rights of the States. He
was a toe of all corruption, both in
legislation and administration, in the
halls of Congress-, and in the Execu-
1 tive Department. ..fH fF .a5aa,
He was the champion of the subor-
dinatiou of the military to the civil
| power, and considered the principle
so well established that he never
could have dreamed that in the short
| space of o quarter of century from
his death armed soldiers of the Uni
ted States, would be used to control
| popular elections in the Stateso He
never could have believed that the ar
my of the United States would be
used 10 alter the. Federal or State Com
stitutions, or could be made to do the
unlawful, bidding of the President
and the general commanding. ~ l5Il
We need, fellow Democrats, in our
struggle with the overshadowing
money-power which now darkens the
halls of Legislation with bank bills,
tariff bills, and railroad grants-which
is arrogant and exacting beyond all
precedenf-that lion-like heroism
which crushed the Bank of the Unit
ed States and subsequently, removed
the Government deposits; which sent
to Congress the magnificent veto of
the bank bill, and made to the Senate
of the United States the noble protest
against unconstitutional usurpation,
when that body assumed, without au-
thority, to pass censure upon him. a4a
Imbued with the spirit which dicta-
ted those most admirable state papers
the Democracy would be invincible,
and soon rescue the Government from
the dangers which now menace it in
the shape of Federal usurpation and
official corruption. We must impress
upon the people the truth eft those
memorable words, of Andrew jack
son, that " it is not in a splendid gov.
ernment, supported by powerful mo-
nopolists and aristocratic establish,
ments. that they will find happiness
or their liberties protection, but in "a
plain system, void of pomp, protect
ing all, and granting favors toinone--
dispensing its blessings like the deWs
of Heaven, unseen and unfelt save in
the freshness and beauty they contrib
butte to produce 1t is such a govern
ment that the genius of our people,
requircs-snch a one only under
which our States may remain for ages
to come united, prosperous and FREE"
An eloquent orator and accomplish
ed statesman has been chosen to speak
to you at this festival of the life and
character of this eminent man. L
know that he will lead you to con-
template the virtues which made his
career at once SO honorable and so
useful. f--..tst,i -.34sil t..tt5ts SD B8e
The times themselves, by their very
contrasts, are leading all thoughtful
people to this. contemplation. Thank
God that it is so, for that indicates an
awakened sense Of danger and desire
to avoid it. Is the Democratic party
of Ohio sensible of its duty, and pre-
pared to fulfill it? Its struggles have
been severe. Success has been diff
cult, if not impossible. A better
prospect now dawns upon us. BY
union and concord among ourselves,
bv discarding all selfish considera-