The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-18
speech of the Hon. Lewis Mckenzie at Alex
andria, Before the Fourth Ward Republican


but TO THIS very Democratic party they
brought on the war, which has desolated
Virginia. The State Rights Democracy had
determined to take Virginia out of the
Union by foul, if not fair means. They in
vited the soldiers of Mississippi, Alabama,
South Carolina and other. Southern States
into the State previous to the day designa-
ted to vote on the ordinance on the 23rd of
May, 1861, and we all know that those peo-
pie who dared to vote against the ordinance
were called traitors to the State and South.
This party, therefore, ought to return to
the shades of private life, and let new
race of men try their hands at framing and
executing our laws but acith rare modesty
then imagine then cannot be spared from pub
lie life. and that the ship of iStctte, aoaless
Mcy command, aoould be shipsorecked, and
all on board perish.
should like anybody to tell me what
Virginia is to gain by the restoration of the
old Bourbon Democracy to power. Can
she stand still and live on her past renown?
or is she compelled to take a New Depar-
ture /? Among the family of States, RID
OF HER OLD PoLITICIANs-THE Fos-
sILS-with better hopes, forgetting, as
much as possible, the sea of blood she has
gone through, let her invite into her bord-
ers the emigrant, to buy and possess por-
ton of her lands take her place as pro-
gressive State, willing to cooperate in all
measures to benefit the Union as well as
herself. / think this the most judicious
course. instead of snarling at everything
done by the Government at Washington,
and complaining of Gen. Grant because he
will not turn traitor to those who elected
him. We want the cooperation of the
general Government in various ways to
build UP the State. 1t cannot be had
by constantly denouncing it. Our great
line of internal improvements want and
ought to have material aid. Is it to be had
by finding fault with everything done?--
What has the Republican party done ?
They have reduced the public debt, since
1863, $251 900, 600; they have reduced the
interest on the public debt $15, 000, 900 per
annum; they are collecting the revenue
they are holding all to strict accountable
ty; they are cutting down the expenses of
government they have reduced the duties
on imports and internal revenues $40, OOO,-
900; and they have raised more revenue
since the reduction by prompt attention to
the collections they intend still further to
reduce the duties and internal revenue, as
well as expenses of government.
What would the Democracy do by get
ting into power? They would make a
clean sweep. of course. of all the office
holders. This they would do undoubtedly.
This would be yerv small matter. indeed.
compared to what else they would do.
They would not pretend. of course, to re-
establish slavery. for this would be simply
impossible-four millions of free people
would never suffer themselves to be made
slaves of again. nor do | believe any con-
siderable portion of the Southern people,
no matter how much they disliked the
manner in which it was abolished, would
advocate or consent to its establishment
again but they would, doubtless" re-
neal MANY laws now on the statute books
for the protection of the freedmen. If they
got the majority they might say, as some
States have said when they got into the
hands of the Democracy. that the amend
ments made for their protection were not
legally done. and repeal them. With all
their professions of regard for the constitu-
ton. thew are not very particular sticklers
for il when thew have the majority and
II stands in the way. 1t is not, there
fore. safe party to trust with power,
and is certainly not a party that COM
mends itself to the support of my col
ored friends in Virginia. Everything done
in your behalf has been done by the Re-
publican party in Congress, and has been
opposed, / believe, without solitary OK.
cepption, so far as now remember, by
every Democrat in Congress. 1t is not a
good party to BELIEVE IN, OR TIE TO
and while say this, grant to every man
the right to vote without fear or molesta.
ton. If he votes the Democratic ticket
don't abuse and villify him, grant him the
same privilege you POSSESS. 10 secure
his support for the Republican party, SCI
to it that good, honest, reliable, trust.
worthy men2men incompatible nomi
mated for office. No party deserves sue
cess that chooses incompetent, worthless
men as its standard bearers, and you neet
not wonder, if such are selected, that you
friends bolt the ticket. would prefer t.
vote for trustworthy Democrat myself t.
"a worthless Republican, and would DO SO
NO MATTER WHAT MY PARTY
AFFINITIES MAY BE, | WILL MOI
SUPPORT WORTHLESS MEN Fol
OFFICE, NOR OUGHT ANY DECENl
MAN BE EXPECTED TO DO SO.
10 my colored friends desire to say
few words before | conclude. have beef
your friend for many, many years. Away
opposed to slavery. During my term i
tie General Assembly of Virginia, | wa
ALWAYS on the alert to try to amelorate tn
DAVIS nassed regulating slavery, which, {