New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-06
WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1871.

/ want to say a single word upon this /
think il clear that the persons addressed as
Conservatives are not Democrats, or they would
not have been set apart In the special manner
they were. Nor are they Conservative Demo
Gratis, for that is political imposibility. Who,
then, are these persons and what is there i'm
portance to the Democrats and to us IN the
coming election? Politically, l understand
some Of them to be members of the old Wing
party, who never have had any voluntary afil-
iation with the Democratic party; who had no
sympathy with the rebellion, and still have
none and who contributed largely to the sue
cess of the Union cause. They are public
spirited, patriotic men, and believe we shall
have their support in the coming contest. They
have grown up under influences quite the re-
verse Of those which surrounded many of US.
They have lived in non-politcal community.
Cries of That's So" They have not. and
cannot he, expected to have the strong party
attachments which others may have. But to
class them with the anti-war Democrats to
class them with those who would undo the
work of the last decade, and remit millions Of
our people TO condition Of slavery, is at once
an insult TO their intelligence and their patri-
otism.
| Now, can you afford, by violence of speech
or by violence of action, to drive them into an
alliance which would be against every instinct
of their nature? do not believe you can and
/ do not believe YOU will. 1t is my opinion
that we will find in this class of eur citizens
earnest, hearty, cordial support. They are
willing we should enjoy the ecidt of what may
be, to some extent, a political triumph, but
when that is accomplished, they ask an assur-
ance that our whole efforts will be bent to the
development of the welfare OF all our people,
and shat we will work to make this District
fit residence for the capital of the first nation on
| the globe.
| Now, sir, one other word which is dictated
| by what trapspired in the Democratic conven-
ton to which have alluded. prefer always
to speak to an objective point, and hence it is
that have so far confined myself TO the gauge
OF battle thrown down by our opponents. |
| suppose we all agree that the first object in our
hearts is the welfare of the District of Column
bia. We differ only as to the means by which
that object is to be attained The nominee of
the Democratic party in accepting the nomina-
+. ton said
They are wholly mistaken who think our
interest is most wisely consulted by electing
only those who are In harmony with the con
trolling party in Congress. The period when
that party dominated without restraint is past
The period through which its unlimited author
ity extended has ended. 1t commenced in
March, 1861, and it ended in March, 1871"
And agais he said :" / shall appear in Con.
gress as the elected candidate of the Demo
cratic and Conservative voters of the District"
Cries of ''Well see about it."
Mr.. President, ] shall not stop to dispel the
dream in which our distinguished opponent in
dulged upon that occasion. The Republican
party of this country will answer in due time
whether the petty dssensions in its own house
hold shall forever destroy its power and its
usefulness. The gentleman's prophecy has
been pronounced annually since 1861, and the
party has some life yet But that is not the
question. We are TO consider the practical
inquiry Can a Democratic Delegate he of
more service to you than Republican Dele
gate ? / think, Mr.. President, other things
being equal, there can be but one answer
Look at 1t. The Senate is largely Republican;
so also is the House of Representatives Every
committee in both bodies is Republican. No
measure can be passed except it come directly
from the votes of Republicans and upon their
responsibility, and this must necessarily be the
fact, for at least the term of your Delegates
service. A voice, land longer too"
Without now stopping TO do more than to
suggest the reasons for my views is it not true
that we may hope for more where our repre-
sentative is something else than merely an
advocate Tor the District? Wewant more than
justice from Congress. We want what are TO
us favors, and can expect these to be &C
corded to one who, however eloquent and how
ever able has by his attitude before Congress
precluded that trust and confidence which alone
furnish access to mems reason and their sense
of liberty? We cannot change the laws of
human nature, and my opinion rests Oh those
laws. A Democratic Delegate goes TO Con-
gress with a defiance of the maiorty of that
body on bis lips. We asked a Republican
Congress to grant us Delegate represent ative
and we send one there who comes only to pre-
diet the downfall of that Republican Congress-
and who has been accustomed to speak of much
of its Legislation heretofore as revolutionary
and void
1t is no answer to say that Governor Cooke
must look TO the Republicans and secure their
cooperation. 1t is not the duty Of the Gov
ernor to represent you in Congress. His func-
tons call him elsewhere, and if he performs
his duty faithfully, as / know he will, he must
devote his whole energies to the, mutifarious
duties devolved upon him in connection with
the administration of District affairs. And
when he does 60 upon the floor of Congress-
or before Its committees, he must and should
have the assurance that he will there find your
Delegate In full accord with him. But in his
intercourse with the President and the Execu-
tive Departments of the Government to secure
benefits for the people of the District, the posi-
ton OF Democratic Delegate would be still
more embarrassing and many of you know
what important service to our citizens NAV be
rendered by Delegate through the means of
these various Executive Departments
1t is urged also by the Democratic nominee
that because your Governor has declared his
purpose to administer the affairs of the District
upon Republican principles, that the people
should rise In opposition and overthrow this
purpose.
Where is the objection, ask to the declara-
ton of your Governor? Is he to appoint
Democrats to office ? Do Democrats expect it ?
Could We expect them to appoint Republicans
II our positions were reversed? A voice,
"And they would not. - But we need not apol
ogize for this policy The Republicans of our
country need not be ashamed of their record.
They need never hesitate to select of their own
members, when they are in power, those to whom
important Interests are to be entrusted and
so long as good and efficient men are chosen
this District will never suffer, and | believe
your Governor may be trusted to select efficient
officers. Cries of Wen trust him.
The Republican party as naturally calls to-
gether the brains. the thought, the moral senti-
ment OF the people as trath attracts its vota-
ries. The Republican party is a composite.
and 1t displays the characteristics have men
toned In all It's alliances. from whatever cline
or whatever tongue. To the liberty-lovinc
and thoughtful German-whose country, on the
other continent, is to-day, from its matchless
trlumphs, the admiration of the world--the
Republican party is necessity and the same
may be said of all natinnalities whose repre-
sentatives come here with the purpose of un-
H.