The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-08-26
GREAT SPEECH
GEN. THOS. EWING,
EEDoAsrKG TIE Principles CT THE
NATIONAL LABOR UNION
DELUERED IN
Columbus. Ohio, Friday, Aug. IL.
GREAT SPEECH


Thos. Ewing, addressed the citizens of
Columbus, Ohio, on the political issues
now before the country. On the questions
OF the public debt and currency be spoke
as follows:
FEI Low -CIrIJ EMS Il shall ask you to
consider this evening, National questions
snly there being no fferenees between
the parties in matters Of State or local pol
icy sufficiently developed as yet to attract
general attention.
There is, however, one matter growing
out Of State politics on which | wish tossy
a word. Some Republicans have asserted
that the Democratic State Convention,
the party press, and the people, were all
mistaken as to who was nominated as Dem
ocratic candidate for GovernOr-that il was
|, not Colonel McCOok. The Democracy
treated this discovery as harmless mares
nest. But recently, a prominent Demo.
crat of Lancaster his seen tit to revive the
assertion in a modified form, in letter at
tacking the nominee and the platform.
That gentleman is 80 connected with me
by ties of friendship and family that feel
it is proper for me, not only TO dissvow all
knowledge Of that letter before its publica-
ton, but to say that l regard its statements
as to the nomination Though doubtless not
unkindly meant) as an unkIndness and
injustice TO me. need say no more
for the letter will BARN no man but the
writer and myself.
1t is important to all who care for good
government to sift the past from the present
party issues, so that judgment may be given
lntelligently BY the people on the very ques.
lions 10 be decided.
First, then, the war issues are settled
forever. Secession invoked the war-sla-
very became necessarily involved in it
and both went down together in the battle.
No one, North or South, representing any
body of citizens, has ever questioned the
fnaiity Of that terrible and potent arbirra-
ment.
All the alleged war issues are settled,
also. The l4th and 18th amendments en-
body Gin addition to some matters which
was never dlsputed) all that the Republi-
cans have asserted, and the Democrats de-
MED, to be proper or necessary results of
the war. These amendments are recognIz-
ed by the Democracy OF Ohio and the ma
ton, almost unanimously, as part of the
supreme law; and therefore 10 be construed,
obeyed, and executed precisely as tie rest
of the Constitution. Hence, unless, and
until, some party proposes to agitate for a
new amendment of the Constitution, strik-
ing out all or part of these amendments,
they are beyond the range Of Probable dis
cuSslOn.
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
This position, taken by the Democracy
throughout the nation, is mi>called the
New Departnre." What dep4r,ure from
Democratic principles is there in saying
thar, though We opposed making the
amendments part Of the Constitution, we
will obey and execute them now they are
part Of il? Has tie Democracy ever will
fully violated the Constitution Never (!
Tnat theory Of our government which led
to nulLhca iOn and secession was sincerely
believed by most of the Southern Democrats,
aud many Of the Southern Whigs-it bad
been taught them BY some Of the venerared
Fathers of The Constitution and it we're
gross error 10 charge those hO ere led by
that instruction into the act of war witt
Wilful disregard OF known constitutional
ob lgations. Whenever the Republican
party, since the war, has found the grants
of power of the Constitution Insufficient. or
it, Limitations embarrassing, IN tue accom-
plishment OF Its schemes, It has deliberately
violated It's provisions and, as Thad Stew
ems said, legisated Ou side the Constitu-
ton" But The Democratic party, through
out its long and grand career, has been
distinguished as was the Wing party for
its rigid Observance Of the Fundamental
law and has never willtully violated one
of its provisions, however pressed By party
exigencies.
In thus recognizing the fact that the
amendments have been ratified, we do not
at all endorse, or admit to have been
valid, the reconstruction laws through
which their adoption was secured. The
fact that those amendments are part of
the constitution results from the fact that the
southern State governments have been to
large extent formed, md wholly accepted
and acpulesced in, by the southern people,
white and black have been recognized by
every department Of the National Govern
ment and all the affairs Of society conduct.
ed under them for three years past. We
cannot shut our eyes tu these controlling
facts. Governments, like children, be-
come legItimzed by recognition of their
Putative tather-the people. These State
governments have been 80 recognized, and
It is therefore too late tc attack their legiti
macy. Only the widest political visionary
would now talk Of overthrowing those gov
eInments by force, or Of changing them
except under their own forms. Hence their
acts OF Ratification Of the amendments must
De treated precisely as those Of the northern
states ; and tue certificates Of the secreta-
rles OF the requisite number OF States, to
lhe TACT Of ratification by the States re-
spectlVely, having been filed with the Sec
retary OF State at Washington, no depart
ment OF the General Government can i'm
PuGn them, or deny the effect Of their ratii
cations. as declared 10 the Constitution.
Therefore, those amendments are part of
the Constitution, notwithstanding the law
ltss inception OF the southern State gov
ernments. And the Democracy, ip recog
nlzlng the accomplished fact of The adoption
Of the amendments, no more approve their
policy, Or the execrable means Of procuring
their adoption, than the Republicans in
1854. by recognizing the law for the organ
lzatlOn Of Kansas ami Nebraska and max
ing the best Of i, endorsed squatter sover-
egnity, or took back the accusation that the
repeal Of the Missouri compromise was a
fragrant breach Of iaith.
REPUBLICANS DISSATISFIED WITH the NEW
DEPAKTURE.