Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-08-02
Speech by Ex-Governor Oglcsby.


forming Grant and Wilson Club. Five
thousand people were in attendance upon
the meeting. Among the speakers was
General Oglesby, Ex--and again-to be-
Governor of Illinois. After alluding to
the great calamity which had befallen
Chicago, and to the wonderful progress
which its citizens are making in rebuild
ing the city, and after referring briefly to
the general prosperity of the State and
country at large, General Oglesby said
"Somebody has the control of this Govern
ment, though. Who is itg Who Is rcspon-
sible for It to-day? The Republican party
What Republican party The National
Union Republican party--the genuine Repub
lican party [applause l-the honest, bold, mo-
bic, patriotic and unconquerable Republican
party. [Great cheering and applause.l The
party that held the helm when the ideas OF
statesmen, ne better than the Ideas of COM
mon men, were at fault, and our ideas were
all confused when no man knew much bet
ter than another what to do, when blood
red, fearful, heartless war stirred the founda-
tions of this Republic, this Republican party
then had control of the nation, and did 1t
know what to do ? Did 1t know how to meet
the circumstances of the casey Was it great
enough to hold on to the helm of power,
and steer great and mighty people to the
end-to the harbor of peaceY Aye, talk
about old things-tell me that it is impolitic
to refresh the heart of human nature by
looking back few inches to see how the
past reflects back and glitters and shines
upon you Oh, the past, the dead past. 1t
has all "gone by" say some very anxious
public speakers of the day-it is not wise, it
is not pertinent, it is not polite, and it is not
admissible to talk about old issues. l will
talk about them as long as l can wag my
tongue" [Applause.l
GRANTS ADMINISTRATION.
Reviewing the acts of the Republican
party from the day of its accession to su-
preme power in the land, the orator cleo
trified his hearers by the following allu-
sion to President Grants Administration:
"Go all through the acts of the Republican
Congress, as Republican Congress, while
johnson was President, and against you. Go
read the acts, the statute books of every
Republican Congress then come down to
Gen. Grant; read his inaugural address, read
his messages, read what he has done as Pres
ident, read the corresponding legislation of
Congress, read the acts of Congress passed
in consonance with the action of the Presi-
dent-read all the legislation, then go back
and take up our platform-take them in every
State Of the Union-in every city, in every
county-in every precinct-in every town
ship, in every town, and every village-take
then all the acts of our President. and our
Congress, and our people; and tell you to-
night, as the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor of Illinois, | ratify and indorse this
WnOie JulHSs lTTOlOHSeu upplduSe.l NOU
only was it right but it was wise;
not only was it right and precedent and
wise, but they were necessary to be done.
They are the law of the land to-day; in con-
stitution and in statute books, the laws of
the land to-day. Now, that is our pro-
gramme to start upon. Some ask us what we
intend to do. We intend to go straight for
ward under General Grant for four years
more. [Applause.] We intend to go straight
forward under Henry Wilson as Vice-Presi-
VI IL. ~
forward under Republican Congress for
four years more, as we have gone before,
doing just like we have for twelve years past
Applause What particular thing are we
expected to do? Nothing except that which
shall be wise, and just, and necessary, and
that we will do, if we have to pass another
Ku-Klux law. Laughter and'applause.l If
the circumstances of the case shall arise
again to call for the strong arm of the gov
eminent to preserve the lives of men, women
and children in State that will not preserve
their lives, the United States Congress and
General Grant, our nations President, will
see that South Carolina, or any other State,
shall have to behave herself, or we will make
her do it. [Applausel
THE DEBT.
Referring to the national debt Gen.
Oglesby said
I'VE intend to preserve the national credit
it is already preserved, and we don't want
that they will take care of it. Oh, yes, you
are mighty smart now pledging yourselves
Suppose you didn't pledge yourselves, would
that make any difference. Do you suppose
it would affect our conduct at all ? Not a
bit of it. We want to pay every debt we
owe, every dollar of it, greenbacks and all.
Every dollar of that we are going to redeem
in gold and silver, and all the little postal
currency, down to the quarter of dollar,
and ten cent pieces, or five cent pieces either
n1n oil in oil nd civ Of $50
we will. This Republican party will. Is
that SO? Yes, it is so. When are you going
to do it? just as soon as we conveniently
can. Laughter Now, say, our
future policy will be just as it has been to
bring the tariff down wisely, prudently and
cautiously, but not so as to wilfully
and spitefully destroy the industries of
the country. We won't do that. What
about the internal revenue? Why, it is
nearly all gone now. The income tax gone?
Yes, sir; that is gone. The tax on bankers
and manufacturers all gone; the tax on
stamps on contracts-buying and selling
land and making notes-all to be gone after
the 1st day of October. All these troublesome,
annoying taxes that bothered and ANNOYED us
so, they-the Republican party-put on the
people. What is taxed now? Why, you have a
stamp tax on a bank check, provided fell
low can't get the money out by receipt You
have tax on ardent spirits, on vinous and
fermented spirits, and on tobacco. That is
the principal thing we have left. And what
of these charges? The Republican party
made but few days ago-just a few days
ago-this immoral and wicked Republican
party, what did it do? Why, it went and
took twelve cents pound right slap off to-
bacco. Why, can laboring man buy his to-
bacco as cheap and cheaper than he did few
days ago? Yes, he can"
THE BoLTERs.
Referring to the boilers the orator con
tinued:
''Now, 1 leave it to you to say if these
United States Senators, these Republican
Senators, in their suspicious of Judge Trum
bull going off to the Democraey-if they were
not about half right about it? Are they now'
Where, to-day, is he? In the Republican
party. He voted for General Grant fol
President. He calls himself a Republican
and l will say nothing unkindly of him, fol
he knows do not feel any unkindness toward
him. He knows personally respect him; il
he don't he ought to know it, but as public
man before the people of the State of H.
lnois, / have a right to criticise his speeches
and his conduct, and if | am not greatly
mistaken l do it. Judge Trumbull knows
that am good Republican. He has known
it for years. He knows that am faithful tC
the party. He knows l am its standard
bearer for Governor this fall. He knows the
people have nominated me without any soil
citation on my part. He knows have once
been Governor. He cannot question my
fidelity to the party, he cannot question
my Republicanism. Then why is he going
over Illinois to-day, making speeches on the
stump, and advising people to vote against
me?
GRANT PERSONALLY.
Alluding personally to President Grant,
he said
"Who has done more for the happiness o.
this great people, who has contributed more
to their wealth and prosperity than Genera
Grant And yet who is more abused thar
he? No man whatever, not even the mean
est pauper on our streets. Still, no mar
says he Is dishonest. Even Judge Trumbul
has not gone so far as that. believe l sale
many years ago that Abraham Lincoln wal
an honest man; and maintain to-day tha
General Grant is as honest a man as ever sa
in that chair TChpprs | maintain that n,