New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-14
KANSAS LIBERAL REPUBLICANS
LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC CONVENTION
SPEECH OF b. GRAFT BROWN

SPEECH OF b. GRAFT BROWN
The Liberal Republicans of Kansas held
a State convention at Topeka, on the tenth
instant, which was called to order by Hon.
Marens j. Parrott, ex-member Of Congress.
Ex-Governor Crawford was elected pres
ident. The proper committee reported iO7
delegates to the Cincinnati convention,
which report was adopted
At the head of the list are the names of
Ex-Governor Crawford, Hon. NJ. j. Parrott
and ex-Cnited States Senator Ross. The
list includes large number of Republicans
from all parts of the State, who are eminent
for their character and ability. Three of
the delegates are influential colored men,
one Of them, Mr.. Morris, being lawyer of
Leavenworth. The delegates who attend
are authorized to select of their number
those who shall cast the vote of Kansas.
Mr. Parrett. in calling the convention to
order, cOngra tulated the members of the
convention that so large a number had as
sembled, notwithstanding it had been
scarcely thirty days since the call was is
sued. Although there were no postmasters
or federal oficehoiders or strikers of the
large number, the high character of those
composing the convention would command
the confidence and respect Of the people of
Kansas. A storm of detraction and abuse
had spent its force upon those who were
expected to take part in this days proceed
iDgs, but no one had been frightened or
harmed by its fury. He looked upon the
movement which was about to be inaugu-
rated in Kansas as the dawn of a new
political era for the State. He paid high
tribute to the character Of Governor Brown,
whom he characterized as the pioneer of
the Liberal movement, and was here to-day
to give them counsel and advice His allu-
sion to Governor Brown was received with
vociferous demonstrations of applause.
Hon. S. A. Riggs, member of the State
Senate, submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That we, the Liberal Republicans of
Kansas mindful of the early record Of our State 80
closely interviewer with the history of the Repub
can party and the struggle for national existence
called that party into existence would ever ma;n
tain part of our birthright the rightful soyer.
eighty of the Union emancipation. equality of civil
rights and enfranc hisement. with loyalty to prin
ciple thatts higher and stronger than LOYALTY to
party or party leaders.
Jealoue and watchful of the fair fame of our vouno
State, earnest and resOlute now in the struggle
to its soil from the encroachment of the slave
power We call upon the people of Kansas to unite
in an effort to put stop to tine ATTEMPTED absorb.
ton of the civil functions of the government by the
military and the encrOachment Ofexecutive power
to inaugurate thorough reform of the civil ser
vice, that shall put stop to the shameless abuse of
official patronage for the control of conventions
and elections whether in the interests OF an indi
vidua faction, or party.
To effect q modification of our revenue system
so that no class or special interest of the country
shall be encouraged at the expense of the rest.
To secure wise and just system of Taxation
which shall place needless burden on the people
To save the public lands of the nation to actual
To es' abiish general amnesty as a correlatve of
impartial suffrage and to extend our national SYM
late our example of popular acknowledgements
On motion the resolutions were adooted.
The main business of the convention hay-
ing been disposed of, the president announc-
ed that Governor Brown would address the |
convention. The appearance OF Governor |
Brown was the signal for long and tremen-
dous applause. AS soon as quiet was re-
stored the Governor spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Of the CONGRATULATIONS
greeting is very cordial, and thank you
for the taken OF good will it CONVEYS, not |
the honor to represent.
You meet to-day to cradle a reform move |
ment that has only patriotic ends in view |
1t purposes no violence either of language |
or of action. 1t addresses itself calmly to |
such reason as must pervade our institu- |
tons. 1t lndicts the abuse of power in high |
places, only to preserve the fair name of |
all from reprOach. Its mission is to carry |
healing to the wounds of the country, and |
crown it with content.
period OF our history fraught with the |
agitation of great ideas has just ended. 1t |
began under the gOading OF angry party
lsms, and was carried forward through the |
blood aud bitterness of civil war spread |
all over the land. 1t has terminated by
stablishing an equal freedom as the right
ful heritage OF every American citizen.
From Missouri came the first inroads which |
ushered in that tragic time. From Kansas
came stern resistance which kindled the
tend of our whole nation into irresistible
antagonism. And now Missouri and Kansas
JOIN hands in friendship, insist that policies
Of peace and not hatred shall prevail
unite to stamp out the corruptiOns which
while we fought, and demand that
a constitutional rule shall once more pre-
vail, that the limits of State and national
shall be respected as of old, that
q military shall give place to a civil order,
IL,
This is the political revolution you seek
to lnaugurate. And is it not significant
already OF coming triumph, when two
great States, foremost parties to the col
hsion of the past SO spontaneously COM
bine to give it voice and impulse! You
have seen across what was once the border
how absolute repOse and self-government
are restored there. You feel to the very
marrow of your bones how essential 1t is to
lrive the harpies of bribery from control in
your own midst. Thus, what commends
Itself as solution promising genuine unity
or the divided sections, equally implies the
Durities OF local administration. What
other policy holds out equal hope!
My friends, your assemblage assures me
hat you realize this to be no idle parade of
politics. There is a certain
suspense in the very air; but there is
manly purpose on every brow. The Gus
tomary ralIying cries are lacking; but there
IS elevated banner with this strange de-
vice: MY country before any party"
our otice-holders are not out in force to
give holiday airing to their loyalty; but
the independence of your State attends,
resolute to utter the inner thought which
owe, GWells with the much enduring masses.
linen let Kansas be true this day to her
eVentiui history. In common with the
States of the great West. let her assert a
readiness to help forward this rescue of the
nation from control sordid and unre-
ueenleu py any high spirations-control
lnaI stuanuers the hOnors and dignities of
the republic among a band of personal re-
tainers-a control that eventually. under
DISCUSSES OF monopoly, and patronage. and
taxation, and centraiism, would substitute
slavery of the white race for the old
slavery of the black race. '1' 'A>A
- AS asn hepuD nna you have come together
10 consult upon the modes whereby effect
may De oest gwen TO your convictions. So