New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-07-18

at the South, who is inclined to vote the
Democratic ticket? lie had better die than
do it. He had better die than so wrong his
race and so wrong us, whose lives have been
lives of suffering and sacrifice for the rcdemp-
ton and welfare of his. race. Nillnot Will
liam Lloyd Garrison and his fellow-laborers
have lived in vain, if now, at the last, the
black man for whom they have lived, shall
turn against them and go over to their and
the black mans enemy?
a Sad and Indignant Democrat.
Among the members of the late Demo-
cratic Convention, there was one who. while
we dcstest his principles, we cannot but re-
spect the man. lie is quite sincere in the
old Democratic faith, that negroes have no
rights which white men ought to be bound to
respect. lie don't believe in any of the re-
cent amendments of the United States Con-
stituton. He loathes and abhors them all
and would gladly see them all torn from the
Constitution. What we like in this man
and We allude to Senator Bayard, of Della
ware-is his utter inability to play the po-
ltical hypocrite. lie cannot bring himself,
even for the loaves and fishes, to give the
lie to his whole life; but read his speech:
Mr.. Bayard-I propose to conduct any dis
cusson here not by mere favor. | have no
iavors to ask of the Convention Applause.
propose to use my time for discussion in my
own way, and not to be catcchised by any
member of the Convention. A voice,
THAT is right | speak here for the people
OF my State will try to represent them. |
n 10 ho. I'll, &, Al,
benefit of my country. 1t is only by con-
flict of honest opinions that justice and good
sense can be wrought out. Therefore | say
that think this Convention would do much
more wisely to express its own sentiments,
and not, as | have said, adopt cut and dried,
without mastication or digestion, the senti-
ments of others.
Now, Mr.. President, look at the acts before
the country. What is it that to-day puts us
morally in chains? Is it not the Interference
by the Federal Government in the local con-
Germs of the States )? Is it not tyranny and
usurpatiOn, which under the garb of consti-
tutional amendments, under the garb of stat
utes, passed in alleged accordance with those
amendments, throttle to-day the voice of the
American people? l ask you how came it
that men-of-war, with guns ready shotted and
run out for action, were placed at the foot of
your peaceful streets two years AGO on the
day Of your election?
What brought the vessels of war, with that
American flag, of which we are all so proud,
at the masthead-what brought them at the
foot OF your peaceful streets ready to sweep
from the highways of your city citizens en-
gagged in their peaceful and orderly avoca-
tons, should the word of command be given?
What brought military expeditions, with all
the tormality of war, with munitions, fixed
and uniiXed, and with rations for so many
days, with all the paraphcrnalia of hostile
military expedition What brought that
into the heart Of the great city of New York
two years ago? l will tell YOU.
1t was the exercise by Congress OF pre-
tended power under the fourteenth and fif-
teenth amendments to the Constitution of
the United States that was intended to crush
the South, and it reacted upon the North,
and the North must be stricken down bv the
same power that has Frustrated the unhappy
South i'll the dust. Gentlemen, | appeal to
you on this subject. There should be some
expression of our own upon this subject. If
feeling for our Southern brethren will not
tempt you to it, at least let human selfish
ness dictate to you that you must take care
OF them IN order that you may guard Your
selves. Why Is there not some expression
on this subject by this assembly? After all,
is not the great point this: Give us a free
election-an election undistmbcd by Federal
money, by Federal threats, by Federal Off
Gals, by Federal bayonets unchain the great
heart OF the American people, and let them
vote freely, and then we will have rulers who
shall bring us peace and put an end to these
questions which are now agitating the country.
Applause. Why do you seek to inter past
issues? Your platform does 50. You are
asking men now to deny the votes that they
gave two and three years ago on the subject
OF these amendments. Why ask it :; why in
slst upon it? Ii the issues are settled, as
your chairman has declared, why do you re-
suscitate them and put them forward for the
purpose of disturbing plain, straightforward
issue between tyranny and freedom between
limited government and unqualified despo-
tism. Applause
MIR. President, l wish some one in better
physical health than | would urge this view
upon you, for have broken very much and
say it proudly have broken down in the
public service, and from no other cause.
lApplause.l l know there is little time or
opportunity within this hour for the discus
sion of the great principles to which I have
barely adverted, but | do say il was becon-
ing, it was right and proper that this con-
vention of the Democratic party should speak
with its own voice and for itself, and / be-
lievc there will be grave disappointment on
the part OF the great constituency we here
represent if this expression shall not be given.
Ii your judgment is against it must yield to
that judgment, though | cannot give my
formal assent to it. l also demand of this
convention that the question shall be put
separately upon these various articles upon
which we are called upon to vote. l do not
propose to detain this convention. As
have said, the condition OF my health forbds
it; but desire to enter my protest against
this adoption of the language of a platform