The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-05-10

s.~~eh Of Gsy. Palmer, Of lllisels::l;rans
rrrsisusd for Violation 81 1.aW..Bepuo.
ssr.s COrruVstoa Shown 10.

errrsrsisssi Tor visiasiss 81 Lsw--Repsb'
iicas Csrrupstss Shown -.
Gen. John NJ. Palmer lately addressed
q. large and enthusiastic meeting OF the
citizens of Springfield, ILL.,, upon the
nolitical situation. We give few OK
tracts from his speech:
roRcE or PARTY TIES.
What is the object Of this assembly
All over the country Republicans are
deeply concerned for the future ol
their party. We love the party As men
Who love the political associations in
which they have passed the most active
portions of their lives. need not say
10 men who havo warm blood coursine
through their veins, that party attach
ments, with good men, have their
foundation in, but often survive, the
questions that originally attached them
together. There are old Abolitionists
in this audience, and, although they
themselves were abolished when slavery
fell, yet the memory Of old struggles in
the noble cause makes them take each
other by the hand when they meet, and
they remember the common principles
TO which they devoted their earnest
lives. So of old Democrats. There
are men in this audience that ] have
been separated from for twenty years
in the changes Of political life, and they
and have crossed many sword in
political encounters, yet the memory of
political association warns my heart
toward them. and so it is in regard 10
this great body of patriotic men that
make up the Republican party. Venal,
selfish, greedy men throw of political
associations without effort. 1t il the
earnest, true men that struggle long
and hesitate before they make up their
minds to dispute with, much lees to
separate from, their political friends.
SHE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY.
The Republican party is deeply con-
cerned for its future, for the reason
that have given. Not that the men
who compose the party are disposed to
keep it up, and continue it for the mere
sake Of party. They know that party,
rightly understood, is q mere association
Of men that agree in political ideas,
and when the questions perish that
unite them, when tho object of the Or
ganization 10 accomplished, then they
turn to new subjects and enter into
new combinations as their judgment
and their convictions may invite them.
AN HONEST GOVERNMENT REQUIRED.
First, We must have in this country,
If we maintain our liberties, pure and
homes. Government. The people of
this country must determine to inaugu-
rate reform. They must demand off,
cial honesty. They must insist upon
official responsibility, and although dur
ing the war and during the struggle for
reconstruction, and for the establish
ment of the principles Of equality and
liberty over the land, they were the
vital issues, and loyalty to freedom and
unity were such cardinal virtues that
they covered a multitude of sins, yet
that hour has passed away. To-day the
naked question Is, Shall the officers of
the Government, from the highest to
the lowest, be responsible to the people
and shall they be honest men?
CORRUPTION RESULTING FROM THE WAR.
Fellow-citizens, principles are impor-
tant, and must never be lost sight of,
but no principles are safe in the hands of
men who are corrupt and dishonest. |
do not charge upon any political party
the corruptions of the present day.
They are p, obably part of the sad in
heritance of the war. Asyou will recol-
lect, during that struggle the property
and the money of the nation were
poured out like water, Ia wished on every
hand; corrupt, loose and extravagant
habits we're formed in every branch of
the public service. 1t has been, no
doubt. impossible to entirely eradicate
these abuses, but, at the same time, there
has not been enough attention addressed
to their eradication. Why Is it? Look
at the condition Of things in the city of
New York, where young men from
Washington, without commercial ex-
perience, without friends in the city,
are sent down to levy tribute upon the
commerce of this whole country. A
thing like that could not happen if all
with the administration Of |
the Government had the capacity to
enforce reform in the affairs OF the Gov |
eminent. The fact is, every now and
then men in Office acquire ideas some
what akin to those entertained by the |
of the middle ages. The lord,
by his relatives and retain. |
ers, lives in his house or goes to the sea-
side if need be, and parcels out the pro
ceeds Of taxation among these relatives |
and friends. These habits are Dor
rowed from the middle ages. We must
bring them down to the administration
Of affairs suitable to the more enlight-
ened era Of Christian civilization. We |
must have official responsibility.
AMNESTY REQUIRED AT THE SOUTH.
Again, we must have the constitution |
md laws Of the country restored to all |
parts Of the Republic. Applause.
During the war-while the war lasted
The business Of this nation was war. 1t
ID cruel kindnoss IN insis4 4ha4 -. ahaI