Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-13
The Meeting at Cooper Institute,


The Meeting at Cooper Institute,
speeches by TrumbuII nnd scbur1.
NEW YORK, April t2.-Cooper Institute was |
filled 10 its utmost capacity 10 night by an audi
enCe drawn out by the liberal republican meet |
in@. Before formal proceedings the names of |
the signers of the call for the Cincinnati con, |
ventOn, and the platform of the Missouri CON |
vcntiOn were read and greeted with enthusiasm.
The meeting was called to order by Hon.
Ethan Allen, aud nominated Col. Frederick n. |
COukling for president, which nomination was
enthusiastically endorsed, He took the chair
and made a brief address.
The list of vice presidents includes Horace
Greeley, Waldo Hutchns, Moses II. Grnnell,
Chas. A. Dana, Parke' Goodwin, i. l.. GOdkin,
Marshall o. Roberts, r. NJ. Batchford, John X.
Porter, and Joseph A. Dix.
A declaration of principles was adopted,
which holds that business men should not be
compelled to pay tribute for political purposes;
that acts of officials should be confined within
the strict letter of the laws; that the triumph
OF republican principles in the approaching
election do not depend upon any one individual;
that the prosperity of the country demands
thorough, radical and immediate reform in all
departments of the public service, and that the
one term principle for the presidential office
will conduce more to that end than any other
measure.
At a quarter before eight o'clock Schurz and
lrumbull arrived and were received en-
Enthusiastically and at eight O'Clock the latter
was introduced to the meeting.
SENATOR TRUMBULLS SPEECH.
Mr. Trumbull, after brief recountal of the
events of the past spoke of tle causes of public !
dissatisfaction one of which was the C0ntinue |
ance of political disabilities after the occasion
Tor them has passed away CauSCS therefor were
both mercenary and political; the mGicenart
cause was the adventures who plumber tue peo-
pie OF the southern states, as the people of New
York were pundercd by the former city govern
Incnt, and exclude from offices the former lead
Ing men of the SOUTH The debt of Alabama has
swollen from So, 900, 900 in 1860 to near $40 000,-
900; the debt of Florida from 100000 to
$4,000, 900; of Georgia from So 900 900 TO Sl4,-
100000; and they have not even carpets and
furniture to show for it. The political cause is
the retention of power by such men as Governor
Bullock, who was compelled to fly from Georgia
70 escape punishment for the fraudulent debt he
fastened upon the state
At this point, Horace Greeley was seen upon
the platform and heartily cheercd, Trumbull
saying that he was glad to hear such cheers in
honor of the first champion of universal
amnesty, great measure which is de
manded in the name of honesty, of peace
and of the first interests of all. tGreat cheer
ing.) Another cause of complaint is the use of
the patronage of the government in carrying
elections in the interest OF faction of Il party
Your custom house is filled with men appointed,
not for their capacity but because of the influ-
| ence it is supposed they can exert at some pr-
mary election or state convention, or in teaching
| You how to vote
Mr.. Trumbull spoke of the action of the mill
| tary officer in command in Georgia, prohibiting
| certain men to sit in the legislature and allow
ing Others to take seats in direct defiance of the
law of congress, of which no other notice was
taken than mild report by the senate judiciary
committee that his action was contrary to law
A few years ago congress passed a law that no
officer of the army should discharge the flIuc-
tons OF a civil officer; and yet, who does not
know that while the house is filled with army
officers, the safety of the citizen and protection
OF his person and property is to be found
in the local laws which the people them
selves administer (applause), and not in the cen.
trail government Ii this system Of eucroach-
ment is permitted to 20 on, the day is not distant
when our republican system will he transformed
into one of imperial desp6tsm; and whether it
is exercised by single person or by jO0-called
congreSs-lt is equally deSpotism.
The speaker alluded to the case of Controller
Hulhurd, who was permitted to leave govern
ment office honorably on resignation; when II
few years ago the question was asked the heads
of the treasury department, what should be
done with the man who took down the Ameri-
can flag on the custom house building, the reply
was, "Shoot him on the spot" That answer
thrilled every patriotic heart. Had the con
troler neglected to pay party assessment, or to
use his influence TO pack primary meeting, or
control an election in the interest of some la-
vorite, the political guillOtine would have taken
off his head.
Mr.. Trumbull next spoke of the secretary of
the navy, who not only violated the law by paw
ing money on an account that had been settled
but also by taking money that had never
been appropriated for such purpose. The speaker
said the living issues of the times relate to en-
croachment by the federal government upon the
rights of state and local governments; to am
nesty, and to securing the equal rights of all the
great principles lying at the foundation of the
republican party; 10 reform in our revenue sys-
tenn, by which taxation may he reduced and so
arranged as to bear equally as far rs possible
upon all branches of industry; TO the purifica-
ton of the civil service, and an administration
Of the government by which plunderers will be
driven from power (cres of good goodD He
believed that the government, econom-
cally administered, need not eXpend
over S90000000 annually, exclusive of
interest, payments on public debt, and pensions;
which would be a saving of $4,000 600. And |
why have we been unable to do this : Because
the machinery of the republican party is in the
hands of 10000 office holders. The remedy, he
concluded, is in the people themselves, and in a
convention of the best elements of the republ-
can party, at Cincinnati.
A letter was read from Senator Fentou saving
that the movement for reform and purity of the
government in both state and nation, and also
to secure at the head of affairs a republican
statesman trained in republican ideas, has his
coIula sympathy, ii Is a necessity OF the hour.
CARL sCHURz' SPEECH
MIR. SehurZ was then INTRODUCED and received
win prolonged cheers. He said he came here to
raise his voice against partizan victory, which
subordinates the public veal, and personal aud
party interest; and to protest against slayish
submission 10 party dictation; against the CON
thued maintenance OF power which overrdes
the laws of the land for selfish ends; against the
growth of personal government which threat.
ems to convert the public purse into personal
property; against frauds and receptions being
practiced upon a conhding people to make what
is wrong appear right and patriotic
He said he had started in political life i'm the
republican party, aud never desired to connect
himself with any other; he was proud of the
achievements of that party, but recognized the
necessity OF Il thorough reform. Without unity
m TINS purpose, 1t could not be held together
Schurz then spoke at length on the danger of
Capitalization of power in the federal govern
ment and argued as a matter of Justice that the
south should be enlranchised
Passing to the subject of moral REFORM he
said that the easy and loose morals engendercd |
by the vote could more easily be remeded bv |
first, that those in high places should set an ex-
ample of scrupulous purity; second, that the |
ruling power should ever more freely criticised its |
own members than those of its opponents: |
and third, that the civil service should |
DC SO reformed as to make honesty, ca
paciiy, and fidelity to public interest a quail.
heation for office rather than patriotism He |
said that there were signs az the republican and
democratic camps of breaking loose from par
tisanship; and the transformation Of parties
must come. The movement in which We are
now engaged cannot be stopped The men who
lead in this movement arc not shackled by party |
iettors. But few weeks ago the Cincinnati
conventions was spoken of byipolitcians with a |
contemptuous smile. To-day that smile has al.
ready turned sour on their lips
AZ the conclusion OF Sehurz's address, Horace |
hfeeiey was introduced and made brief speech |
lie said he did not purpose 20 attend the Ilmira |
convention. Delegates were sent 10 the other |
two conventions who had been either bought OF |
or kicked out, 81 have seen enough Of thatrule