The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-07-05
AN ADDRESS.
by Hon. S. X. Wolfe, Democratic
Candidate for Congress, Ia the
Democracy Of the Second Com
grcssiOnal District.

Being in receipt of numerous letters
, from political friends in various parts
of the District, making inquiry in re-
gard TO the political situation, and invit-
: ing me 10 address the people at an early
; day it being inipracticabc TO answer all
separately in as extended n manner rs
the subject requires, or 10 begin the reg
ular canvass until after harvest time is
). over, have deemed il not improper to
] orcspond in this form through the press.
Having been placed in nomination for
!, Congress by the Democratic party of
dthc District, under at least an implied
bIpledgc that would uphold and MAIN
Tain lis organization and principles, i'm
poses upon me ut this time responsible
ties and duties of no light importance.
The faithful discharge of these duties
did not permit me hastily ar inconsidc-
ratcly 10 give TO the Cincinnati ticket,
in advance of its endorsement ut Balti-
more, my approval; especially, as it was
known to the Convention which nomi-
mated me that l was in favor of the nom
Iination OF Il straight Democratic ticket.
Nor could |, III justice 10 my own con-
victions, give 10 that ticket my support,
unless, III 80 doing, the Democratic or
ganiz tion and principles can be main-
.aincd. Hence, have purposcly with
hcid any expression OF opinion as 10 the
duty OF Democrats upon tlst subject,
until first being i'll possession of such
lacis, circumstance and surroundings OF
the whole programme, as would enable
me 10 arrive at Il correct conclusion up
OH that material point, upon which
feel pledged to those who gave Inc the
nomination.
The position of NOMINATED candi-
Late, is one Of trust rs well as RESPONSE
bility. lie j. bound TO act in good faith
TO the organization and its avOwcd prin-
cipics, as well MS his implied pledges, or
tO. give place 10 another who will do So.
As is wcll-known, ! did not favor the
adoption of u race Greeley rs the can
didatc Of the Baltimore Convention;
but now, that seems 10 be foregomc
conclusions, and may be regarded rs n
r.crt ain political event. Nor have cn-
.criaincsi any OF those Iapic-strickcn
Tears OF defeat with straight Demo
cra tic ticket which led 10 tie incipicnf
step, ot retreat by many of the leaders
lot tho party six or eight mVntlI> ago.
have no doubt. if the Democratic party
mad stood up uniicdly ior such n ticket
At that time, and laborcd 10 accomplish
l,hat purpose, the prospect for sucress in
defeating Grant. would to-day bc equal
liy rs bright is il is under the programme
adopted. Dut do not inipurn the
nioti,es Of those Who thought. and stiil
lthink otherwise, however much 1 may
nlistrist Aicir Judgment or regret their
action. They, doubtless, acted in good
iaith, and ior what they believed 10 bc
The best interest ot the party and the
country. 1t is possible they were in po-
session, Of Il more enlarged view OF the
Situation, w hich enabled them 10 see dan
gers that never appeared 10 me. which,
lI had seen, would have induced ne to
act us they did.
But, however, that may be, and whcth-
cr tho course adopted has been wise or
UNIV the best or the second best ;whc-
thcr the result Of n panic, or real in
,urInouniablc danger; the step has been
taken, AND IT Is NOW TOO LATE TO RE-
TRACE IT. Baltimore will give us Gree
ley AS certainly rs Philadelphia has Civ
EN- Grant To the Radicals and whatever
may have been the question six or eight
uloMths agoyor even one month ago. the
only question remaining now-and which
win remain until November is, shall
we, rs Democrats, support Horace Gree
Iley or, shall VIC stand aloof, and by our
non-action contribute our support 10 the
election of General Grant?
Before that question is answered by
Democrats they ought to be satisfied Of
two things - first, will the support of
Grcclcy disrupt and dissolve the Demo-
cratic organization And second, will
it involve the surrender Of any of the
vital principles of the party! Ii these
lluestivns must certainly be answered in
the Affirmative, Democrats would un-
doubtcdly bc excused if they should re-
fuse 10 support Greeley; but il DcIno-
|crats can support Greeley and at the
same time, preserve their organization
and principles, then, it is plainly their
elduty to do SO.
/, These questions, have maturcly con-
|. sidcrcd. Democrats, by voting for Gree
.,licy, will not commit themselves 10 any
lhing further than the choice between
him and Grant. Ii the party can main
tain its organization with Grant rs Pres
ilcnt, why cannot it not do the same
tling with Greeley in the Presidential
,chair. Democrats have maintained
their organization and their principles,
Ei.though Republicans and Radicals have
been in power for The past twelve wars.
I'M they can do so under Radical rule,
N why can they not do SO under Conscr-
'iyativc or Liberal Republican ruiC. Nor
dean the endorsement of tic, ,tiAcihmaii
l..f t,tp4 ..it' t,g,.taN's l.F4Fs .f III fsr .