The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-06-24
Openlng OF the Campaign IN Iudlann.


cans opened the campaign by q mas!
meeting at Masonic Hall, Saturday night
Addresses were made by Senator Nor.
ton and General Coburn, member oI
Congress. Republican clubs were organ.
lied for each ward In the city, at the
same meeting.
Senator Morton commenced his speech
by saying that on number Of occasions
he had addressed meetings in this hall
since 1851, but had-never been present al
a meeting where the Republican party
was surrounded by such circumstances Of
congratulations and triumphs. In the
bret time he should occupy he would
not attempt anything like an argument in
favor Of Republican principles. Law.
yers will tell you that when the defendant
comes into Court and conlesses Judgment,
the plaintiff Is not required to prove his
case, Laughter and applause. When
a politician has lived to be more
than fifty years old, and his most
enthusiastic friends are not able to point
to any good thing that he has ever done
In politics; when all his counsels have
borne only the fruit Of blood and misery;
when every measure that he has advocated
has proved either a hlunder or crime:
when all his opinions have been reiuted
either BY time or experience, 1t Is but
natural that he should desire II turn hi.
back upon the past and a,S mr rrrN
issue. When great party, u.Ier lie
leadership Of unWise, unpatriotic or selfish
men has made a shipwreck of the nation,
II Is but natural that the party should try
10 obtain new name and seek to CONC
before the country upon now questions.
So far as the Republican policy OF the
administration is concerned 1t stands vim.
dicated by the confession Of our political
antagonists; while they are proposing to
form new party, foregoing the contract
Of the governments and filling the offices,
they do not propose new policy, and
have nothing to offer better than what
you have. Greeley in himself constitutes
aplattorm which they do not reafirm in
their resolutions, He has advocated the
same measure Of finance for the last four
years, which every intelligent business
man in this audience to night knows
would bring convulsion and ruin
upon this country II they were carried
out. He has advocated in the Tribune
the resumption Of specie payment at
once. Every intelligent gentleman here
tonight knows that II Horace Greeley
was elected and should attempt to carry
out that policy it would result in panic,
the bankruptcy and prostration of all
the business interests. The people ofthe
country cannot afford to change this ad-
ministration. This is particularly the
campaign Of the business men OF all par.
ties. This country is now prospering as
It never has before. The Republican
party has reduced taxation; repealed all
internal revenue except on whisky and
tobacco, and yet the public debt is being
paid at rapid rate, and this has been
done by economy in every department of
government and by an honest and faith.
ful collection OF the revenue. l do not
believe the financial department of this
government has ever been better admins.
tered. The Republican National Con-
vention has presented 10 you again the
name OF Gen. Grant as O candidate for
the Presidency. Enthusiastic cheers.)
He has passed through the ordeal of cal
umny and SANDER as no other man has
done since the days oil Gen. Washington,
yet he comes out without the smell OF fire
upon his garments. There are now three
principal objections to Gen Grant and
to this administration, and they are per-
sonal in their character. They do not
go to the merits. oi the government
at all. They are personal, and when you
come to examine them, you will say so,
too, that they are contemplate. The ad.
has nothing new to offer. We
simply propose to go on as we are going,
of course making reforms from time to
time, for reforms are always in order and
always necessary, because from day to day
the necessities grow up that did not exist
before. The Republican party is emphat.
ically the reform party. Il has made more
and greater reforms than all other parties
in this country put together. My friend,
Mr.. Hendricks, said in his speech
In the Convention here that we
have this day turned our backs
upon the past; we now stand in the
present and we look forward to- the great
iuture-the past is gone. Laughter. |
Now, in all seriousness, was any public
man ever before called upon toinake such
a humiliating confession that great
party ut the end Of its career can only go
before the country by saying we turn our
backs upon the past. We confess that
we have been wrong; we acknowledge our
errors; we cut lose from the past and look
only to the future. The prodigal son,
after he had exhausted his substance,
came back TO his fathers house, asking to
be forgiven, and with promises OF
beginning life anew, and doing better.
All that the Democratic party can Say
now upon entering upon this canvass is,
that we agree to cut loose from all Of our
old principles; we divorce ourselves from
all our past history, as far as possible; we
intend to start In lie anew; We accept all
the principles of Horace Greeley and the
Cincinnati platform; but I ask have they
turned their backs on the past? Can
they do itg Is II in the possibilities Of
human natureH They have declared
their principles from time to time for
twenty-five years, and what they believed
six months ago they believe Tonight
they cannot help It. Men can change
their mind, but cannot change their con.
victions. God alone can change the heart.
The Senator concluded his speech by
an exhortation to the patriotic men Of all
parties to stand fast by the Republican
cause. Neither business men, laboring
men nor capitalists can afford to have
this present policy changed If they want
this country to go on substantially as 1t Is
now going. The people understand their
own interests, and l believe they will
stand by General Grant.
Fatal ARRAY.
LOUISVILLE, June 22.-On the 10th, In
Paducah, Solomon Eaves, while drunk,
heat hia wife and dauUhter nrtra ,enuolv