American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-31
Speech by Hon. Henry X. Selden.

As 1 participated in the movement which
resulted in the Cincinnati Convention, and
to some extent in the deliberations OF that
Convention, it may be expected that should
allude to the reasons, which induced me to
join in that movement and to the objects
which 1 hope to see accomplished by it.
One of the causes which exercised great
influence in determining my course, was the
fierceness with which every man who had
formerly acted with the Republican party,
was denounced, who presumed to intimate
an opinion favorable to the nomination of
any candidate to the Presidency other than
the present incumbent. Whenever any I'M
lucky wight CHANGED to assume such posi-
ton, every opprobIious epithet which the
English language contains, capable of such
application, was, as il were, simultaneously
showered upon him. 1 shall not attempt to
repeat the epithcts; you will find full
catalogue of them in the files of every Ad-
ministration newspaper. 1 say this, not on
my own account, for both press and people
have treated me with great forbearance, and
personally have nothing to complain Of
1t seemed, however, from the reading OF
the Administration papers, for some time,
both before and after the meeting of the Gin
cinnati Convention, as though new unpar-
donable sin, not alluded to in the Sacred
Record, had been, in these latter days, in
troduced into the world, consisting of oppo-
sition to the reelection of President Grant.
These were indications sufficient to teach
me, without going to Washington, and with
out the aid OF any investigating committee
that the immense power and patronage of
the Federal Government were being made
use Of to secure the nomination and re-elec-
ton of President Grant. Whether that in
huence was exerted by the President per
sonally, by those holding places under
him, did not know, nor did regard it 5 at
all material to inquire. l felt that this
was exerting an improper and dangerous in
huence upon the political affairs of the coun-
try. 1t created kind of terrorism, not
very unlike in its objects, and, in my judg
Ia las dan. fhaVN hat |. nI
has been created by the ku-kluX organiza-
tons at the South not less dangerous, be-
cause more insidious, better organized, and
operating upon a wider field. The exer-
else Of this power was designed to crush out
all Independence of political action, and it
appeared to be rapidly tending toward that
result. was impressed with the idea that
without reference to the personal merits of
candidates, and without much reference to
the measures of Government, the welfare of
the country required that this system of
political terrorism should be arrested
viewing the subject as I have shown, it
seemed to be duty on my part to contrib
ute as far as was able toward the breaking
OF these chains of party bondage and to-
ward aiding others to the extent of my hum
Die example, in the assertion of political
freedom. Before any ardent supporter of
the present Administration denounces this
course, let him remember that the Republi-
can party not long since had its birth in Just
such protest against the action then of ex-
l respect political parties, have always
acted with them, though never their servile
instrument and 1 am aware that no great
work In affairs Of state, when the poole rule,
can be accomplished without them. But
men should be expected to act with them
only through conviction, and never through
Tear; through concurrence in their objects,
and not through fear of being complimented
by party organs with the name of deserters,
traitors, ore-heads, and other like epithets,
they ventured to question the wisdom of
party action. l would be glad to see, and
have faith to believe that shall see the
time when the party whip of Morton will
have become as useless as the slave whip of
Toombs, which he was wont to exercise with
such erect over Congress, and that both will
De laid upon the same shelf, to be gaZed at
by the curious in future times as twin relics
OF departed despotisms.
The one term principle, of which Mr. Gree
ley has long been the advocate, and which I
think should be established, not by Constitu-
fional Amendment, but by public sentiment,
would go far toward removing the evil to
which have alluded. No doubt the Presi-
dent might select his favorite, and lend his
influence to secure to him the succession,
but it would not be possible for any Presi-
dent to concentrate the power OF the Gov
eminent in support Of another, as he could
In his own support There would be too
many candidates for the position to admit of
such concentration.
There are other and more important sub
1ects which fully justified the Cincinnati
understood
that need no more than allude to them.
To one who regards as / do the mainten-
ance OF the appropriate division between the
powers OF the Federal and State Govern
ments as the most important as it is the
most difficult problem of our politics, the
tendency toward the absorption by the Fed
eral Government of the powers properly ap-
pertaining to the States, could not fail to be
alarming 1t is difficult to arrive at the
truth in regard to the disorders which exist
in some Of the Southern States, but there is
reason to believe that these disorders have
been increased rather than diminished by
arbitrary interference of the General Govern
ment; or, If it were not SO at first that il is
SO now. firmly believe that the reconciIia-
ton of the different races, which is indispen-
sible to the termination of those disorders
will be greatly promoted by the change of
administration which we seek Whatever
may have been Mr.. Greeley's previous
opinions, it is obvious that he is now alive to
the necessity of doing more by Cancellation,
ana less by power, than has hitherto been
done, before peace and prosperity can return
to the regions which have been subject to
military rule. His high character for integ-
MY, as wei as humanity, is pledge for the
sincerity Of his statements in this respect.
nave not been very sanguine as to the
advantage to be derived from the proposed
plans for the reform of the Civil Service !;
but would be glad to see Administra-
ton in power which, if it assumed to favor
those plans, would not do it after the man
ner OF the circumlocution office, by studying
now not 10 90 IL.
The granting OF general amnesty, without
restriction to the Southern people engaged
in the late war; which has been obviously in
accordance with the dictates of wisdom
since the termination of the war, has ceased
by the action OF Congress since the meeting
OF the Cincinnati Convention to possess the
Importance that was then attached to it,
rfose who were engaged in that movement
have the satisfaction of believing that their
action fastened, if it did produce, the
action OF Congress, on that subject There
Is still enough left undone in that direction,
TO constitute source of irritation with no
possible corresponding advantage Our
success in the election, will, believe re-
move this remnant of evil, which will hardly
otherwise be removed.
Revenue reform was a leading object with
me, and with others engaged in the Cincin-
natl movement, but it was found that una
nimity on that subject could not be secur-
ed; and as it belongs essentially to Congress
and not to the Executive, it was properly
left Tor action in the Congressional districts
My views differ widely from those of Mr..
Greeley on that subject, but that cannot be
made leading question in the present can
vass, and cannot withhold my support from
him on that account.
1t is vocifcrousIy urged by the supporters
OF General Grant that the success of the
Liberal Republican movement, because their
candidates have been nominated with great
unanimity by the Democratic Convention at
Baltimore, and because that nomination is
likely to give the ticket the greater portion
OF its support, will be the restoration to
power OF the old Democratic party Even
this were true the fact would have no ter
rors Tor me, who never differed materially
from the Democratic party, excepting upon
Inc subject of slavery, and the questions
growing out OF slavery, and that sub