The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-11-28
Joint Address of the Liberal Re.
publican and Democratic
Executive COsm0 iEfees
ia.
COLUMBUS. ONO. Nov. 1877

COLUMBUS, OHIO, Nov, 1872.
The Democratic and Liberal Republi-
can Executive State Central Committees,
together with large number of other
representatives of the two organizations
from various parts of the State, held a
consultation meeting this afternoon In
this city, pursuant to the call issued on
the 9th of this month. A committee
has been appointed by the Democratic
and Liberal Republican State Executive
Committees to prepare an address to the
Democrats and Liberals of Ohio for con-
sideration and adoption by this meeting.
This committee consisted of Senator
Thurman, General Thomas Ewing, Gen
eral Brinkerhoff, and John d. Deshler
Senator Thurman, on behalf of the COM
mittee, reported the address to the meet
ing. 1t was considered and unanimously
adopted, as follows:
THE LIBERAL ADDRESS.
To the Democrats and Liberal Republicans
of Ohio:
The Presidential election is over, and
Grant is reelected 1t is not our purpose
at this time to speak of the causes of this
reelection it is the future that demands
your attention, and recurrence to the
past is useful only to ascertain facts and
lessons to teach. A vast majority of the
Democratic party, perhaps ninety-fve per
cent, voted for Greeley. A large num-
Der of citizens heretofore in the Republi-
can organization also voted for him. The
aggregate of these votes, as nearly as we
can estimate, exceed three millions and a
quarter, The nominal popular majority
for Grant is something over half a mil
lion on a vote of nearly or quite seven
millii ms, majority of about seven per
cent This is the result, as nearly as we
are able in the absence of official returns,
to state it. But this vote does not repre-
sent with exactness the sentiment of the
country. 1t is evident that large body
of electors stayed away from the polls.
Nearly every one of these men is an OPP
ponent of the Administration, and had
they seen fit to cast their votes, Grants
popular majority would be very small, if
it, indeed, would exist at all.
The prominent features of the election
may be briefly stated: Ninety-fve per
cent. of the Democrats voted for Greeley.
OF the remaining five per cent. COM
paratively small number voted for Grant
the greater part of them did not vote at
all OF the Liberal Republicans who
joined the party of reform, "a large ma
iority stood fast; while others, despairing
of success, went back to their old associ-
ations, or stayed at home. Now, leaving
out of view the venal men who from cor
rupt motives deserted the cause and voted
for Grant, and who cannot be relied on
by any party that uses none but honor
able means to further its success, it may
be safely affirmed that the great body of
electors who stayed away from the polls
are now, as they have in times past been,
opposed to the dominant Radical
party. 1t is true that they did
not by their votes manifest their OPP
position at the late election, and this
fact is greatly to be regretted; but
let us not rashly cast harsh censure upon
them If they could not overcome their
old feelings and rejudices so far as to
vote for lifelong opponent, we may
deplore the fact, but we should not be
so unj ust as to place them in the ranks
of our enemies. We have an abiding
faith that with time and reflection they
will be found as heretofore actively on
our side. The Radical camp is no camp
for them, nor is it the part of wisdom to
draw party tomahawk upon Democrats
or Liberal Republicans who from con-
scientious but mistaken motives saw fit
/ to vote for Grant The circumstances
were novel and peculiar, such as had new
! er before been seen, and men of the best
| intentions were liable to err. Condemn
as strongly as you will the base men who
sold their votes, but be charitable to
your old friends who under circumstan-
ces of difficulty and embarrassment
differed from you in opinion. Instead
of repelling, strive to win them back.
Free independent thought is the very
essence of Democracy and true Republi-
canism. 1t created the Democratic par
ty in the beginning it has maintained
it ever since. 1t gave rise to the Liberal
Republican element to-day, and to it we
must look for accessions in the future.
What is needed then is not elimination
and recrimination, but the opposite.
Three and quarter millions of electors
have protested by their votes against the
Radical misrule under which the country
has suffered, and which threatens to
overthrow the very foundation of free
government The reasons for their pro
test are as patent to-day as they were
when they cast their votes. By every
consideration of consistency and just
principles these men are bound to contin-
ne to act together. The necessity fol-
reform is likely to increase instead Of
to diminish The advocates of centrali-
cation are likely to become more auda
cious than ever in their attacks upon
local selfgovernment. The exactions O
combined wealth and the corrupt use Of
money in elections are likely to become
established usages, if not speedily re
buked. 1t is no time therefore for any
lover of free institutions, of purity il
elections and government, and of jus
and equal law to relax his efforts nor i
it intelligent or wise or manly to despai
of success. No reform party ever gaineo
its first battle. Consolidated abuses cal
only be overthrow by repeated assaults
Monopoly and corruption ever die hard
but in the end they do die when FREE
and virtuous people will their destruc
ton.
We say then to every friend of reform
be of great cheer. Ohio is we believe tn
only State in which the Radical majorit
of 1868 has been reduced. A few NOR
| struggles, and it will cease to exist.
(Signed) JOHN G. THOMPSON,
Chairman Democratic State Contra
Committee.
(Signed) Z. BRINKERHoFF,
Chairman Liberal Republican State Cen
trail Committee.
What n Political Opponent say
of u udge Miles.
10