The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-10-31


Now, gentlemen,I maintain that you may search
all the records of history, ancient, modern. and
medieval, and all the wars known since govern
ments were formed, without finding a parallel to
the clemency, and mercy, and forbearancc. and
generosity of this government toward the rebels.
(Cheers.) just think of the
FOUR LONG, WEARY YEARS OF WAR.
of the countless treasures that were swept ont eff
existence forever and the still more precious lives
that fill 100000 bloody and honorable graves.
Against you there was more than million of men.
and three millions as alders and abettors in the
treason. With the war closed, there has not been
single life demanded, there has not been a single
dollar of property of any rebel conscated (cheers)
not a dollar. And when have said that have not
told you half, the disabilities have been removed
from the millions, and at this very hour there are
not to be found existing in the length and breadth
of this country more than 235 men who are under
political disabilities. That penalty so far as the
laws of the United States extend, merely deprives
them OF the right to hold office; but does not de-
prive them of the right to vote.
Gentlemen, such clemency, 1 say, can nowhere
be found.
But yesterday, at the close of the Franco-Prus-
sian war, in a single city revolt was organized,
and but for a few weeks the commune held sway
in Paris against the temporary government of NJ
Theirs, which succeeded the fall of the empire
For that brief rebellion in single city against
temporary government, 80, 900 men have been sent
into
TRANSPORTATION FOR LIFE,
more than 100 have gone to the guillotine, and
more than double that number are lying in French
prisons to-day awaiting trial. And we, with this
incompatible rebellion, so large that this does not
furnish unit 10 our million, have not exacted a
single dollar forfeit single life. CHEERS
And yet Mr.. Greeley makes an issue on these 285
men. am ready to meet him on that issue The
Republican party has stripped the disabilities from
every one of these, and have gone so far that at
this hour, if the House of Representatives was
open, you would find the seats of % members Glled
by men who were officers In the rebellion.
These 2s5 men are those who violated their par
ticular oath senators and representatives and
joined the rebellion: officers who violated their oath
and joined the rebellion, who deserted their posi-
tons the distant frontier, and, under circum-
stances ofpecuiar atrocity, and joined the rebel
lion; they are the men who deserted our ships on
foreign shores, who left cabinet positions to join
the rebellion; who resigned from the federal ju-
dietary and soiled the ermine; and, finally, they
are the men who, trusted in diplomatic stations,
brought their government into shame by joining
the rebellion. hese men conetit ute the class
that make up the 2S5. AS Mr.. Greeley is so ur-
gent for amnesty let as not discuss these men as
class, but take one or two individuals let us
take one at least Mr. Jacob Thomnson who was
secretary ofthe Interior under Buchanan, the man
with whom Mr.. Greeley hobnobbed at Niagara, in
1854 when Generals Grant, Sherman, Logan and
Others were at the front. But while Mr. Greeley
was hurrying to and fro on this errand of peace,
JACK Thompson had no idea whatever of such ne
gotations. He was fooling Mr.. Greeley. His OBJ
ject and his purpose far different from that
supposed. We know now, by letter in his own
hand writing, over his signature, just what
he was there for. He there for object OF
inconceiveable wickedness, an object which 1
have not language sufficient to designate He was
there organizing conspirac:es, rs you we'll know,
to burn the cities of the north in the night time.
He had 500 600 in he banks of Toronto and Mon
treal with which TO organize bands of desperate
men, who were to burn these.cties, involving in
the hopeless destruction every considerable city ia
the north. Your own beautiful city Yves ono es-
pecially marked for destruction. Thompson tells
US why he did not'succeed. There was certain
Greek fire which did not ig nire quite so rapidly,
and did not burn over 80 large surface warran-
ted in the patent, and then there were so many
Lincoln hirelings about, too many detectives thai
were interfering with the Dem ocratic doctrine OF
local self government. (Laughter.) And now this
man with this incoEceivabe wickedness, organ
izing rebellion organizing conspiracies, nvolvin g
in helpless and hopeless destruction the old and
the young, innocent babes, women and children
| this man whose wickedness have no language 10
describe, no words to designate, except, as some
times think, were to gather all the vicious, VIC
! lent, and vindictive things that Mr. Greeley has
said about Democrats, into one single pellet, and
fire them at the head of Jack Thompson, 1 could
in some Iaint way reach near an expression of The
| truth. Cheers and laughter. And now Mr..
Greeley solemnly tells you that one of the great
objects OF this party of reconciliation is to bring
such scoundres as that back where they can en-
joy the privileges Of holding office with you and
me. In his letter accepting the Baltimore n0mi
ma ion he urges !his policy, not only in words to
inset the wishes Of the few individuals, but saws
of the millions Of loyal people that so long as these
men are under disabilities, that you are deprived
of the privileges of voting for them Now, do any
of you here in Milwaukee banker for the chance
of voting for Jack Thompson Don't you fee
cruelty deprived Of some great personal and con
Utitutional right? With regard to these men who
were the. promoters OF the conspiracy without
whom it would never have existed, say for one
and wish TO bind ne other person, that so long n.
God shall in His goodness spare their guilty live,
desire that they may walk mp and down before
men in this generation with the scarlet letter q
treason blazoned on their brows as a warning ant