The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-06-18
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

knowledgement of the honor which has
been conferred upon me. l accept the
as candidate for Vice Presi-
dent, and indorse most cordially the res,
olutions setting forth the principles on
which this appeal is made to the whole
people of the United States.
A century is closing upon our expert
cnce of Republican Government, and
while that lapse of time has witnessed
great expansion of our free institutions,
yet it has not been without illustrations
also of the grave dangers to the stability
of such a system. OF these successful
lv encountered, it is needless to speak
Of those which remain to menace us, the
most threatening are provided against,as
| firmly believe, in the wise and pacific
measures proposed by your platform
1t has become the practice of those ele-
waited to positions of National authority
to regard the public service not as q pub
lie trust, but only as means to retain
power. This results in substituting
mere party organization for the Govern
ment itself; constitutes a control amen.
able to no laws or moralities inpairs
the independent thought, enables the
few to rule the maryland makes personal
allegiance the road to favor. 1t requires
little forecast to perceive that this will
wreck our liberties unless there be inter-
posed timely reform of the Admins.
tration, from its highest to its lowest sta
ton, which shall not only forbid abuses,
but likewise take away the incentive to
their practice. Wcaried with the con-
tentions that are carried on in avarice Of
.spoils, the country demands repose, re-
seats the efforts of officials to dragoen
it again into partisan hostilities, and will
zealously sustain any movement prom
Using sure deliverance from the perils
which have been connected with the
war. ..g
1t is safe TO say that only those are
now TO be feared which come of an
abuse of victory into permanent .es-
arrangement The Uhfon is fortified by
more power than ever before, and it re
mains as an imperative duty to cement
our Nationality by a perfect reconciia-
ton, At'the North widespread SYM
.pathy is aroused in behalf of those
States of the South, which, long after the
termination of resistance to the right,
and Federal authority, are still plunder-
ed, under the guise of loyalty, and ty-
rannized over in the name of freedom
Along with this feeling is present, too,
the recognition that in complete amnesty
alone eau be found hope Of any return
to Constitutional government, as Of old,
or any development of q more enduring
uni Y, and broader National life in the
future Amnesty, however, to be eflica-
cioHs, must be real not nominal; genuine,
not etasive ). it must carry along with it
equal rights, as well as equal freedom to
all for the removal of disabilities as to
some, with endorsements as to Others,
leaves room for suspicion that it is meas
ured by political gain. Especially will
such proffercd clemency be futile in the
presence of renewed attempt at pro
longing suspension of the habeas cor.
pus; in persistent resort to martial rather
than civil law; in upholding those agen-
cies nsed to ALLEVIATE races where con
cord is most essential, and in preparing
another elaborate campaign on basis
of dead issues and arbitrary interven-
-tions. All will rightly credit such con-
duct as but a mockery of amnesty, and
demand al administration which can
give better warrant of honesty in the
great work OF reconstruction and re-
form. In the array of sectional inter-
es.s Republic, SO widespread as ours,
is never entirely safe from serious con
flicts. 'h 'es 8,.
These become still more dangerous
when complicated with taxation, where
unqualified burdens are believed to be
imposed on one part at the expense of
another part 1t was bold as well as an
admirable policy in the interest of the
present as well as future tranquility to
withdraw the decision Of industrial and
revenue matters from the virtual arbitra.
ton of an. electoral college, chosen with
a single anImaliug purpose of party as
tendency. and refer them for more di-
rect popular expression to each Congress
sional district Instead of being muz-
zled by some evasive declaration. the
country is thereby invited To its frankest
.uttcrance, and sections which would re-
volt at being denied a voice, out OF diff
ference to other success, would be con
tent to acquiesce in a general Judgment
honestly elected. If local government
be, as it undoubtedly Isl, the most vital
principle of our institutions, much ad
vance will be madetoward reestablishing
il by enabling the people to pass upon
questions, so nearly affecting their well be-
ing, dispussionately, through their lncal
Representations The precipitancy which
would forcea controlling declaration on
tax or tariff, through Presidential can.
didacy. is only u disguised form of cen.
tralization, Involving hazardous reaches
of executive influence. The conclusion
will be much more impartiallvl determin.
ed, and with less disturbance to trade
and finance by appealing to the most
truthful and diversified local expression
Industrial issues cai be thus likewise
emancipated from the power of great
mdnopolists, each canvass made TO de
termine it's own specific instrtietion, and
each representative held to fidelity to-
ward his immediate constituents.
These are the most prominent features
of that general concert of action, which
purposes to replace the present admins
tralion by one more in sympathy with
the aspirations Of the masses. of oul
countrymen. OF course such concert
cannot be ebattalned by thrusting every
minor or past difference into the, fore.
ground, and it will be for the people
therefore, 10 determine whether these
objects ale of such magnitude and pres
ent urgency as to justify them in defer
ring other adjustments until the country
shall be first restored to free suffrage
uninhuenced by official dictati6n, anS