The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-08-30

and not until then, will our prosperity
and power be renewed, and our coun-
try become, as il was in former days,
the wonder sand admiration of tho
world.
remain, with great regard, your
friend and obedicnt servant,
REvERDY JOHNSON.
TO Me Honorable Jamcs BrOoks,
Ncw York.
ADMIRABLE LETrEB OF HON. ). II.
SLATER.
His Patriotic stand for Greeley.
La GRAsDE, OnEoos,
August 16, 1872.
II. II. Pomeroy:
SIn:-My attention has just been
called TO the fact that in your paper
of August 3rd my name is gwen
among others as one to whom "com-
munications" may be addressed in
the interest OF the proposed Louis
vile Convention. This, of course,
implies that am favorable TO that
movement and willing to go to work
to make it success, which l beg to
inform you is altogether q mistake.
The publication of my name in the
connection referred to places me in
false position at home and abroad to
correct which is the object of this let
ter.
While n candidate from our own
ranks would have been very much
more acceptable to me than Mr.
Greeley. l am not, however, Inclined
to make, or assist in making, factious
opposition 10 the fairly EXPIRES ed
choice of the convention of our party
at Ba timore, which expression un-
doubtedly reflects the will and wish
es of vast majority of the Democ-
racy of the Union. / shall support
the ticket a. presented at Baltimore
and Cincinnati. not because it. or the
platform, is oil that could wish bat
for the reason that Greeley, the Re-
publican. will. in my Judgement.
make better President than Grant,
the corruptionist, nepotist and gift
taker, and for the further reason that
in the present condition of parties
every road which leads from Greeley
and Brown leads 10 Grant. Even
silence ut the polls on the part of
Democrats will be direct aid to Grant,
inasmuch as such withholding of the
Lallot by Democrats will, by every
ballot SO withheld, increase the chau-
ces Of Grants success. The propos-
ed Louisville Convection, If it means
anything, and is to have any infu-
ence whatever in the November cleo
ton, means the election of Grant.
It con have no other purpose, aud
unless it shall have influence TO pro-
duce just that result. it must of ne
cessity prove TO be most miserable
failure. This movement Nay be
glossed over rs q patriotic effort to
'reorganize the Democracy" but all
the glossing that eau be bestowed
upon it will be insufficient to conceal
the fact that it is. in spirit. purpose
aud iutent q movement directly in
the interest of Grant. II is urged
that as between two Republicans,
Democrats can have no choice. This
is an ingenious play upon words. but
it is in no sense frank or honest
statement of the case Mr. Greeley
and Grant are both Republicans in
name, but here the parallel entirely
ceases. Que, for more than three
years OF his administration as Chief
Executive has, by all the vast powers
of his exalted station. sought to
make the military superior to the
civil power of the Republic.
He has asked for, and o servile
and truculent Congress has granted
him, extraordinary powers, danger
GUS to the liberties of the people, and
of doubtful constitutional propriety,
all of which powers he has exercised
for the purpose of personal and party
aggrandisement. And not content
with the limitations of the original
act as to time he has sought by fur
ther legislation, TO retain taese extra
ordinary powers until after the No
vember election for no other ap-
proved purpose than to possess the
power to silence the voice of opposit.
ion in the prison cell, and re-elect
himself to the Presidency by the
power of the baSonst. Under his
administration the right of local self
government has been denied, in
many of the late insurrectionary
States, and the voice of their people,
through the ballotbox, has been sill
enced, aud their elections have been
turned into farce. Corruption in
Office has increased to an alarming
extent. Nepotism has been practiced
to the disgrace of the nation, and
interference in the local concerns of
the States has become chronic with
the Administration ut Washington.
All these evils are antagonized by
Mr.. Greeley, and the issues present
ed are: The supremacy of the civil
over the military power of the govern
n ent; the right Of local self-govern-
ment by the people; free elections,
without the interference of Federal
authority or Federal dictation, or ad
ministrative manipulation; honest
men in Office, aud an honest and
faithful discharge of official duty.
Is it possible that Democrats have
no choice in these issues? True they
are rendered in the person of Re-
publican; but can Democrats refuse
their support to Mr.. Greeley and his
side of these issues, and not fail to
perform the duty which belongs to
the honest citizen and voter? 1t ap-
pears to me that the practical lesson
taught by experience is, that if we
would engraft Democratic measures