American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-11-08
The Victory in Ohio.

At Cleveland, on the 25th ult.. the Hon.
Allen G. Thurman spoke as follows in
relation to the recent Democratic triumph
in Ohio:
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1 am here tonight to
show my respect for you and to participate in
your rejoicing, rather than to make a speech.
shall therefore speak briefly. The battle
has been fought and won; corruption has
been rebuked; and the cause OF genuine re-
form has acquired new and, may we not hope,
We have assembled not to triumph insult
ingly over our opponents, not to wound the
feelings OF any upright man, but to give ex-
preston to the natural Joy we feel at a vic
tory destined, we believe, to benefit all. And
surely We have cause for rejoicing. The
grand old party to which we belong has been
amply indicated, its patriotism and honesty
OF purpose have been fully endorsed, its
name and organization have been preserved,
and its capacity for usefulness has been com
pletely demonstrated. Disheartened by re-
Peated defeats many good men had begun to
despair and to think that success could never
be achieved under the old name and the old
banner. They will think 60 no longer. They
must now see that while free Institutions
exist the Democratic party must exist; and
this Tor the plain reason that, more fully than
any other party, it is imbued with the spirit
of freedom. 1t is the natural party of free
institutions, and SO long they survive it
cannot die. This accounts for its vitality, that
seems SO marvellous to superficial minds. 1t
lives because it deserves to live, 1t lives be-
cause its foundations are the great and endur-
ing principles OF sef-government and equal
rights. Hence it has stood firm and intact in
adversely and in the still greater trial of long
continued power and prosperity. 1t has erred
at times-for 1t Is human to err-but 1t has
never abandoned the cause of the people or
yielded its assent to the arts of corruption.
1t was once said of another party, by one of
its most distinguished members, that it was
plumber" No such remark could ever be
truly made Of the Democratic party. Even
when its power was most unrestrained it was
party OF economy and honesty in govern
ment. Then look at the last twelve years
during which it has been out of power in the
Federal and most Of the State Governments,
having NO public patronage Of any kind, and
yet maintaining its organization with the
same tenacity it displayed in the days of its
prosperity.
But the victory we celebrate means more
than the perpetuity of the Democratic party
1t means that dead issues shall remain dead
Issues, and that no party can succeed upon
any but the living issues Of the day.
1t means that the people can no longer bt
moved by mean, miserable, false charges
against the Democratic party in respect to the
war.
1t means that the Government shall be re
formed, and that no genius, however exalted
no services, however great, can atone for {
want Of integrity.
1t means that the Government shall be ad
ministered in the interest Of the people, anG
not in the interest of schemers and rings.
1t means that economy shall take the place
of profusiOn, and equal and exact justice the
place of oppression.
1t means that taxation shall be Hghtened
and its burdens be imposed with greater equal
ity and Justice
1t means that the Constitution is not obso
lete, and that its provisions cannot be violated
with impdnity.
= hof he Eado II
be supported in the exercise of its constitu
tional rights, and that notification or seces
siod shall not be tolerated; but, on the othe
hand, that local self-government shall be pre-
served, and the reserved rights OF the State
and the people be maintained.
1t means that individual liberty shall b.
cherished and protected, instead of being arbi
trariiy restrained.
All this 1t means, for with these principle
inscribed on our banner we went to battle
and, fighting for them, won the victory.
1t has been said of us, by our opponents
that we are men absorbed In y vain admiration
of the past, and incapable Of appreciatin;
anything that does not bear the stamp of an
tiquity. And the sarcasm uttered long ag
against tho Bourbons-''that they learne
nothing and forgot nothing''-has been freel
applied to US. Nothing could be more untrue
more unjust, than these accusations. IT,
principle OF Democracy, upon which our pare
is founded, has been, and is yet, the creates
innovatOr of modern times. Its influence wa
felt in Europe when the continent Of Americ
was yet unknown Our forefakhers brough
1t with them when they crossed the grea
ocean, and in every settlement they made fror
Plymouth Rock to the Gulf of Mexico, it be
came the vital principle Of the colonial govern
ments. 1t found full expression in the grea
Declaration OF seventy-six, and more than an
other cause, perhaps, served to achieve Amel
lean Independence. From that day to this it la
battled steadfastly for tho rights of the people
1t has opposed property qualifications, spcci;
full
forms. 1t has elevated the humble, ameioratc
the condition Of the poor, disseminated educs
ton, and welcomed 10 our shores the opprcss
ed Of the world. 1t has liberalzed, more G
less, nearly every government in Europe, an
has overturned thrones erected more than
thousand years ago 1t is still at work to fire
mankind from oppression, to improve the col
dition Of labor, and to bless all men by a sy.
TEN OF equal and just laws. Such is the den
ocratlc principle, and party like ours that
founded upon it, must from its very natur
and consultation, be party of progress.
The obstacle to the development of III
democratic principle that we found in the il
stitution OF slavery has forever been removed
by the shock OF arms and the Constitution;
Amendment, and the South, equally with til
North, now advocates equal and exact justic
to all men.
1t follows, from what have said, that OF
party is not close corporation as it has SOM
times been called. The very reverse ID I'll
truth. True it clings to its principles wit
something akin to devotion, for they are i
very life-blood; but it throws its doors vic
open to all who are willing to el
ter and act with it. 1t assigns
back seats to those who come il
but welcomes them with frate-nal regard al
terms of perfect equality. Appealing to IL
common sense and patriotism Of all who al
opposed to misruIe, it says: Why will you Il
Prejudices and passions that ought to
buried, prevent you from Joining the only par
That IS at once powerful, organized, and stri
ing for reform! What is past is past and ca
not be recalled. But what exists and what
10 come-the present and the fstuIre-concel