The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-04
speech of Hon. VIM. Allen, of Ohio.

On the evening of the eighth, about two
to three hundred citizens called at the resi-
dence of Hon. VIM. Allen, for the purpose
of rendering him their congratulations on
his recent nomination for Governor, and
complimenting him by serenade, for which
purpose an excellent brass band accompa,
MED them. After arriving at Mr.. Aliens
residence the honorable gentleman was adj
dressed briefly by Hon. L. F. Neal. Mr..
Allen made the following response:
Nc Friends and Fell0l0 Citizens.-Dur-
ing my life have had much experience in
the ebb and flow Of political sentiment and
feeling in the United States. / have seen
the people constantly arrayed against each
other, actuated in their feelings and formed
into opposing masses by conflicting ideas
and interests, and these masses have always
been dignifed by the name of parties. Alb
solute unanimity of feeling and sentiment
is not to be expected among mankind on
any subject, because of the different views
they entertain, and which difference of
views organize them into hostile array-the
one side against the other. As long as
mankind enjoys free government, free
thought, free speech and free press, there
must be n division of sentiments. There
are always two broad distinctions taken
with regard to party. In every free
government there must be two par
ties, and outside of these parties, will
always be found little factions and cphe-
neral knots Of dissatisfied men that spring
up in single night, and as suddenly pass
away in the morning. We viii, however,
never see the day when the two great origi-
nal parties win cease to exist, though their
names may, and undoubtedly will, be
changed. If you suppose that it is a great
calamity to have two great parties, you are
mistaken When any party. no matter OF
whom composed, has no restraint, its lead
ers abuse the power intrnsted to them. Il
has been said that the Democratic organiza-
ton to a certain extent acted unwisely in at
tempting to restrain the unbridled fury Of
the opposition in the late great struggle in
this country. That is grave mistake. The
passions of the other party carried them far
beyond what their sober prudence would
have dictated in their conduct Of the late
war, and It was necessary that while the
Union should be preserved intact, and the
supremacy and dignity Of the Federal gov
eminent vindicated, the matter should not
be allowed to run into the channels Of
bloody revenge; therefore It became neces-
sary that the Democratic party should enter
protest, and that Northern feeling should
iatcrcede when these ends had been accom-
plished, and had it not been for this protest
on the part Of the Democracy, let me ask
you where would the war have endedl
You can answer, in the destruction Of the
whole South and the Southern people.
But the destructive feeling found It's check
in the North, and mainly in the Democratic
organization. The Democracy said 10 their
friends IN thc other party, prosecute the
war 70 that pcint that j. necessary 70 insure
the salvation Of the Onion. and then stop
Che shedding % blood. IN that case the
sentiment 50 expressed was tie saivation
81 the country The Democracy 81 the
North sent forth large numbers q their
Young men 10 all IN Sighting he battles Tor
the preservation Of tie government but
when that end was accomplished, and the
southern people checked - theif headlong
carccr involving tie Disruption ol TIE cDun-
tn. The Democratic party believed that i
was time 10 stop, and impioFed the Federal
government not 70 deyasiaic fhe whole
country.
The mistake was mt - iAuei in tllc war
IS IN tile coadncl pursued uhcn peace was