Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-11-06
senator Thurman on che
Late Democratic X1-6-
N2ReDh.

made a speech at the Democrat
&c celebration in Cleveland q
few neghts ago. Owing to q sud
den illness he was unable to be
present, but he sent a speech
that he had prepared for the oc-
caslon, which was read to the
meeting, and from which we
make some brief extracts which
are especially interesting at this
time. He said:
The victory we celebrate means
more than the perpetuity of the
Democratic party.
1t means that dead issues shall
remain dead issued, and til at no
party ii succeed upon any but
the living issued of the day.
1t means that the people can
no longer be moved by mean.
miserable, false charges against
the Democratic party in respect
to the war.
1t means that the Government
shall be reformed, and that no
genius however exalted, no serv-
ices however great, can atone for
a WANT OF integrity.
1t means that tie Government
shall be administered in the in
terest Of the people and not in
the Interest Of schemers and
'ings
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
lightened and Its burdens be i'm
poeed with greater equality and
justice.
1t means that the Constitution
is not obsolete, and that It's pro
visions can not be violated with
impunity.
1t means that the Federal Gov
eminent shall he supported in
the exercise Of It's constitutional
rights, aud that qualification or
secession shall not be tolerated;
but, on the other hand. that local
self-government shall be pre-
served and the reserved rights of
the States aud the peop'e be
maintained.
1t means that individual liber-
ty 81 all be cherished and pro
tected instead of being arbitrari-
ly restrained.
All this it meaus, for with
these principles inscribed on our
banner we went to battle and,
lighting for them, won the victo-
ry'
The obstacle to The develop
ment eff the Democratic principle
that was found in the institution
of slavery has forever been re-
moved by the shock of arms and
a constitutional amendment, and
the South equally with the North
now advocates equal and exact
justice to all men.
1t follows from what l have
said that our party is not a close
corporation, as it has sometimes
been called. The very reverse
is the truth. True it clings to its
principles with something akin
to devotion, for they are its very
life blood; but it throws its doors
wide open to all who are willing
to enter and act with it. 1t as
signs no back seats to those who
come in, but welcome them with
~fraternal regard and terms of
perfect equality. Appealing to
the common sense and patriot
ism of all who are opposed to
misrule, it says: Why will you
let prejudices and passions that
ought to be buried prevent you
from joining the only party that
Is at once powerful, organized
and striving for reform? What
is past IS past and can not be re-
called. Bus what exists and
what is to come-the present and
the future-concern us all and
all alike. Jpn these living is
sues our opinions are substanti-
ally the same. Why then should
we not act together like patriotic
men and by one grand effort res
cue our country from the evils
and dangers that beset it?
The Republican party was
on opposition to slavery.
Slavery is gone, never to be re-
and the foundation of the
party no longer exists. 1t can
make no claim to a prolongation
its power save by a wise and
pure administration. But unfor-
:unately for it, unfortunately for
he country, its administration,
II many and grave particulars,
las been neither wise nor pure.
With its record of the peoples
ands bestowed upon corpora.
ions; Of Credit Mobilier frauds
nd Congressional corruption; Of