The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-09-11
SPEECH OF
HON. J. T. UPDEGRAFF.
Delivered at Jackson, Ohio, Monday
August 25th, 1873.

]
control of public affairs to some politica
party. In free governments parties ap
| pear to be necessity, to serve as check
| upon each other. Probably this is tn,
only good reason that can now be giveI
! for the further existence of the Demo
cratic organization, for it seems to be al
| most universally admitted that it hal
outlived its active usefulness. Indeed
| its principles now are mainly genera
negatives In 1908, during the last yeal
of his administration, jefferson declared
the Federal opposition had become "toc
weak for the public good" 1t was tc
have been hoped that the Democracy
would be able to keep up, for while
longer. at least. healthy opposition
Even that seems now in doubt.
If we look upon these contests as mere
ly scramble between candidates and
parties for offices, and the honors and
emoluments that go with them, we may
well despair of popular governments
even while we marvel at our own nation
al prosperity. But with all its abuses
and imperfections, the free thought and
enlightened judgment of the age through
out the world, is realizing and recogniz
ing more and more the supreme truth
that human rights and mans progress
are to be secured only by free govern
ment, and that in its higher advancement
the earth's throned ruler is to be the peo-
pies power. And in this land of univer-
sal education and progressive activities.
public opinion is an enlightened, as well
as a mighty influence, and rules alike
cabinets and caucuses, legislators and
parties In the. decision of public ques-
tions its authority is supreme by the as
sertion of the peoples will as an irresisti-
BILE moral power. Embodied in party
principles it becomes the basis of law and
the controlling influence of civil polity
Thus political canvass becomes not
only contest for official power, but the
authorized decree of an enlightened pop
ular will
Its issues involve not alone the tempo
rary wel[being of the Government, the
success of a candidate or the victory of a
party, but the most vital interests of the
State-the triumph of justice, the honor
of Nation, the preservation of its iber-
ties, the very destiny of an Empire on
its way to prosperity or ruin.
z In this country, under our sregenerated
Constitution, our institutions cannot be
seriously endangered while the mass of
the people remain intelligent and virtu-
Gus, unless the better portion volun tarily
surrender their rights, their duties and
trust. If the best citizens refuse to par
ticipate in the control of public affairs,
necessarily they commit the security of
life and property, the care of the mani
fold material and moral interests of the
State, and the safety and welfare of soci-
ETY. itself into the hands of those unwor-
thy to hold authority. Can good clti-
zen of free government thus abandon
his responsibilities without criminal neg
lect of duty?. But the corruption of pol
itics is urged as a good reason for this
dangerous disregard of inalienable obli-
CATION. If our politics is corrupt, the
duty is only the more imperative for
every faithful member of the common
wealth to enter in, take possession, and
do one mans honest work for its deliv-
erance and regeneration.
Good men are generally faithful guar
dians of their own property and homes
against the lawless spoiler. How can
they be Indifferent to public evils and
public wrongs which affect and endanger
the prosperity and happiness of the whole
people? Civil government is the only
human basis of moral elevation, religious
liberty, and social and material progress.
In the benefits of its institutions all par
ticipate, and so, in free State, should all
ty and permanence. The vast majority
of the people of our country, of all par
ties. are honest and patriotic; and yet
there is not corrupt abuse of power or
public trust that does not owe its exist
ence to the direct influence or the silent
assent of those who are justly called
good eitizens."7 Our country needs, and
is worthy of the best efforts and the best
abilities of its truest men, and of all the
people 1t should command all that
wisdom and patriotism, all that culture,
and conscience, and Christian civilization
can bring to its aid.
And that American citizen is unworthy
of his opportunities and his privileges
untrue to himself, his country and his
ancestral obligations. who daintily stands
aloof from the strife of this supreme duty,
and refuses to assist in guarding for the
present generation, and transmitting to
the millions of the hereafter, the >un
matched heritage of his countrys free
institutions and her benefcent power.
And now, fellow-citizens the political
parties of Ohio come before you, and
each one asks the confidence and sup
port of the five hundred thousand voters
of the State. Each one has history, q
character, and a platform of prin ciples
Months ago the Republican party unturl
ed its banner. 1t bears no new device
it is the same standard that has led the
Republican hosts SO often to victory. 1t
bears emblazoned on its ample folds the
same principles which justice and patri
otism adopted in the very formation oi
our party which wisdom and experience
have abundantly confirmed, and upon
which the people, clothed with the ma
jesty of power, have, year after year, sci
the approving seal of their continued
and abiding trust. The nominees of the
party are good men and true. Among
the many able and popular leaders in
our ranks no better choice could have
been made. Emerson used to say of the
Wings and Democrats, that "one always
| had the best principles and the other the
| best men, The principles of the Re
| publican party and the candidates il
now presents to the people of Ohio
would satisfy Emerson himself that it ii
possible to combine the best of both
Every name is, in ITSELF an element O
strength and popular confidence and al
earnest of success. By unquestioned ano
| spontaneous acclamation, at the head O
that ticket, was again placed the name o
our present Governor, General Edward
F. Noyes. No name in Ohio, or in tn
nation, has risen more rapidly or deserv
edly into universal popular favor. Hi
career of struggles and successes from
the orphan child supporting and educat
ing himself by his own labor, the youn
man making his home among the wide
activities Of the West, the soldier maine
for life in defense of his country, to tn
popular orator, the ripe scholar state.
man without a stain-an executive will
out bIunder-makes him truly ma
of the people-the very incarnation {
American citizenship. No wonder. ths
after his nomination, the leading DEM