Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-08


When / entered the Senate there
were but ten Democrats in it, against sixty
Republicans. But, during all this time
during the four years of war, and the nine
years of peace that have elapsed
since the war cl0sed-the Republican party
has had a Triumphant majority in both
branches of the 6 vernment OF the United
States. Ii hes had absolute control over
the currency and finances Of the country.
II has exercised that control. II has legis-
lated out of existence all the old banks.
and set up its own Institutions in their
places The Republicans have claimed TO
be the wisest and best financiers the world
ever saw, and, therefore, l say that if
these evils and sufferings of the peo-
pie are 10 be laid at the feet of any
political party, they must be laid at
the feet Of the Radical leaders Of the ma
tion. 1Cheers.1 But, my friends, while
it no doubt is true that this condition of
the country has Influenced the vote ofmany
men directly, yet believe its indirect ef-
feet has been greater than its direct effect,
in this way. While everything was going
on in apparent prosperity; when the wheels
of industry were all in motion, and every
man was getting good wages and every
thing looked bright and cheerful, and, al
though there was a volcano liable to
eruption at any momenI, and al
though an earthquake was liable to open
under their feet, still the people did not
see it. They thought all was going well,
and they gave TO the Administration and
to our Radical rulers the credit of the pros
perity Of the country: and in doing that
they overlooked the violation Of the Con-
stitution and of liberty; the violation of
the habits and feelings and instincts OF the
people, and the assumptions Of power and
the misconduct of the Radical party and
the Radical rulers They shut their eyes
to them. They did not like to see the
Constitution violated. 8 They did not like
to see the civil power overturned.
They did not like to see martial law
practiced over eleven States of the Union.
But they shut their eyes and said, Time
will redress this. The country is prosper
Gus. We will say nothing about these
things, and redress them in the future
But when the country ceased to be pros
porous; when the reality Of suffering and
Indebtedness was brought home to every
mans door, then these men who closed
their eyes to the violation or the Constitu-
ton, and of every right of the American
PcOPlCs SuCA ttlCcC uACu3 VIM A1a NAOoC0
their eyes to the persecution of one-third of
the United States, opened their eyes
and gave vent to Their feelings, and the re-
suit has been, my friends, what so often
called a tidal wave. Why is il a tidal
wave? Let no man think it is an ordinary
earthquake. Let no man think its effects
viii soon pass away. No, my friends, the
foundations of the splendid victories
achieved this year were laid last year. The
foundation of the victory obtained
this year in Ohio was laid by
the thorough victory obtained in
the hour of supreme need last year. ['sThree
cheers for Ohio."l And the wave has only
acquired strength in 1874. But, my
friends, is it not high tide-[cheers-nOt by
a good deal; it is only rise of about six
feet. That, l think. is about spring tide.
In Washington, in 1876, il will be a Bay
Of Fundy high tide Of sixty eet-[cheesl-
my friends; aud then will this miserable
under which these people |
have been prosecuted so long, l believe and |
trust, God may grant, be swept away |
forever"