The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-15
SPEECH
Gov. Hendricks.
DELIVERED AT IsDIANApoL1s sBp. LITE,

DELIVERED AT INDIANAPOLIS SEP. l4TH.
The fortunes of the republican party had
become so desperate at the late adjournment
OF Congress that it was found necessary to
appeal to the people in
A CONGRESSIONAL ADDRESS
to stand by the leaders. The address was
signed by thirty-nine members, constitut-
ing the congressional committee. Gen.
John Coburn, of this State, was one of the
thirty-nine. They ask to be continued
in power, and their army of eighty
Thousand office-holders to be perpetcated
on the pay-rolls, because they are good and
the democrats are bad. And they go back
thirty years before the war to prove the latter.
think no Indianian had a right to sign a
paper saying that from 1880 to 1860
there is hardly memory left connected
with the control of public affairs. .'at which
the nation should not blush" During that
thirty years our population increased from
twelve to thirty-one million, and the wealth
and commerce of the country correspond
ingly advanced. The resources were gradu-
ally but steadily developed. The people
were prosperous, contented and happy You
know that bad government could not bear
such fruit. That period included the greater
part of JacksoD's administration, which is
vet distinguished for integrity. firmness
and craftsmanship, and which strengthened
the confidence of the world in free and re-
publican institutions. During that period
Texas was annexed, a country large enough
for three great States; and now, after the
public lands under the control of Congress
have been so largely granted away, no por-
ton of our country offers greater advant-
ages 10 our people, who need and seek cheap
homes and farms, than Texas. That period
includes the administration of the treasury
by James Guthrie, of Kentucky, great
man, who did not suffer the loss OF one
dollar Of the peoples money. That gener-
alton has passed away, but il has left many
names illustrious for patriotic devotion to
country and elevated craftsmanship. What
think you of Jackson, Of Benton, and Cass,
and Silas Wright, of Marcy and Woodbury.
aud of Douglass? Did they not always and
everywhere vindicate their country's right
and honorS and in the great contests with the
giants of the whig party were they not able,
with dignity and credit, to maintain
themselves, their party and their cause?
Over them, their works and their achieve
ments, this congressional committee of
thirty-Rine, moved by the spirit OF modest
virtue, and like the sons of Noah going
backward would throw the mantle of forget
fitness. Who are the committee of thirty
nine, good souls and pure, who are so
ashamed and would have the country blush
for what our fathers did? 1 will not name
them all; that would be too much. So
much excellence and virtue would over
come you, as an excess of light would blind
you. Chandler, Cameron, ConoVer, of
FloEida Mitchell, of Oregon; Cobb, of Kan
sass some delegates from the territories and
Stewart, of Nevada.
The meeting OF the committee for last read
ing of the address must have presented a
scene of thrilling interest. The delicate
sensibilities of Chandler were thoroughly
aroused by the sentiment that he lived in
times of such elevated purity, and that he
was not exposed to The corrupting infiu-
ences of association with Andrew Jackson.
AT first, Mr.. Cameron was disturbed by
some obscure reference to official integrity,
which was limited at as proper, for it sug-
gested the disagreeable memory of the reso-
luton of the House of Representatives
during the war, whichunade it necessary for
him to abdicate the war department; but
when he perceived the blows struck at the
men of the past he was comforted, for
they hit that granite man, William L. Marcy,
who set an example of illiberality
and unkindness i'm that office in his conduct
of the Mexican war, in not allowing his
friends and partisans to grow rich off of the
army and the peo p1e.
Mitchell, of Oregon, had been a little un-
fortunate in coming int the Senate with a
very disagreeabie odor about his character,
so much so, indeed, that others were Stless
in sitting in theehamber with him. but that
was past, iumigatory explanations had been
made, and they had become accustomed to
it, as indeed they have lately become accus-
toned TO good many new things: but his
distress on that account was forgotten in
the abasement which he felt in con-
templating so much above him, the
sublime faith OF Stephen A. Douglas, in
mans right and capability for self-gOvern-
ment.
Senator Clayton, of Arkansa 8, could prod
erly sign such an address, ecause he had
irlxr oSf1f tod Ia
could not tell why the gentle delegates, po-
zitical eunochs, from Colorado, New Mexico
and Arizona should displey so much passion
towards the men of the past. But upon re-
Election knew 1t was because hey had seen
SO much of the Indian service ut there, and
so appreciated its purity, its ustice to the
white man, and It's care for the Indian, that
they could not endure the stei n and posi-
tive way in which jackson anadt the Indian
obey the authority of the coun try, and the
white man respect the rights of the Indian.
True, the service has been uni ortunate OF
ate; 1t costs above seven million dollars for
the supplies ana maintainsnce, whereas it
used to cost, when the numb, Or was far
greater, but three million dollar 5. And if
we include the military govern ment and
control the cost must be many tim es greater;
md the misfortune is that the Indian is be-
coming worse, and the borders more inse-
,ure.
But if am mistaken in suppt ,sing that it
vas the Indian service which SC moved the
'ulo minds of these delegates, tt zen it must
% their long residence in the city
# Washington, and their observation
Il the highest development of their
'arty In the government and i'm
,royement of the District of Columbia
True, a terrible and crushing debt has been
reated, reaching nearly thirty mil lion dol
airs, which Congress will probably pay out
# the treasury; and corruption bon fsway,
} that even the form of republican govern
Tirate was established and rules the capital
f the nation. But what carethese de legsies
or all that? They see the ga -nr
md the splendor of the city, avail
md they look with contempt upon the
heap and plain style that prevailed durin g
he thirty years which they denounee-E 1t may
ave been this feeling that caused them
o unite with Gen. Coburn and the 0Gbers |