Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-09-10
Address of t,oy. palmer.


Gov. John M. Palmer, upon taking the
chair as presiding officer of the Liberal
and Democratic Convention, at Spring
field, ILL.,:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN-I
had no expectation until since 1 entered
this hall this afternoon TO take any part
in the deliberations of this body than
as a simple member. When L was in
formed that l had been selected to pre-
side over this body, my first impression
was that the selection was not proper
one. Party conventions, if they accom-
plish the objects for which they are
convened, should be composed of men
who agree in the great objects which
they have met to promote. So far as L
am concerned, 1 have been for years
acting with political organiza-
ton with which 1 differ at present.
For years, indeed, until 1872, for many
years / did not act with many of the
gentlemen that see before me to-day.
1t is true that in the earlier days of my
life acted with the Democratic party,
and see before me many gentlemen by
whose side / have waged ruinous war
fare against what I believed to be seri-
GUS error. We were separated by ques-
tons that have passed away, and we are
reunited again to-day on principles that
were cherished by me then, and that
were simply lost sight of by more press
ing and earnest questions. This con-
vention to-day is composed in a meas
ure OF men who have hitherto differed
in regard to questions that were of mo-
ment; yet they were temporary and
have passed away. This convention
has assembled with the view of reor-
ganizlng, with the view of addressing
our minds to the present demands of
the hour. 1t is called that we may for
get the prejudices of the past, and
unite now for the vindication of correct
principles and bring the country back
to it's original position. Applause.
Gentlemen, the duties of a tree citi-
zen are of overcoming obligation.
1t is not enough for you or myself to
say that we did our duty twenty, or ten,
or one year ago, or yesterday. The duty
of free man is now at this moment. 1t
makes no difference, gentlemen, what
were my views of public policy five
years ago or ten years ago. 1t can make
no difference to you what were the party
names that we bore five or ten years ago.
1t is your duty and mine, having an eye
single to the glory and honor of our
country and to the well-being of our
fellow citizens, to learn the duties OF
this time, to discharge the duties OF this
hour as becomes free men and citizens
responsible to God and to our own coun-
try for the manners in which we per-
form them. Gentlemen. for ten OF
fifteen years, while the people of this
country have been excited over civil wal
and other struggles that separate us
from a large portion of the country,
false principles of government have
bee accepted instead of the ancient
Truth of republican government. Abuses
have grown until we are not to-day GER
tain whether this is indeeda democratic
republican government, or whether we
are upon the eve of a change that shall
deprive the people in form, as they ART
already deprived in fact, of the RICH
and power to govern themselves. Ap
plause. The object of this assembl.
to-day Is to inaugurate anew the strug
gle to win back for the people goot
government-not only good government
but one giving to the people the RICH
to govern themselves. Gentlemen
} tell me that good government
can be obtained by this meas
ure or that. 1 tell you that the onl.
government worth having is that gov
eminent administered by free men, O
which they themselves are at once tn
rulers and the subjects. l am conten
to submit to bad government, if 1t is
. government of my own. 1 am not will
ing to submit to any other government
except that of the Supreme Being, If j
assumes to be a master. l desire t
unite with men of all past political pos
: tions-with old Democrats and oil
: Republicans-to win back and establis
democratic republican institutions i
this country, where the people sha
govern themselves where the peopl
!, shall have that which they earn, an
shall not be required to surrender an
9 more of their earnings than they then
!. selves think just to bestow. Presidin
q over a convention composed In tn
d manner is somewhat novel to me. Man
t gentlemen / see before me are Demo
e Gratis. and, gentlemen, while l have ha
e occasion to differ with you In time
It past, / learned two years ago VIII
sacrifices you could make for yol
country. 1 mean two years ago, whe
you had consented to vote for Creole
II you made large sacrifices, such sacri
{. ces as patriots alone can make for tt
a, advancement and welfare of their cou
W try. know, gentlemen of the Refor
# party, you have made every sacrifice
re mere feeling to advance the welfare
g. our county. Let me assure you
ii that you evince yoar patriotism, al
&c that You place country first, and in {
future, when the political history of tt
in country is written, it will be record
~ that the Democratic party, for the sa
as OF restoring free government, in votil
b. for Greeley in 1872, performed an g
of magnanmity, of patriotism, unhea
of in this or any other country. Gre
Ill tlemen, you are required to make
such sacrifice now. The prejudices
bit the past are gradually disappearir
be and free men are seeing, eyJ to eye, a
ed will toll, shoulder to shoulder, for t
he advancement and well-being of
country. [Cheers. This is not an I
es casion on which L could ask you
er listen to me moment longer. am
ba formed that vour committee are abe