National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-03
sENAT0R N0RTON,s sPEEoH

Senator Morton has opened the Indiana
campaign in the able and vigorous style to
which the country has been accustomed for
DO many years, and which has won for him
foremost place among the leaders of the
Republican party. The latest utterances Of
the great war governor, as his admirers
were 50 fond Of calling him in the days that
tried mems souls, show that he has not
lost any Of his old-time fire; that he is as
fearless, as able and defiant an advocate Of
Republican ideas and principles to-day as In
the years when the claims Of party hung
on men with g stronger and more binding
force. Mr.. Morton evidently speaks from 6
profound conviction that the good of the
country demands the continuation In power
Of the Republican party. In his opinion il
needs no defense against its opponents, 1t
is still the party Of ideas and patriotism
which insists upon fair play for all men Of
all races and all creeds, which aims to carry
the country up to higher plains Of thoughi
and aspiration than any to which Il has yet
attained. It is the party of reform, the
party which has the resolute courage to
punish its own unworthy members and to
correct abuses where they are found Il
exist
The speech he has just made is entirely
Characteristic. Right out from the shoulder
he strikes st the opposition, showing its In
consistency and treachery, laying bare it
weaknessand unpatriotism. In Indiana, a
set forth in its platform, it means tariff fO1
revenue; in Pennsylvania It'll protective; il
Maine it is free trade; in Illinois 1t is for harC
money; in Ohio it is against it; in the Soutl
it means a war of races and death to th'
negro. Upon the railroad question no ont
can tell where it stands; if anywhere, it 4
in opposition 70 the popular viii and thu
popular demands, hiding its head in musty
documents which have about as much to d.
with the present day as a chapter in Gene
sis. The closing sentence of the speech, q
reported by the telegraph, will give an ide'
of his views and opinions: 81 am proud t
+" say that while the Republican. party MAY
"havc erred, it has not proved false to any
great principle. It's aims are noble and
"patriotic, and il does not seek continu
lance in power by pandering to vice anC
prejudice, but refers 10 its past record o
great actions in behalf of the Union, o
Liberty, education. equality and the ma
"terial growth and improvement of til
nation as an earnest Of what it seeks :
accomplish In the future, and there mus
"be no cessation in its labors; it must nc
"presume to live upon the glories an
memories of the past. Its first and ever
present duty Is to introspection, sell
examination, the correction of errors, tn
"introduction of reform It must look {
"the execution and enforcement Of tb
Constitution and the laws, and while a.
sorting the existence Of the nation an
"the Just powers Of the National Govern
''ment, il should ever be vigilant to pre-
"serve in all their just extent the right
Z" and powers Of the States, ever carryin
"before it as a lamp to guide its steps thes
"great fundamental principles which hav
given to the party its power and glory
'equalrights to alland equalsRd exact justic
"to all men" And, again: "For years I
"come the contest will be between the RI
publican and the Democratic parties, an
"between them there is no room for q thir
"party, and every one that is organize
"Will be feeble and ephemeral. Thes
parties represent different ideas, tender
"cies and modes Of thought which are i
'irrepEessible conflict f"
OF course, Mr.. Morton viii be abused an
denounced for all this by the gentlemen VIII
have been laboring so hard for the last tire
or four years to erect q new party Whic
should set aside the old ones, and be mad
up Of the best men, as Il IS the fashion
cal them, TO be found in the two existin
organizations. He will be branded as
demagogue and bitter, malignant partisai
who is striving to perpetuate the passion
and Enimosities Of the war. It is vel
curious fact and worthy Of attention, tn
these ''best men" are for the most pa
persons who, BY their dishonesty or III