Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-09-25

Speech of Hon. FL. s. Magoon, at
Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Sept. 16,
1874, on Accepting the Repub-
lican Nomination for Congress.
Gentlemen Of the Convention
Profoundly thank you for this token of
your confidence and respect. To be AIMED
any time, to represent the third district of
Wisconsin in Ct ngress, lone among the leg
islators for forty million of people, -is an
honor. But now, when such competitors
as Senator Geo. c. Hazelton, Col. j. G..
Clark, and Senator'S W. s. Wescott and
Francis Little have come before the con-
vention, each distinguished for bis talents
and virtues, now, to be chosen, among
such able men, before canvass doubtful
and stormy,-is a distinction, gentlemen,
that places me under obligations, through
out life.
But, deeply I feel that it is not only an
honor. Is it not, also.a responsibility, a
vast trust? Gentlemen, doe not seat
in Congress, mean more than mere office !;
more than politics: immensely more than
emoluments or a steppingsstone to fame?
Properly filed, it means work, and energy
and craftsmanship, and above al, -integ
rlty II means,a vi cero would express it,
Non n0bis solum sed ana5cis ct patriae
honest devotion not only to our own dis
trict, but to the whole country; and to as
sure all classes, so far as craftsmanship
can achieve the result, to be permanently
prosperous And when | survey those
requisites of true Representative how
wise, how far seeing and able, how gocd
man must be he, to worthily represent
you and this district in Congress,--I con-
TESS my personal inability to fill this gress
trust. So, if elected, franklyI can only
promise my best exertions to advance your
interests, and to perform all duties with
faithful perseverance, to the utmost of my
strength. If | fail 1t shall not be in motive
nor because | shall be wilfuly unfalth-
ful either TO principles or to country
but because do not possess the power
to grasp and achieve my duty.
By the census Of 1870, this district con
tanned 1877 500 people, of whom a large ma
jority are farmers, miners and those en-
gagged i'll commercial pursuits. He, there
fore, cannot properly represent this dis
trict, who shall forget these industrial elias
SEES, or shall neglect to attend faithfully
to their protection and wants. If elected
it will be my endeavor to study closely
how | can best serve them, and to do my
duty firmly. The valley ofthe Wisconsin
and its improvement, shall not by me be
neglected; nor will | purposely disturb the
bones of old Marquette by sighting the
interests Of the noble River, which he dis
covered, and which gives name to our
State.
Upon the subject of finance, a subject
that for years will demand the attention of
parties and people, have bestowed some
s'udy,but, | am not prepared now to.state
what policy is free from exception and OBJ
lection. But is it not plain, that it would
be unwise, TO hastily adopt any policy which
will postpone the resumption ofspecie paw
ment to very distant future; or, that will
! increase the volume of currency beyond
the common necessities of business While
on the ore hand. the immediate compulsory
resumption of specie payments would GER
taply produce an enormous shrinkage of
values and crash Of business interests:
yet, on the other hand, could we safely
adopt any new system of currency not
properly guarded. or not founded honest,
ly and squarely on gold and silver?
! Gentlemen, the recent outrages in the
South, whereby men and women have
been taken from their homes at night and
murdered in cold blood, not because
they are criminals, but solely because of
their political sentiments or color, deserve
the serious consideration of every patriot
If the accounts are true, this government
ought not to shrink from its duty. The laws
I h.1.I St,k. NJ,
and wherever lives law-abiding citizen
in this broad land, the mighty arm of the
government must protect him sacr edlv for
ever The vengeance of the Law should
smite all such outrages W tn it's sword; and,
[ would say, let its blazing fall be both
swift and certain. For, whenever the
hour comes, that loyal men, South or North,
black or white, men whose breasts are
battle-scared for your rights and mine, can
not be protected from wholesale murder-
shoreless anarchy has begun, and this
Government in bloody ruins is already en-
tombed.
Republicans the Wing party, though it
committed many errors, stood in its paimy
days. in intellectual and moral forces and
in patriotism, second to no party in the
| w III. Liz Oii DcIIoCIdt party tUO, III
its prime, before it wrecked itself on slave
ry. was filled with noble and patriotic
men. But, the Republican party although
not free from some faults. and although
young in years, has already history ret
splendent with great deeds. It has me
mighty difficulties and faithfully overcome
them; it has exhibited consummate valor,
Craftsmanship, and patriotism; and, al
though il may have erred at times, yet its
waich-ires have always been the beacons
lof liberty. nor has it bienched when the
storm blew highest
To-day, Gentlemen tn e Republicans par
| " is the only great and consistent party
OF this nation. To-day, there is opposed
10 it only corglomerat : on of splintered
Efact,ons, who, Xix the witches of Macbeth
are trying to perform deed without a
name, "-to-Yit, disband and destroy our