Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-12-10
Meeting of Congress.

Meeting of Congress.
NJ. c. KERR, OF INDIANA, SPEAKER-A
VIRGINIA PosTMAsTER-KENTUCK
CLERK AND OHIO Observation-Disclosures
THE OPENING SESSION,
&C.. &C., sc.
A telegram posted on the INDICATOR
bulletin board Sunday morning gave the
earliest information of the nomination of
Hon. NJ. c. Kerr, of Indiana, for the
Speakership. The other nominees of the
caucus are George M. Adams, of Ken
lucky, clerk; John &. Thompson. of Ohio,
Sergeant-at-Arms; L. H. Fitzhugh, of
Texas, door-keeper, and James NJ. Steuart,
of Alexandria, Va, postmaster. We give
below sketch of
H. 5 5 THE CAUCrs. m s
The floor of the House was the scene of
active canvassing before the meeting, and
when the time arrived it WAS with great
difficulty that the hall was cleared of all
outsiders. A few minutes after two O'Clock
the caucus was called to order by Hon.
Fernando Wood, who ominated Hon. L.
@. G. Lamar, of Mississippi, for chairman,
who was elected bv reclamation. Upon
taking the chair, Mr.. Lamar made d brief
but eloquent speech, as follows:
FL MR.. LAMAR's SPEECH.
Gentlemen: In calling me to this position
of responsibility and distinction you have
conferred an honor which I appreciate
most highly, and for which I thank you
most cordially.
We here are confronted with crisis in
the history Of the democratic party and of
the mpanieS which brings to our party
grand opportunities, but is at the same
time freighted with solemn responsibilities,
and if we do not improve these opportu-
mites and rise to the measure of these re-
sponsibilities the fruits of the great politi-
cal re yolution which has brought us here
to-day will be for us like the fruit which
grows upon the shores of the accursed sea.
One of the highest and most pressing de-
mands upon US will be not only to insist on
bringing down the expenses of the govern
ment to the needs only of economical ad-
ministration, but to perfect and adopt such
q system of taxation as will bring in the
required revenue with the fewest restric-
tions upon commerce, and with the least
burden to the people, and that burden
equitably distributed and skilfully adjust
ed. Owing to the eXigencies Of one of
those great interneclne conflicts incident
to the life of almost every meeting, and
also to perniciOus system of legislation,
our people. our business investments, our
commerce and all the diversified interests
OF tile country are suffering from the evils
OF an irredeemable currency. In meeting
and graphing with the difficulties of the
vital and perplexing question it win be our
duty to take care that nothing is done
to impair the good faith OF the country or
tarnish the public honor, or lower or dis
turb the credit of our government. but we
are to remove those distractions which
bar tn progress and check the prosperity
of the American republic 1t is our duty
as democrats. 1t is the duty and is to be
the glory of the democratic party while it
controls the House to see that the natl nal
debt is paid in full, and that the currency
of this democratic republic is made equal
with that Of any nation on earth.
Upon the part Of those who have been
invested with the political power and dts-
tiny of our country during the last ten or
fifteen years it has been frequent remark
that the era of constitutional politics had
closed that questions of constitutional
limitations and restrictions were no long
Ell to hinder or delay the legislation of the
government in its dealings with financial,
economical, or social subjects, which were
it was assumed, now the only matters
worthy OF public attention. And yet,
amidst their grand boastings, the Forty
third Congress found themselves faced
with the gravtst questions of constitution
al law, reaching down to the fundamental
system aud involving not only the rela
tions of the State to the federal govern
ment, hut that of the people aud their own
house government. af
The grandest aspiration Of the demo-
cratic party is, and its browning glory will
be, to restore tire constitution to it's pris-
tine strength and authority, and to make
it The protector of every section and of ev-
cry State in the Union, and of every human
being of every race, color and CO 'flition in
the land. Apprehension and disLrust of
one part of the nation, that that portion of
the Southern people who were arEayed
against the authority of the federal gov
eminent in the late war would be an eIe-
ment Of disturbance to the American
Union has mainly disappeared, as is evil
denced by your election. In its stead has
grown more fraternal ceiling, which re-
CARDS us Of the Southern States us fellow
citizens of the same great nation; ana. on
the other hand, the people of whom I
speak, OF whom / am one, are here to-day
by their chosen representatives, ready to
honor any draft which the American peo-
pie may draw upon their patriotism or
their faith in the glory and their benefcent
destiny Of American institutions. LAP
plause.l The experiment which has been
introduced amongst us, based upon conf
dence in the workings Of local self-govern-
ment, and intended to solve the difficulties
connected with recent social and political
transformations, shall have an open field
and fair play. No hindrance shall be placed
in the way of its vigorous development
and its amplest success. Applause.
1t has been said that the day of sentiment
tai politics has passed away, but, gentlemen
there is one part Of this Union-that part
which l know best-which asks for the
great moral nutrimant to a spirite' and
noble people. We want a government that
we can love and revere and serve from the
motive Of reverence and love. We hunger
for a patriotism which shall knit all the |
people together in a generous and Loving |
brotherhood, and which shall be as broad |
as the territory over which the national |
flag floats,
: Let me say here that no government, no |
+ alton Can prosper without this vital fire. |
It is the sentiment which, acting upon free |
and reacting through them up
on a people, constitutes their public spirit !
and political genius. :
Gentlemen, we are here as democrats.
members Of a political party which has a
< lor.g and glorious history. Let us, in
our duties this winter, recall and revive
those principles, the faithful maintain
ance of which by the fathers Of our country
it for so long a period the conf
lence and support of the people; let lis /.
eek to renew the prosperity, to advance
tie greatness and glory of our country;
ct us resolve to win the confidence. the
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