The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-07-17
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.
LITTLE MANEUVERING PRELIMINARY
THE GREAT CAMPAIGN OF 1875.
4 Consultation Among the Opposition wise
Heads al Ottawa.

of the leading precinct and village polsti
clans from ali parts of the county, and W. r.
SIiligan ESQ, chairman Of the Opposition
county central committee, seized the occasion
to invite such prominent men OF the opposi-
ton as happened to be in town to a consulta-
ton at Turner Hall at . o'clock 7. NJ. on
Wednesday. The meeting was attended by
about one hundred democrats and liberal re-
publicans from all parts of the county, and
as it was not held Nth closed doors, we give
brief report of what was said and done on
the occasion.
THAT the matter nigh. be conducted de-
Gently and in order John S. Armstrong,
ESQ, was called to the chair and Il" J. Hor
nick appointed Secretary.
Mr. Milligan having stated the object of
the meeting, invited Senator Plumb TO give
his views on the political situation and ext.
engcies of the future, in response to which
| he spoke substantially as follows
| did not come here to make speech nor
to attempt to guide this body in its move
ments. In fact, owing to absence and atten-
ton to private duties, I have become some
whot rusty in political matters. | have some
notions of my own, however, in political
matters which have long chershed-some
political convictions which are quite salts
factory TO me, and these will have great
weight in determining what | think we
should do THIS Is hardly the place TO mark
out plan for the State Convention to con-
slider Still we may express our convictions
here for the guidance of delegates to that and
other conventions | care not for the name
Of our organization, whether we call it demo,
crat, republican, or whatever you please, so
long as we can unite on the great fundamen-
la principles upon which depends the vel.
fare of the country. am well satisfied with
the result of our united effort last fall, with
what the people of this county so noby ac-
compllshed at that election-wlth what the
conservatives and democrats did for me as an
individual, and this is the first opportunity
that have had to publicly make my CRATE
full acknowledgment to them.
The principles we fought for then, If they
were of any value are Of equal value now
The democrats OF Ohio occupy the same TO
sition now as we announced in our platform
at that election.
The financial question, it is true, divides
the democratic party in different localities
and it is equally true that the same question
divides the republican party, making The
breach even wider in that organization than /
is in the democratic and conservative ranks
| am in favor Of continuing substantially tht
same course as in our last campaign. an
anxious 70 consult with you and get you
views | am ready 10 work with you for thu
common good ana for democratic ideas, and
as said before, care more for the object t
he obtained than the mere name. Applause.
Hon. Washington Bushnell was loudly
called for lie arose and said, On substance
do not come here with any personal oh
iect in view-none whatever. | came her
because was invited to come and not to max,
any speech or present any argument, but Il
say to you frankly and decidedly that have
quit all party politics There is no whll
than can lash me into old party traces.
The time has come when we as a people,
must look at the future. Time works neces
sary changes and we must meetthe and dca
with them as rational men, mott in the light o
old exploded theories ancient precedents OF
fossihzed prejudices. | stand opposed il
many things to the old political parties.
My political creed is short, Among it
cardinal principles | oppose Capitalization o
power and consolidation al government
! [Applause.l
believe that we ought to make not only
a steady, but i! need be, a violent opposition
to any thing in the shape ana nature of t
tariff for protection. Applause
think we should elect president for bu
one term, Applause.
may differ with some of my brethren
here on the financial question. | would lie
our congressman act as he thinks proper a
5 TO that, but would instruct him to heed GU
wishes on these other cardinal points d,
not believe in dead issues and Musty theories
D would not 90 into the past andresurrect III
e dead. Whatever slight difference as TO an
one point there may be between US as an ol
ranlzatlor, can meet Mr.. Armstrong, Nj
: ReGdick or any friend, democrat or repuel
can, on the same friendly terms as of yort
for never permit my political opinions I
clash with my personal friendship As
said. I care not for old issues or points tina
L nave ouilivcd their usefulness, and am wit
!, YOU IN any measure that will tend to build u
/; and improve our common country. COZ
clude by moving the appointment OF con
}. n,i,,ce TO consult and prepare resolutions
:, be submitted to a mass meeting of democra
q and liberals in this hall two weeks from III
day, when and where we can discuss all thes
: important questions more fully
Hon. G. w. Armstrong being called sal'
e. endorse the statements of Mr.. bushnell
~ I'll, ..,.ls,s o,n pvcpnrion They are IL