The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-07
Lamar's Speech.

resentatives, Hon. L. @. G. Lamar, a
member of Congress from Mississippi,
was made Chairman; and, on being con-
Quoted to his seat, took occasion to make
a carefully considered speech. Coming
from member of his prominence and in
fuence with his party, Mr.. Lamars ut
terances on that occasion must be taken
as indicating the policy that the Demo-
Gratis in Congress intend to pursue dur
ing the immediate future.
The speech was well conceived, and
bears the impress of much thoughtful
consideration. And most of all, among
its many merits, are conspicuous the
kindly temper, the tone of genial friend
Iiness, and the ardent patriotism with
which 1t abounds. II its spirit Is we'll
observed and its exhortations duly car
ried into practice, it will be found
gratifying herald Of the "sra OF good
feeling"
After returning the usual thanks for
the distinction shown him, Mr.. Lamar
thus aludes TO the position of the Demo
cratic majority in the present House OF
Representatives.
"We here are confronted with crisis in the
history Of the Democratic party and Oh the
country, which brings to our party grand op-
portunitles, but is at the same time frelghted
for us with solemn responsibilities, and II we
do not improve these opportunities and rise 10
the measure of these responsibilities the fruits
of the great political revolution which has
brought us here to-day will be for us like the
fruit which grows upon the accursed sea-"
After alluding to the different func-
tions of the other Departments OF the
Government, and the relations they
sustain to the House of Representatives,
he thus points out the duties the DEM
ocrats in the House have before them in
regard TO those Departments:-
ssThe people OF the country have charged us
have charged the Democratic party in the
House OF Representatives with the important
duty of bringing these co ordinate branches Of
the Government to their just responsibility,
and thus by an unerring instinct, or by Keen
intelligence, they have blended together our
duty, our interests, our inellnations."
On the matter of reform in The civil
service of the country, the speaker gives
unequivocal expression of the sentiment
of his party; saying
ssThe people demand at our hands sweeping
and thorough REFORM which shall be conducted
in spirit that will secure the appointment
to places of trust and responsibility Of the hon
est the experienced, and the capable"
Concerning the questions ofthe publ
expenditures of the Government, Mr..
Lamar announces the determination Of
his party in heHouse to make search
Ing scrutiny, And that is just what
needs to be thoroughly done. For, in
the administration of public affairs, 1T Is
the love of money tnat is the root of all
evil. On this point, Mr.. Lamar says
"There is also an imperative demand that
vigilanU examination be made into the admin
istration of the public revenue of the country
both in its collection and disbursement; that
all the public accounts shall be scrutinized by
us-as it is the solemn privilege and drty OF
this House to do-and that corruption be fer
reted out, and wrong -doers, no matter how
high or low, shall be fearlessly arraigned and
fully exposed and punished"
On the vexed question of the tariff the
speaker makes this exhibit of the Demo
cratic policy:
ss1here is growing and irresistible senti-
ment in the country that, under the specioui
theory of protecting and fostering particular
industries and interests, system of miscallet
3 revenue laws has been IN operation, detri'
mental and blasting to all the other great in
terests Of the country, and maintained at thu
expense of the general revenue, and to the IN
jury of the great majority of the people, ant
of those classes-the farmers and laborers-
who are least able to bear the burden Of op
pressiye laws"
In relation to the public debt of thu
country, Mr.. Lamar, though coming
from a once repudiating State, take
high ground against reputation in any
form. Speaking OF this, he says
Sowing to the exigeneies of one of thos
great internecine conflicts incident to the lif
of almost every country, also to perniciou
system Of legislation, our people. our busines
investments, our commerce. and all the diver
sified interests Of the country are suferin!
from the evils of an irredeemable currency
In meeting and graphing with the difficulties
of this vital and perplexing question it viii
be our duty to take care that nothing il
done which would impair the good faitl
OF the country or tarnIsh the public honor o
lower or disturb the credit OF our Government
but we are to remove those distractions which
bar and check the prosperity Of the American
, Republic. 1t is our duty as Democrats. it Il
our duty and is to be the glory OF the Demo
cratic party while it controls this House, to so
that the national debt is paid in full, and tina
the currency Of this democratic Republic |,
made equal with that Of any nation on tn
earth"
On the subject of the Constitutions
amendments, made since the war, Mr.
Lamar's utterances, though sounding
well, are a little ambiguous; especially
when speaking Of restoring "the Con
stitution to its primitive strength ant
authority He nevertheless spreads it,
provisions quite broadly. OF this b,
says
ssThe grandcst inspiration Of the Democrats
party is. and it's crowning. glory will be, h