The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-07-08
Auhdfal
POLITICAL.
Democratic Ratification Speeches.

I'm the evening, after the adjournment
ecf the Democratic State Convention on
June l7th believed to have been the
laEgest assemblage of the kind that ever
met in Columbus; distinguished Demo-
,crats addressed the people. After re-
marks from General Ewing and Cover
nor Allen, Hon Geo. H. Pendleton was
iatroduced and spoke as follows;
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. II. PENDLEToN.
FELLOW Ottizeas' This is not the time for
unuch speaking. The occasion, the cir
@oamstances, the number of gentlemen
who will address you, alike forbid it; and
yet few words by way of warning and
iexhortation and congratulation may not
ibe inappropriate. The convention has
done a good work to-day. 1t has nomi-
mated an excellent ticket and made a
wise and sound declaration of principles.
Every man on the ticket is worthy to be
placed there, and deserves the confidence
of his fellow citizens. Every principle
end policy announced is just and true,
;aadif carried into practice would conduce
SO the best interests of the community.
And let me tell you a secret in all conf
,aence; that ticket and platform will sue
,ceed There is victory in the air. have
seen it beaming in your eyes | have
.heard it in your hearty cheers. I.know
it, because know that the people are
wise, and that our cause is just. Nothing
can prevent it hut our own faithlessness
10 great duty Nothing can prevent it
but our supineness and Incidence. Our
antagonists are alert, active, disciplined,
and thoroughly aroused. They are host
accustomed to victory. They have met
repulse, and stung with shame at the
disaster, and inspired with hope of re-
covering it, satisfied that another defeat
is dissolution, they have again offered
battle, and have brought every gun and
every man into the field. They will fight
with the enthusiasm of the highest hopes,
and determination of the deepest dispair.
If they lose Ohio this fall, they will lose
the Presidency next year. They know
this as we'll as you, and they intend not
10 lose Ohio. You must beat them by
your activity. The work must be
done not only or chiefly on the stump,
,or mass meetings, but on the farms, at
the freside, in the school districts, in the
neutrality-suspicious. that two or three
are gathered together. They have mo-
aey and will spend it freely. We have
none. We never had for electioneering
purposes. But we have good candidates,
sound principles, righteous cause, a
country to benefit, patriotic and a wise
people, and these, if We use them well,
are more potent weapons than money
and Offices and patronage enlisted III the
cause of error and corruption.
Less than one year ago we met here to
consult on public affairs, and we consult
ed 80 wisely that success attended our
,Oounsels. The condition of the country
at the time demanded our attention.
The Republicans told us that the South
was peaceful and orderly, but, neverthe-
less, their papers were full of murders
and r0bberies and midnight assassina-
tions, and ku-klux raids and general ter
rorism. The times were hard; business
was depressed; laborers were idle; busi-
ness men were breaking up; the taxes
we're high and hard to pay. When we
called them to an account they said,
AGive us more time. Give us one more
year; let us cultivate the tree one year
more; let us dig about and dung it, and if
it bear no fruit, then cut it down" They
told as every evil would be corrected.
They had Just amended the taritf-they
had made it tariff for revenue with in
ecidental protection, and itwould perform
the wonderful feat of protecting just
where it ought to protect, and taxingJus
where it ought to tax, and while it raised
revenue would bless industry--it would,
In word, perform the marvel of protect
ing industry by taxing it. They had just
passed the Currency Distribution Act,
and this would make money plenty by
taking it from one section already badly
supplied, and giving it to another still
worse off. They had hung up the Civil
Rights Bill and kept it "a rod in pickle"
for the South. Wait for one year, said
they, and if this digging and dunging do
not produce good fruit, cut down the Re-
publican tree and cast it out.
Well, gentlemen, the year has passed
and what have they done? The have
worried and .harassed the South they
have found deficiency in the revenue;
they have increased the taxes; they have
increased the tariff; and to-day, without
one evil remedied, there are more stag.
nation in business, less employment for
labor, more suffering among the poor,
and this unhappy condition longer con-
.&inued than ever before in the recollec-
tion of any one you.
THE POLICY TOWARD THE SOUTH.
The Civil Rights Bill was passed as a
measure of spite and ill-will toward the
people of the South; but every Federal
Judge in the South, except one in Texas,
aias declared the law unconstitutional and
not to-be enforced there, while our breth-
ven in Wisconsin and Minnesota seem
likely to enjoy its blessings.
General Sheridan elected and organ
GEed the legislature of louisiana, and
managed to make great trouble while he
remained there. Since he left The State,
and his members left the legislature,
there have been peace and good order.
Gentlemen, did you ever think serious
s9y of the condition of the South?
chanced to read lately the report OF a
Republican. committee made in 1872,
showing the condition of certain States
in 1866, after the war, and on January l,
1879. Even at the risk of being tedious,
l read to you this amazing story:
Alabama-Debts and liabilities at Gloss
of war, 1885, ,554 81; on January l, 1872
$SS,3S4, ,967 81.