The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-07-20
Hon. George H. Pendleton on the
Issues Of the Day.
[cIncInnati Ratihcation speech.


/ do not affect to believe that the reso-
buttons adopted at st. Louis are the
most felicitous expression of the t%otality
of human wisdom in political economy.
On the contrary, | could wish tSat some
things had been omitted and others
changed, and still others inserted. LIDO
not affect to believe that the nominees
are the only men worthy to fill the high
places for which they have been desig-
mated. But l do believe those resolu-
lions are, in the main, a candid, truth
full, powerful exposition of the views
and opinions entertained by the large
majority of the Democratic party. lido
believe the nominees are able, ex-
p~erienced, honest, virtuous men, and /
am so convinced hat these opinions
carried into administration by these
men will greatly benefit the country,
thatI think every intelligent citizen is in
dutyrbound to put forth his honest.
earnest, active endeavors to secure their
success in November.
believe you.will bear witness that |
am no croaker. | don't see things in a
gloomy aspect Ihaye faithin the people;
| do not believe the country will ire
trieyably be ruined, no matter which
party may succeed l believe that subtle
essence of our great Declaration, of
which Mr.. Adams SO eloquently spoke,
has entered the life of our people, and
will keep them in the paths of progress
summer and winter, rain and sunshine,
seed-time and harvest. These are the
eternal, never-failing PROMISE, yet in
places and times crops are short and
scarcity prevails. Healthfulness is the
law, but plaques and epidemics exist.
And so, in the general progression of the
world, there are times and places of
mental and moral disease when the whole
head is sick and the whole heart is faint.
While the air is filed with Centennial
CALCULATIONS over our progress and great
ness and glory, l would not willingly
exaggerate either our failings or our
dangers.
What is our condition. Politics have
fallen from that high social standard OF
politics (which exalteth anation." Pub
lie service isnot the sacrifice of self to the
public good; but is made the e Of
selfaggrandizement.
High official station is not valued for
the duties it imposes, but for the patron
age and power which it confers-and
these are treated as personal perquisites,
the r~ewards-as grants and pensions are
in other countries-for past services, to
be disposed according to the interest OIL
pleasure or caprice of the possessor
Offices are not esteemed as high public
trusts, but for their money value.
Do l exaggerate? A President of the
United States, in a letter to the presiding
officer of a State Convention, argued thai
he was entitled to a third term, because
two terms were not the equivalent il
salary or power or honor to another in
compatible office which he had resigned
This low estimate of the public servic,
has permeated every department of tn
government, and tainted every policy
Tariffs are made to advance private in
terests. Silver is demonetized to increas
the gains of creditors. Subsidies ar
, granted to benefit localities or powerful
: corporations. The currency is manipu
lated to advantage a class. 1t has de
! stroyed the sensitiveness of the otficia
: conscience, and gone far to dim the pei
!, ceptions of the people themselves. Nay
more; it has affected the whole body {
organized society, and to some exten
lowered the tone of the public mind an
heart. 1t has entered commerce, an
business has become largely
s system of gambling speculation
s and, if | may say so withor
J, ~ofense, it has entered the Church an
n often substituted protesting and seemin
for religion pure and undefled. In grel
measure the effect has been to comic
politics to oficeholders. and they hay