The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-11-04
Prof. Summers Address on the Political
Issues.


Prof. sumner addressed the Yale students on the
political issues Of the day Tuesday evening. He
opened by saying that, as general thing college
professors should not make political speeches, mn
as he was to speak, as IL were, In his own family he
had accepted their invitation u shall not make
you" he continued, "a stump speech. am nota
party man. and cannot be. MY banner mas lnsrriDe9
upon It three issues-hard money, free trade. and
selfgovernmenL Abstract questions are not 10 the
point now, nor aro party histories. We must take
parties as they come g US trad,nonally' snd mus S
practical exigencies II you let your party lines be-
come rigid, party leaders become corrupt aud ire
spOnsble In late years there has been no effective
opposition to the party In power, and as conse:
quence have had loose and corrupt legislation OF
every sort am forced to turn to the opposition be-
cause;
First-when party has failed in government, II
Is sound principle Of universal application 10 re-
place 1t by the opposition If the Republicans are
kept In power they will think people will support
them anyhow and will continue in their corrupt
course.
second-The opposition promise all that can hope
for in the way OF hard money, Tree trade and local
selfgoyernment
Third--The Democrats offer nominee for Presi-
dent In whom have the utmost confidence, Ever
since 1870 have observed Mr. Tilden's course with
the greatest pleasure His activity for the public IN
eret has been greater than that of any other man in
the country, lie has thoroughly demonstrated this
In his services for reform in New York city and Us
Governor.
| have not seen one single possible argument
why l should vote for Hayes. All the RePub-
licans give are negative arguments why Tilden
should not be voted for, and these appeals to my
fears am told that Tilden knows much and
means well but that his party control him. But he
has brains and will enough TO lead his party, They
say he Is politician. Suppose he Is. A politician
means u statesman and that's what We want. Per-
Washington he win NEE need to Be. We Couldn't do
sillier thing than 10 send u man there who doesn't
understand the game. 1t the weak, good men who
have been the most harm TO the country. They have
been used as tools by corrupti0uists.
Again, they have brought against Mr. Tilden n
vast number Of scandals anu Inclined to think the
gutter rake has never gone deeper in campaign
than in this. The whole effect has been on me at
least, to fix more firmly my intentions to vote for
him.
Again, they say the Democratic marty Is not TO be
trilsted-thut II will ruin the country cannot be-
ieye this, III did should have to believe that one
half of the people Of this land arc striving To ruin IT,
But especially they bring up Southern issues
Now. none of these campaign bugabOos have alarmed
me. They say the South will make claims for losses
In the war. This may be. All we can hope IS that
they VIII be kept oil with more success than during
the last ten years. Perhaps too they may be asking
subsidies, following the example of the North but
don't see any reason why we shouldn't believe the
Democrats, rather than the Republicans, who, prom.
Use not TO continue IL.
They say, too, that II Tidcn is elected the public
credit will be ruined Now, If believed this
would turn all own into cash aud emigrate II
business men feared this they would be taking like
prudential measures. But turn to the money mar.
ket and ind United States stocks are not falling that
money is easy | turn 10 foreign exchanges aud
find gold coming into the country. not sent away
and there Is the proof that our nation has credit so
high, so grand that reckless partisan assaults cannot
affect It. cannot find words strong enough To con.
denim the want of patriotism in those who are trying
for party purposes to destroy their countrys credit
Again, they tell us the South will rule. II they do
as they did before they war and send able and ex.
perienced men to Congress then they will rule and
deserve to rule. II the North wants It's full influence
II must be careful 70 act aswisey But they say the
temper of the Southern people isn't right; they have
the same secession spirit am not surprised II this
srue II Is the natural result OF the way they have
been treated since the war They have had one con.
diton AFTER another imposed upon them and even
now we are often told tnat they ought never TO have
been allowed 10 be citizens again. believe that II
the Federal authorities should interfere with one of
South, there would be blood shed within week. /
dont wonder the temper of the Southerners little
spoiled. think mine would be.
NOW II Is oil wrong TO bring these matters before
the nation TO judge upon. All history shows there
Is no possible exit from the present state Of afars
but to restore TO the South local selfgovernment
le to themselves they will settle down 10 order and
peace come seem to think that ir Tlden Is elected
the whites will all go TO massacreing the blacks
This Is absurd. No people afford to quarrel with
their labor. Now If We should give way 10 these
fears when is all this 10 cease? In the present cir.
eumstances the South is sure TO remain emblttered
forever
This must stop some time and the onerthe better
We thought we fought to preserve the Union but on
these Republican party principles We are striving 10
exclude these States. Just before Lincoln died he
said lie wanted 10 get Louisiana as quickly as posi-
pie into It's practical relations with the Union And
this is what say now OF the whole South-we want
70 get these States as quickly possible into their
practical relations with the Union. Ifths Union Is
TO last II will never be by hatred and force but must
DC heid together by concession and kindness
The speaker was frequently applaudod