The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-11-04

Republican party, discovered by themselves
and clearly ascertained to be such, that
they did not visit upon the offender the
most condign punishment. 1t was a Re-
publican Congress that unearthed the San
ford contracts, repealed the law authorizing
them, and compelled the Secretary and
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to
resign. The Salary Grab Bill was repealed
by Republican Congress. The Credit
Mobilier affair was exposed by the same
Congress. and suit instituted to recover
any amount there might be due the Gov
ernment and test the validity of the act
under which they operated, and the legality
OF the contracts made in pursuance of it.
The investigation of the affairs of the Dis
trict of Columbia was pushed to the abol-
lshment of that corrupt Government: the
indictment and trial of the offenders, by
Republican Congress. 1t opened up the
corruption attending the procurement of
the Pacific Mail Subsidy, sparing neither
friend nor foe. 1t brought to speedy justice
and certain punishment the members of the
Whisky Ring, whose ramifications extended
throughout the country, and whose vast
means had enabled them to almost defy the
Government and carry on systematic
course OF robbery. 1t has never been afraid
to remove men from place for incompetency
and dishonesty, because it was following
the will of the people which has ever been
its guiding star. This is the party to which
we belong and we are proud of it. This is
the party which asks you all for your votes,
and is there better, purer, more patriotic
or honest record i'll favor of which to cast
them, or upon which to build your hopes
for the future. The Republican party has
never turned back, but at times reviewing
its past record, has from the good results
a nj Sbai
strength for its onward march, The Demo-
Gratis of the succeeding Congress attempted
to follow up these Investigations. But
whereas the Republicans always held them
with open doors, so that the public might
know exactly. what they were doing, the
Democrats closed the doors to the public,
and denied to the accused all privileges
granted to the meanest criminal in the
land, such as the right to have notice of
the charges against him, the right to be
confronted by the witnesses against him,
that he might cross examine them, and the
right to employ counsel TO assist and defend
him. All these were denied, and men
knew not that they were accused until they
were convicted. No character was too pure
to be unassailable; no position under the
Government too honorable not to be at
tackled The Presidential Office was one
H'"'' ocJSSe VI hItdSh, uOJ HituSLdIlulu8 III
was detracting from the dignity of the
Nation, in the eyes of all the world The
motives of the Republicans in their inves-
LEGATIONS were the good of the service; that
OF the Democracy the gain of their party.
But this Presidential campaign is not to
be governed or carried by political intrigue
and wire working. There has been a feel
ing awakened in the public heart which
cannot be confined by any such narrow
means The great yearnng of the people
is for more certain and substantial victory
than can be gained by mere partisanship.
And | believe that the success of the Re-
publican party can alone satisfy that
demand. The party which steered the
Ship of State over the rocks of compromise
and slavery, through the pillows of seces-
sion, across the gulf of rebellion, past the
shadows and quicksands of official dishon-
esty, population, fraud and robbery, will
yet bring her into the deep waters of peace,
unity and fraternity, where the harbors of
justice, liberty and equality, reform and
progress will give her safe anchorage
And, while denying that the Democratic
party is in favor of or could accomplish the
reforms or follow the course needed let us
Republicans not forget what these are, as
enunciated in the platform of our party
and 50 succinctly stated by Gen. Hayes in
his letter of acceptance; and don't let US
relax our energy, although victory has, in
this the first onset, perched upon our ban
ners Remember that it was after Early
mad taken the emp that Sheridan sent him
whrlng up the valley. And this reminds
me of phase of TINS Presidential contest,
all reference to which the Democracy pro-
test against and object to. l mean the late
war and the past being taken in this polit-
cal contest by those who were participants
i'll that war on the part of the South. No
man will go further than myself in extend
ing the hand of fraternal friendship to the
South, but | will not, in common with all
Union loving people, apologize for the part
we took in the war, or be forced into any
admission or recognition of the claims of
the South, based upon the injustice of the
war on our part. There are few Southern
soldiers and citizens who have been bold
enough to support Gen. Hayes, notwith-
the denunciatons heaped upon
them by the press of the South, and |
believe there are others who at heart are in
favor of him. But the mass of them belong
to the Democratic party, and when | see
the same men, who were in arms against
the Government, united for a common pur-
pose and encouraged as of yore by the
Northern wing of the party, resorting to
means for the accomplishment of that pur-
pose, destructive of good government. |
cannot believe their professions of accept
ance of the results of the war and ac-
quesence in the constitutional amendments
and Intention to abide by them. For they
are continually acting contrary to the spirit
and letter of the law. The great error of
the Democrat party is in not acknowledge
ing that the Rebellion was wong, not
and until they can not only &C.
81, f4l I Il
but accept the results of the war as a mat
ter of justice and necessity, the tendency
to sectionalism in the politics of the coun-
try will never cease. | have already shown
that there was no resentment or malice on
the part of the Republican party toward
the Democratic party on account of the
war But the Democratic party have de-
prived themselves of all objections to refer
ences to the late war, by their close affila-
ton with those Of the North who were
sympathizers of the rebellion, and because
they boast of their great strength in
United South. They cry out against any
mention of the late war on our part, but
rejoice in a system of violence which de-
prives a large number of citizens of the
right to vote, and thereby send into our
Halls of Congress those who abuse the
privilege accorded them, and indulge in all
the malignity of former times. Already
do they come, bearing jeff. Davis on their
shields and demanding for him dissolution
from his National sins; and had it not been
for MIR. Blaine, who asked for some evil
dence of a true repentance and hearty con-
triton, he might have been rehabiltated
with all the privileges of full citizenship.
Already they palliate and excuse the horrors
of Audersonvlle, and claim that sin atoned
for by the suiferings endured by Southern
prisoners. Already they claim compensa-
tion for damage done by the army which
preserved the Union. Already they seek
to Willy and destroy the character and
reputation Of all to whom the people have
in the past been accustomed To look for
guidance and direction. At once they
the displacement of wounded
Union soldiers, and favorite theme of
their orators upon the stump is the vilifca-
ton of the Boys in Blue stgmatizing
the late assembage of the Boys in Blue"
at indianapolis, the Bread and Butter
Brigade, and otherwise depreciating their
characters as brave soldiers.