The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-11
Why I Cannot Support the Democratic
Party.
Speech of Hon. James p. Root, OF Chi
cago.

Icannot support the Democratic party be-
cause OF its past history, and because it gives
no promise OF better future.
Its record is stepped in infamy, and smirched
with fraud, corruption, treason and murder.
1t has stolen the labor and liberty of four
millions of people and forged chains which
bound them to the earth, and which to-day
would gall them had not the command of the
Republican party been obeyed.
The Democratic party inaugurated the repeal
of the Missouri compromise. whereby the last
barrier between freedom and slavery was
broken.
It stole forts. arsenals. ships, money and mu-
nitions of way.
1t stole three thousand millions of dollars,
that being the amount the people must make
up by taxation as the cost of cruel war.
1t drove loyal men from their homes and
confiscated their property, and it murdered in
cold blood those who rallied around the old
flag"
Its grim visage is reflected in the horrors of
Andersonville, Libby and Fort Pillow.
IL murdered defenceless negroes in New
York, while its champion Governor addressed
the frenzied mob as friends and brothers.
1t assisted the draft and encouraged deser-
tion.
1t gave aid and comfort to the rebels in arms
against the Government and denounced Union
soldiers as hirelings and murderers.
1t gave vent to treason in thousands of
speeches and publications.
1t refused to vote money to carry on the war
and to feed and clothe the Union soldiers
1t laughed with demoniacal gee at rebel sue
cess, and it howled with pain at rebel defeat.
preferring that they should be retained as an
ally of the rebels, and it became enraged be-
cause the colored men fought bravely on the
side of the Union.
It stole more public money in New York
alone than all the losses of the Federal govern
eincQ the advant of tho Rapuhlioan
Into power.
1t pronounced the war failure, and de-
elared in favor of peace upon the most dis
graceful and humiliating terms.
1t set up as it's champion in 1864, upon
platform that the war was failure, a general
whose military career verified the platform.
1t set up as its champion 10 1868 the Govern
or who tailed to suppress the Democratic mob
in New York in 1868.
1t advocated Reputation of the national debt,
and BY every influence smrched the national
honor.
It organized Ku klux gangs to terrify, OPP
press and kill loyal men in the South, while
its Northern wing at first denied and then JUS
titled the outrages.
1t has by It's reckless and outrageous acts
compelled the interposition of legislation to
protect people in their rights.
1t has attempted to overturn state govern
ments and make them subseIvient to the de-
mands Of the worst elements in society,
1t has corrupted the ballotbox and pre-
vented q free exercise of the elective franchise
1t has abolished the common school system
in Alabama, Texas and other Southern states
It has introduced in Congress bills for the
appropriation of millions of money to pay
Southern claims.
1t has removed crippled Union soldiers from
employment under the Government and sub
stituted those whose merit is that they fought
aga INST the flag.
It has placed upon its ticket as its standard
bearer the attorney of Tammany, the bosom
friend of Tweed, with whom he sat in conven-
lions and on committees, practcing political
ledsermain worthy of ward bummers.
Is it reliable guarantee to the American
people the horrors of Andersonville are both de-
MED and justified? Or that there are $4,000
COO of Southern claims file in the different de-
partments of Government?
Are we to believe that peace will prevail in
the South under Democratic rule, and that the
rights OF all men will be preserved, when, in
the very face of Presidential campaign, and
while only victory is anticipated, innocent
men are shot down in the streets?
The scenes in the streets of Hamburg will be
repeated in every county. Not colored man
will be permitted to vote.
The supreme Court will be increased to such
. convenient number that decisions will be OBJ
tanned which wip fritter away and paralyze the
amendments to the Constitution
Already q rebel Congress has displaced cfp-
pied Union officers and employees and filled their
places with rebel veterans.
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