New-York tribune., 1876-05-17
THE ADDRESS AND IT'S RECEPTION.

DENTAL CANDIDATE-MEN WHOM THE CONFER
ENCE WILL NOT SUPPORT.
At the opening of the session, President Woolsey
said that the Business Committee was ready to re-
port. Mr.. Schurz, the chairman of the Committee,
then said: "The Committee on business have in
structed me by unanimous vote to report to this
Conference an Address to the People, and resolu-
ton, both of which, if it please you, shall read"
Following Is the Address:
FELLowcITIZENs: A Conference OF citizens assembled
in NewYor sincerely desiring to the best interests
Of American people, beg leave to submit to your can
did consideration the following appeal
National election approaching under circumstances
OF peculiar significance Never before in our history has
the public mind been profoundly agtated by an appre
henson of the dangers arising from the prevalence or
corrupt tendencies and practices in political life, and
has there been greater reason for it. We will not
display here detail the distressing catalogue of the dis
closures which for several years have followed one an
other in rapid succession, and seem to have
left scarcely o single sphere or our pohucaI
life untouched. The records OF courts, OF
state Legislatures, and OF the National Congress
speak with terrible plainness, aud still they
are adding TO the scandalous exhibition. While such
state of things would under any circumstances appear
most deplorable IL is peculiarly ut the present mo-
ment. We are about to celebrate the one hundrcdth
birthday of our national existence. We have invited the
nations of the earth this Great anniversary to Visit our
land aud to witness the evidences of our material prog
rcss rs well as the working and effects Of that republican
government which "a century our fathers founded
Thus the most inspiring memories OF our past history are
rising up before in glow of life, forcing upon ms
comparison OF what this Republic was what 1t
was intended be, and what IL is; aud upon this
we have challenged the Judgment Of civilized mankind
conformity with There is much of which every
American citizen has Just to he proud; an energy
and thrift q power OF thought and action, a pro-
gressivc spirit. which in maSnifccncc of result nave
outtripped all precedent and anticipation; history
abounding in illustrations of heroic PATRIOTISM forttude
and wisdom; greater freedom from foreign wars ana
revolutionary changes Of government than most other
nations can boast of; our Republic, but century old.
and Just the only great civil conflict we have
had to deploIe strong in resources and organization
that il stands in the foremost rank OF tho great Powers
the earth and yet, with all these splendid results on
record IL cannot be denied that at no period during tne
century now behind the American people have b'en
less satisfied with themselves and that the centennial
anniversary of tie Declaration OF Independence in so
many respects to all Americans day oi snoerest pride
and rejoicing is felt TO De in other respects not without
selfreproach and humiliation. or this the corruption
revealed in our political life is the causc.
To the honor Of the American people be 1t sd every
patriotic citizen feels the burning shame of the spectacle
presented in this centennial year, there the memcn'os
and monuments of the virtues of the past, and here the
shocking evidence Of the decentralization and corruption
Of the presents there tbs glowing euoSes pronounced
on the wisdom and purity OF the fathers and here III
mocng contrast the verdics Of courts and TIE records
Of legislative bodies illustrating the political morals OF
to-day; and this before all mankind solemny summoned
rs witness TO the exhibition and guest 10 tho feast
Never was there for kcener mortiicatlon, ahd
kecny does it strike every patriotic heart How can we
avert such dangers and wipe OF such shanei By PROV
ing that although the government machinery has be
come corrupt tie great body Of the people are sound
and strong at the lapplausc and that they are
honestly determined reform the abuses OF our political
life and overthrow at any cost the agencies o eV
that stand in the way Only such an effort, wemeced
and stei My perseycred in until success Is assured WI"
save the good name the nation prevent the prevailing
disease from becoming fatal and restore 10 lis Ola
strength the faith Of own people in their institutions
THE QUESTIONS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
At the impending National election various questions
of great mportance viii submitted 10 our Judgment
The settlements Of civil constitutionaiy hXed
must be consoientiOusy maintained aud at inc same
time the Government strengthened ia general cohicto
by the strict observance Of constitutional Iinci' ann
the old brotherhood Of the people revived by pocy oI
mutual justice and Cancellation.
Our solemn and OF. IN repeated pledge faithfully 10 us
charge all National obligations must bc fuhliy" lap
plausel not only by the payment Of the principal ana III
terest of our bonded debt when due. but also tho re-
moya not later than the time provided by existing aW'
OF the curse OF redundant rredeemab!e paper cur
rency (applause which not only mpedes the return OF
true prosperity but has also lfSeJ cOhlDuIou " 'H
existing Generalization.
These are grave questions, and there are more We
might touch were it plrpOse to lay down com
plete political platform. But grave as they are
still in our present situation we must, as American
citizens recognize it most pressing duty to re-
establish TIE moral character Of our Government ana
20 elevate the tone Of our political life. lApplauscI
Honest government Is the first cOndiu OF enduring
national pro- perity, power, and freedom. Without the
elementary virtues Of political well social life decay
will outstIip progress. Our discssiohS ana sIuS
giles about other great questions ana principles wiz
appear Ike mockeTy and farce II We permit our pnDhe
concerns TO into that ruinOus anarchy "ch cOiIu
tjon must necessarily bring In its tain, because IL
DESTROYS the confidence of the people IN their sefgove-
ment the greatest calamity t1at befali republic
II Is simple question Of life death. corrupt mon
arciy may last by the ruc Of force; corrupt Iepuphc
cannot endure. [Appause1
II useless TO console ourselves with the idea that the
corruption among must be ascrbed so!eY TO the i-
,oeaiate elects OF the ciy war, and will, without an
effort at REFORM soon pass away There is another cause
which is not ransory, but threatens TO become perma-
net IL Is that system which has made the offices oil the
Government the spOs OF party victory; inc sys-
TEN which distributes The places OF trust ana RESPONSE
bity as the reward Of party service and the bounty OF
favorisln; the system which appeals to the mean lhi-
pulses OF sesRess and greed as controlling motive OF
poltcal action the system which degrades the Civll
Service to the level Of party agency and treating
the officer as the hired servant Of the party and taxing
him for party support stimulates corruption and places
Il under party proteeuon the system which brings inc
organization Of parties under the control Oi tSelr mos
scshy Interested and therefore most active element
the holders and the placehuneIs-thus tending 10
organize standing army Of political mercenarics To De
paid out Of the treasury OF the Government who by
organized action endeavor TO suugaie the VIII oi the
people to their ends through the cultivation Of yranni
cal marty spirit. fAppause