The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-10-05
Judge KirhpatriCk's Address.

On Friday evening last the Hayes and
Wheeler Club of Stroudsburg were permit
ted the use of the Court House, and for this
courtesey, the Club tender their acknowl
edgements to their honors the Judges of the
Court.
Judge kirkpatrick of Easton delivered an
address on the political issues of the day,
and music was cxcelently rendered by the
Stroudsburg Cornet Band The Court
House was filed the entire evening by an
attentive audience, Republicans and Demo
Gratis contributing about an equal number.
The speaker delivered fluent, eloquent and
logical discourse, arraiging the Democracy
and their candidates for their errors and in
consistencies, in exceedingly firm though
moderate terms, comparing the Republican
record and candidates with our opponents,
backing up his assertions and arguments with
extracts, figures, and evidence Of such na-
ture as could not be other than convincing to
every fair and honest mind.
The fact that almost the entire audience
remained during the whole speech, which oc-
cupied about two hours in its delivery, Is suf-
6cient evidence of its entertaining character,
and the speaker was frequently and loudly
applauded.
The following is brief summary of the
salient points in the speech.
After an alluson to the magnificent noun
tain scenery that surrounded us, and eX-
pressing regret that the same should enclose
a population holding political opinions with
which he was compelled to differ, he credited
democracy with perfect honesty in their con-
victions, but, believed they had not thor
oughy examined all sides of the questions at
issue. He believed this present political
campaign to be the last desperate expiring
struggle of our foes to wrench the Govern
ment from the hands of those who saved it.
"On the issue of this contest depends the
question whether we shall hold the gains
made by the war. :"
1--WE are told that the Democrats accept
the issues of the war, but shall show and
satisfy you that they do not. y
In support of these assertions the speaker
pointed to the significant fact that the Dem
ocrats relied upon a united South to over
come the vote of the Union people of the
North and elect Tilden, the same kind Of a
unity as they exhibited during the rebellion.
Also that the Southern people were not CON
tent with the constitutional amendments in
regard to Negro suffrage, payment Of Rebel
claims, &C. and the danger of admitting to
the control of the Government those who
struggled so hard to destroy it was fully and
satisfactorily demonstrated.
The respective merits Of the two candid,
ates next engaged the speakers attention
Grant for the sake Of argument that the
issue of the present contest is simply ques
ton of men, Gov. Hayes is superior to Til
den in the fact that he has never been essen
TALLY politician, whereas Tilden during his
whole life has been continuously not only a
politician but bred and educated in that hot
bed of dishonest politicians, Tammany Hall.
Democrats all concedc Hayes to be per
fectly honest man, but endeavor to make the
point that he is a weak man. Did he ex
hibit any weakness when he fought, bled
and risked his life IN the army for the sake
of his country, at the same time that Tilder
was staying at home, declaring the war Z
g failure and manipulating his politica
prospects? Great applause Hayes earn
Il l.. tho ho ri, Hall MI uhIls
Tilden earned his principally as a railroad
lawyer Tilden was the principal Tammany
politician, Chairman of State Central Com
mittee, at the time of the enormous fraud.
on the ballot box in New York City in 1868
and was arraigned by Horace Greeley in hi
celebrated open letter in regard to thos'
frauds Hayes nomination by the Cncin
natti Convention was the spontaneous de
mand of the Republican party, for a purely
honest candidate whereas Tilden' nomna
ton was the result of his own planning, whicl
shows his excessive cunning.
The speaker also alluded to Tilden's slow
ness in writing his letter Of acceptance
explaining his income tax, &C.. and remark
ed that if elected he would probably requir
six months to take the oath Of Office laugh
ter)
The Democratic demand for Reform wa
then discussed at great length. IF 30
really want Reform don't take professions
politician rather take a man whose Who'll
| life has been free from political trickery
Tilden has been in politics for 40 years, an
nobody ever heard Of him as a reformer unit
Tweed had become unpopular, then he too
advantage of Tweed's misiOrtuncs to max
political capital for himself How is it poss
BILE to expect Reform from man who ha
deliberatly disobeyed the law himself an
received the punishment for the same? Sue
a man is not proper one to enforce ii
laws"
The speaker here spoke truly and eloquen
ly of the great fact that Tilden had not on
dicohavad the law I'm not retunrnino his cO