Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-11-02
Republican Premises and
Democratic Performances
Ably Contrasted.
The Real Solution of the Southern Cues
ton, Local elf-Gcvernment.
Address Delivered at Alton, Ill,
October 10.
From the st. Louis Tinles.l

From the st. Louis Tinles.l
Notwithstanding the untavorable weather,
the Democratic rally at Alton yesterday was
a complete success. From 5000 to 5000
people were present, and the enthusiasm of
the masses augurs well for the success
OF the Democracy in the Sucker State next
month. The fact that Governor Hendricks
would deliver an address was generally adj
vertlsed, and the desire to see the next
Vice-President was universal. Promptly at
> O'Clock. Judge Cambria called the meet
ing to order and stated that Governor Hem
bricks and other distinguished citizens
would address the crowd on the political
issues of the day. He spoke of Governor
Hendricks $ services to the country, and said
III view OF his great national character a
formal introduction was unnecessary. Gov
ernOr Hendricks advanced to the railing and
said:
GOVERNOR H~ENDRICKs's SPEECH.
MY FELLow-CITIZENs: AS l approached this
great river, | thought the people here ought to
ha Ve no difference of opinion ON the Southern
question. In this part of the country interest
unites with honor and manhood in o desire to re-
store good government and %fraternal fl cling. He
said he had found IN this part of Illinois very lit
tie difference of opinion on this subject; the peo-
pie earnestly desire a union of hearts and hands
that will last for ever. 1t has been sad that the
De , ocrats can not be safely trusted with the
rights of the black man, but the facts do not
establish any such proposition.
lie knew there were troubles in the South, but
they were created by bad men, who wanted to
make political capital out of them. A fact wor-
thy of note is that in no Southern State ruled by
Democracy are there any troubles. He cited AR.
kansas as an illustration. Five years ago it had,
under Clayton, the worst government known in
the Union; now it has one Of
THE MOST P~EACEABLE
He had something to do, net much it is true,
in the formation of the present good, just and
peaccable government of Arkansas. AT the re-
quest of a delegate to the Constitutional Conyen-
ton, assembled after the State passed under the
control of the Democracy, he forwarded a copy
of the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and
. that Constitution, which nobody questions in its
provisions for protecting the blacks, was to a
considerable extent adopted and is now in force
in Arkansas. Under the rule of Clayton the con-
dition Of public affairs in arkansas was simply
terrible. Armed bands of negro militia rOamed
over the State at will, and under the leadership
of bad white men committed outrages that stung
the whites to resentment; and riots, turbulence
and bloodshed followed almost all a necessary
consequence.
lie asked if any Republican could tell him of a
single negro killed for politica reasons since it
had passed into Democratic hands and adopted u
Democratic form of government. Not a single
instance OF political violence had occurred since
then, ana to- day the State is one OF the most
peaceful and prosperous in the Union. Cheers
A year ago Mississippi passed under the con-
troi OF the Democracy. rrlor to tnat time trou-
between whites and blacks, but since peace,
quiet, order and fraternal feeling has existed,
and even the cOlOred men OF the State admit that
they have the best government they have ever
known, and
NOT A NEGRO HAS BEEN KILLED
in political troubles since that election. In all
the southern States controlled by the Democracy
the blacks and whites live as peac6ably and fra
ternaiiy as in illinois. Now, why is this: Answer
this question, and you have settled the Southern
question. He said the Constitution guarantees
every state the rlgh. to control Its domestic at
fairs, and as long as that principle is recognized
no trouble or internal discussions exist, but when
this principle is violated, as was dCne by the car
pet-bag governments in the south, trouble, and
perhaps bioodshcd, follow. The Radicals were
the first to deny or overthrow this principle OF
the Constitution, and the disorders that had Oc-
Cured in the South were attributable to this vio-
lation. Under Democratic rule the Constitution
is regarded as sacred, its provisions carried out,
every mans rights respected, and peace and good
orderfollOwed. Would the people of illinois sub
nit peacefully to such governments as were in
tlicted upon the people of the South; lCries OF
"No, noi"l They would not. Could a Governor
be sent to you from Massachusetts and admins
ter your laws without protest: Would you sub
nit to having a Sheriff from across the river fas-
tened upon you to have charge OF your liberty
and property: Loud cries OF MORT No, you
would not. His first writ would be his death
warrant. [Cheers.l
1t is said that the Governor of Louisiana can
not leave h office and go five squares in safety
without being assaulted by whlpe Democrats.
That may be true; / don't know. But night be-
fore last he (GOv. Hendricks) left the state OF
Indiana in the middle of the night and felt no
necessity for a guard. [Cheers.l He appre-
hended no danger, and telt just as secure as
when in his home. In crossing the States Of In
diana and Illinois, had he been threatened or as
saulted he would have appealed to the authorl-
ties, Democrats or Republicans, and
WOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED.
"But, said he, in a most impressive manner.
'my friends, the difference is simply this: L was
elected Governor of Indiana by the votes of the
people and placed in the office by the will of the
people; VIM. Pitt Kellogg never was loud
cheersl, but was foisted into the office IN oppo-
cries of THAT'S SOL That is the difference.
Louisiana and South Carolina are not allowed to
have Democratic officers, and thete is no peace
or harmony in those States. ,
Instead Of sending armed bands Of men send
to those states the American principles OF gov:
errment; restore to those people the right OF
local self government and it will be rs peace
able there as in Illinois. That is the Democratic
principle, and if you like it come and vote with
us; but if you wish to continue the rule OF the
corrupt Republican party and foster the doctrine
of everlasting hate vote the Republican ticket,
and take the responsibility of the crimes Of that
party: He urged the people TO build up the m
situations of our country according to the T. onstl-
tuition and we will have no further internal
dissentions, no strife or bloodshed in any State.
On the Democratic banner, ne said, IS written
IN letters of light the wore Reform" but
Says
Al this ~juncture q part of the platform gave
way, creating some confusion and excitement.
governor Hendricks stepped speaking, and re-
fused to go on until order was restored. Some
,dOwn."l 80
If it's breaking down, :" said Governor Hen
Sricks, clear il off-that IS all that can be
sm UHe Turning to the audience, with a pleasant
smile MI he said: My friends, if they can't keep
oruer back here, We'll try and keep quiet and
eVGn. lCheers and cries of '' that's rignt."l
q continued: The man who says reform is
not nn e31 the best words in our language tOes
who has been ""Ao
LED FROM Til PATH OF VIRTUE
and he III nm the truth of that word 90 reform >, !"
What il ~ soon return to tee ways of right, and
COO of ne S%S o. one young man is true of 40 .O!0,,
if the b RSUpIe In this Centennial year. He asked
admin fistpae mink there is need of reform in the
in order to non OF this Government [cries of yesl;
read no ~ 20 snow the sad state of affairs he would
sGoyernors d . from several leading Republicans
hendricks here read MI. Hoar's cele-