The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-07-04
BRIsTow.
An Rfosaens Plea ser nsesssss ~
the Parry Hayes and wheeler
Emaors~a. lsan lf.


The following is the full text OF the
speech OF Hon. Benjamin II. Bristow
at the great Republican ratification
meeting in Cincinnati Saturday night;
The assembling OF this vast audience
10 ratify the work of the National Re
publican Convention, held in this hall
last week, shows that the patriotic peo-
plo of Cincinnati who responded so no
bly, to their country's call in the hour
Of danger and threatened dissolution,
are not yet ready to turn that country
over TO the supreme control OF mere
professional politicians and peddlers
Of patronage.
II is a hopeful sign Of the times to
see, in this city Of solid wealth and
substantial industries, so many OF her
best citizens taking active interest in
the struggle for psty supremacy.
Since the imposition OF internal taxes,
made necessary by the late war. Gin
cinnati has paid into the National
Treasury the aggregate sum OF $780,
000, 900. (applause) to say nothing OF
the amount paid indirectly through an
other branch Of the revenue. Your
great city has paid TO the Government
in this fiscal year one-tenth Of the en-
tire internal revenue collected from 40, :
OO0, 900 Of people. Why, then, should
not the people Of this city feel deep
interest in all that concerns the admin
istration of the Government, the col
lection and disbursement OF revenue
for its support You have a right to
insist upon the faithful collection In
any part of the country Of the taxes i'm
posed by law vast applause. and il is
equally your right and duty to demand
that every dollar SO collected shall be
applied to the legitimate purposes Of
I Government, aud none other. Cheers. !
To this end it behooves every citizen
10 see 10 il that none but competent
aud faithful men are elected to Office.
Applause. When the people become
/ Indifferent to the selection OF their
/ public servants, and suffer our popular
/ elections to pass into the control OF
mere place seekers aud professional
/ politicians, then indeed will have come
! a danger to our common country more
insiduous than treason, and more cer-
] tain than armed rebellion to bring de-
cay and ultimate destruction.
WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
The great outpouring Of the people
here tonight testifies to the fact that
the National Republican Convention
did it's work wisely and well. You are
here for the purpose OF ratifying that
work, aud the enthusiasm Of the hour
shows how heartily your approval is
given The platform Of principles is
one upon which every patriotic citizen
who loves freedom and justice may sc.
curely stand. IL declares for equal and
exact justice to all men, liberty and
equality in the exercise Of all civil, pol
itical and public rights, TO be enforced
IL need be. by all the power conferred
upon the Government by the Constitu
tion. In this declaration is embodied
the highest aim OF government, anC
without its practical operation no gov
ernment is really free or worth the sup
port Of free people. Conceding per
feet liberty and exact equality TO thos,
who sought. by violence, To overthrov
the Go yernment, il demands the sam,
security aud right for the newly enfran
chised race which followed the haJ
aud kept step to the music OF tn
Union" This is but another form O
expression for the idea that this Gov
eminent is a Nation OF one people, an
not mere league OF many States.
RESUMPTION.
The platform commits the party ful
ly and squarely to the resumption @
specie payment lapplausel. which de
manded alike by the best interest q
the people and the solemn pledges G
the Government. There must be n
step backward, but continuous an
9 steady progress toward resumption an
return 10 the money of the Constitu
tion. Every expedient for the revivs
of our PROSTATE industries which fall
short Of absolute resumption and con
plete fnlfllment of all our National ot
legations will prove inadequate aud d'
ceptiye. The necessities OF the coui
try demand the restoration of cont
! dence in business and commercii
transactions, and this will come onl
from o stable currency, and readipei
to discharge all National liabilities n
cording to the letter and spirit of IL
undertaking.
RsPoRM
The convention has given rs a sin
pie and easy method OF reforming ol
civil service, which is neither mere u,
less than tho practical application
public affairs Of the rule which worl
so we'll in private life, that every ms
should mind his own business, M
leave others 10 do likewise. Membe
Of Congress, whom the Constitute
charges with Legislative duties, shou
not dictate appointments 10 Office
|. rewards for personal political servic
but should leave the Executive free
exercise his constitutional functions
the selection Of officers with refs
ence 10 honesty. fidelity and capaeit
under the sanction Of his oath to Ia
care that the laws are faithfully exoct
ed. When the distinction between le
islative and executive functions com
to be fully recognized and observed,
. will be easy enough for the Executi
To reform and elevate our civil seryi
Without this il is impossible. Il
Convention has struck a blow at
very root Of the evil, aud has indicat
the true remedy for the dangerous q
denotes OF a practice which con
down TO us from the Democratic par
The platform pledges the party
speedy, thorough and uDsparing pro
cution and punishment Of all pub
officers who bctray official tru
o,,lauaa 4