The Osceola times., 1876-09-16
GOV. HENDRICKS.
sis Opcning speech ~ ahelbyvnie. In'
dtans.-A Powerful Appeal 90 the
sober Judgsnens ef the



aober Judgsnens ef the
Nv fellow.citizens: / had not ex.
pected toaddress you in the present polit.
ical contest, but have yielded to the
urgent request Of friends, and will make
this and a few other addresses to the
people.
In recent speech Gov. Morton said
In such a campaign, with slander az
the chief weapon, republicans must be
excused if they speak plainly of the polit,
icd character, history and purpose Of
their antagonists" At the close Of that
speech there remained no question that
"the campaign" 80 far as he could give
it character, was correctly described a
one Of SANDER. No maj, Of Intelligent
observation hss failed to zee that mis-.
representation of the motives of demo-
Gratis is the purpose and policy of the
press and speakers of the republican
party. They charge conduct, attribute
motives and impute sentiments and
opinions wholly unknown to the parties
attacked. Language is attributed which
was never used, or so misquoted and
garbled as to impart meaning never in
tended. A cause must indeed be des-
perate when its vindication requires a
resort to means so despicable and wicked.
In your presence | can not reply by a
resort to like means and the use of such
weapons. Imake you, my old neighbors
who have known me from youth up,
witnesses this day that because of my re-
spect for you, both democrats and repub-
licans, ! can not reply as we are attacked.
And why should /? Is this not the CEN
tennial year? and are we not in the
midst of the memories of the times when
the heroes and patriots Of the revolu.
ticn established the union, and declared
the constitution? Are we not in the
midst of great responsibilities that rest
somewhat upon every mans shouldersY
When corruption in every department
of the public service threatens the sta
bility of our institutions may we smite
truth in the face and WOO tahehood to
our embrace? When the paralysis of
hard times" is felt everywhere, and all
men are looking into the future with
extreme anxiety, may we deny our obi
cations to society and become the blind
followers of party?
What is the truth, and your duty and
mine, in respect to the south but re-
peat my letter of acceptance when say
that all the people must be made to feel
and know that once more there is estab-
lished a purpose and policy under
which all citizens, of every condition,
race and color, will he secure in the en-
joyment Of whatever rights the constitu-
tion and laws declare or recognize, and
that he is a dangerous enemy of his
country who would arouse or foster sec
tional antagonisms. Is it indeed true
that for full ten yearl the republican
party has been enatsAsN laws, has been
expending great sums Of money, and has
been using the army to establish and
maintain control throughout tn, south,
and that yet strife and bloodshed pre-
vail in some localities Failure, cruel
failure, is stamped upon their policy.
In but two states is there bloodshed and
death between the races. In these states
alone. Louisiana aud South Carolina, is
the republican party dominant. In
every other state of the south the people
have recovered and restored the Ameri-
can right and power of selfgovernment,
and the negro race has ceased to be the
tool of party, and peace and harmony
prevail and prosperity is rapidly return
ing TO all. Why not restore Louisiana
and South Carolina to the blessings of
good government, that blacks and whites
alike and together may dwell under the
mild influence of peace and harmony
As wise men and patriotic citizens ask
you to Judge whether it he right, or ex-
pedient, or human, to continue the men
in power who make political gain out of
scenes of violence and bloodshed? Will
you follow the party banner stained with
human blood, and the political battle
cry. "A bloody-shirt and money ?" Is
it not wiser and better to trust party
whose fortunes are identified With tine
supremacy Of law and the triumphs of
peace? There is not one good man in
our whole country whose heart is not
made glad by the assurance that once
more the Methodist Episcopal church is
to become one and undivided. The
christian and patriotic gentlemen whose
labors have brought that result about
merit the gratitude of the country, as
they will receive the blessings of God.
That mighty church will no longer be
divided in America by geographical
lines, nor disturbed by sectional pas.
sions, but united, us the body of Christ,
will press forward in the work of mans
elevation everywhere. In the address, a
week since, it is declared: These
f-aternized churches have no further
occasion for sectional disputes or acrim-
onious differences" As tue love of the
whole for all the parts has animated the
churches, and raised them nearer the
throne, so the same spirit will strengthen
our union of states, and will raise our
country into higher regions of patriotism
and upon brighter fields of glory.
Now, my countrymen, have to ak
your Judgment touching the question
and measure of reform. What think
you, Is reform necessity of our condi-
ton? Do we need reform in respect to
the purity of the public service in re-
spect to the number and character Of our
public officers, and in respect to the
amount of money collected from the pee-
pie, and the economy of its expendi.
ture? think ] know your Judgment
and feel the response of your hearts.
now assume that, intelligently and
earnestly, you are in favor of reform
that you sincerely desire an improve
ment in the pubic service, so that it
shall become purer, more efficient and
less expensive. The practical question
of these times is, how can these results
be attained and how can each man con-
tribute to their attainment Ex-
perience has taught us there is but one