The daily gazette., 1876-08-12
A GREAT SPEECH.
DELIVERED BEFORE A LARGE CON-
COURSE OF PEOPLE AT JoHNsoN's
WELLS ON SATURDAY, JULY
81 BY GENERAL L.. p.
WALKER

Il, BY GENERAL l.. P.
WALKER.
FELLow.CI zENs: The national
Democratic party inaugurated at st.
Louis on the 9th June, 1876, politi-
cal campaign that will be forever
memorable in the history of the coun.
try. The convention had many charac-
teristics unusual in avowed party as.
semblages. Although it had in it
many men OF national reputation, re-
cognized leaders of the party, it was
neverthelesspreeminently a convention
of the people, and not of the politi4
clans. 1t represented popular sentis
ment far more than party fealty. 1t
discarded the old traditions that requir-
ed a surrender of the popular Judgment
to the behests of the party leader. and
sought in its nominee the representa-
tive OF an idea rather than the favorite
of a clique. Never before in the his
tory of the country was the distinction
SO strikingly exhibited between DO
pularity and strength. Hendricks and
Lay oiu-pkI uOullc iEhtrutu--W6re
universally popular. Loud huzzas fol-
lowed every mention of their names.
Men grew hoarse with shouting their
praises; and the music of many instru.
ments intensified the enthusiasm. On
the contrary. Governor Tilden was
not popular. Great reformers never
are. There was no magnetism in his
name, no jubilant and shouting advcc-
cacy proclaimed his merits. The
thought he represented, the idea he
embodied, were too serious for intem-
perate and thoughtless vociferation.
But the convention, in the wise exer-
else of reticence of judgment, prefer
red the man of strength, without POI
pularity, to the man of popularity
without strength. This discrimina>
tion was an Inspiration. No FORE
though could have provided for il, as
no generalization could prevent it. 1t
overrode an opposition unparalleled
fer intensity and strategy, combining
wealth, intellect. official position, and
in rare degree, public worth and pri-
vate repute. Its opportunities and
activities were marvellous, and its
organization and generalship admir-
able. No army, with banners, ON the
eve of battle, was ever manenvered
more skilfully; yet this opposition
vanished under the domination of
public opinion, as semblance-disap-
pears before reality. A nomination,
thus gained. means victory; not the
personal triumph of man, but the
glorious installation, in the sacred
Temple of ConstitutlonalLiberty, of the
idea the man represents.
That idea is reform: not supertici-
al and transitory reform, vagrant and
unsteady in its movements, sensitive
to criticism, and obedient to party me-
cessitles, but radical, thorough and ex-
cessive, reaching the evil wherever it
may be found, whether in Republican
or Democratic practices. Our declar.
alton of principles perfectly outlines
the form and pressure of the evils tina.
harass the country; it penetrates the
subsoil in which tap.root of corrup.
ton is planted, and is the living and
breathing embodiment of the spirit of
constitutional governments it demands
the abdication of a corr rupt party
which seeks to live after itsmission is
ended, and the great issues that gives
it soul and spirit have passed into his
tory; it demands restoration of the
old habits of simplicity and honesty
in the. public service; it demands
publication of the whole edifice of
Government from dome to foundation n
stone; it proclaims that "reform is me-
cessary to rebuild and establish in the
heartsof the whole people the Union"
Great as were the evils of war; terri.
bic as were the sufferings of our peo-
pie, impoverished and bankrupt at its
close, what the country has endured
from carpet-bag tyrannies, borne with
heroic fortitude, appeals to the man.
hood OF great nation with potent
eloquence stronger than party allegi-
glance sectional estrangement. This
declaration means National Governs
ment. with restored confidence, return
ing prosperity, Home Rule, revived
memories of the glorious past, one
brotherhood, and the Union as it was
under Jefferson and Jackson. and as it
will be, thank God! once again under
Iilden. In proclaims that "reform
necessary to establish sound curren.
cy, restore the public credit and main
tain the National honor" Mr.. Web
otCi ooio vi ail thC CUutIlfduCGS IOT
cheating the laboring classes of man,
kind none has been more illusory
than that which deludes them with
paper money. This is the most effect.
ual of inventions to fertilize the rich
mans field by the sweat of the poor
mans face" 1t seems to me that the
very shades of Andrew Jackson and
Silas Wright. and all its great leaders
who have departed this life IN the
faith of the fathers, and who gave to
its principles strength, unity and pow
er. would rise in mutiny were the
Democratic party to repudiate the sem
inal idea of Democratic faith by rec.
ognizing as constitutional or perma
nent any other currency than gold and
silver. Since Abraham bought the
cave of Machpelah as burial place,
for silver shekels, Hard money has
been the only recognized currency of
the world by all civilized nations.
Mere promises to pay, though attested
by the sign.manual of royalty itself,
when kingly authority was recognized
as divine. is "a changing standard of