The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-09-16
Speech Of Gov. Hendricks,
AT sHELBYvILLE, INDIANA.
A Statesman's Exibit of the Situation The
Era of Riot and Corruption Must Give
Way to Peace and Reform.
SHELBYyILLE, IND, Sept, I'd.

Way to Peace and Reform.
SHELBYyILLE, IND, Sept, I'd.
The Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks spoke
here tonight The meeting was probably
the largest held in the State this campaign.
From 10000 to 10000 persons were pres
ent. Governor Hendricks was received
with great enthusiasm and manifestations
Of welcome from his native county. He
said he had yielded to his friends, and will
mike this and few other addresses to
the people. In recent speech Governor
Morton said :--"In such campaign, with
SANDER as the chief weapon, Republicans
must be excused if they speak plainly of
the political character, history and purpose
of their antagonists" At the close Of
that speech there remained no question
that the campaign, SO far as he could give
it character, was correctly described as one
Of SANDER. No man of intelligent obser.
walton has failed to see that misrepresen-
tation Of the motives Of Democrats is the
purpose and policy of the press and the
speakers Of tho Republican party. They
charge conduct, attribute motives, and
imputc sentiments and opinions wholly
unknown to the parties attacked. Lam
guage is attributed which was never used,
or SO misquoted and garbled as to impart
a meaning never intended. A cause must
indeed be desperate when Its vindication
requires resort TO means SO despicable
and wicked. In this great centennial year
he could not reply as he was attacked.
What is the truth and your duty and
aim in respect to the South? I but re-
peat my letter Of acceptance when say
that all the people must be made to know
and feel that once more there is established
purpose and policy under which all citi-
zens Of every condition, race and color will
be secure in the enjoyment Of whatever
rights the Constitution and laws declare
or recognize, and that he is dangerous
enemy of his country who would arouse or
foster sectional antagonism. In but two
southern States is there bloodshed and
death between the races. In these States
alone, Louisiana and South Carolina, is
the Republican party dominant. In overy
other State of the south the people have
recovered and restored the American right
and power of self government, and the
negro race has ceased TO be the tool Of
party, and peace and harmony prevail, and
prosperity is rapidly returning to all. Gov.
Hendricks spoke Of the restoration Of har-
mony in Arkansas and Mississippi, after
the overthrow of the Republican admins
tration therein. He said the same story
tells the history Of North Carolina, Texas
and Alabama. Why not restore Louis
lana and South Carolina to the blessings
of good government? The 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 be right, or expe-
dient, or humane, to continue the men in
power who make political gain out of
scenes of violence and bloodshed. There
is not one good man in our whole country
whose heart is not made gladder 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
about must merit the gratitude of the
country, as they will receive the blessings
of God. That mighty church will not
longer be divided in America by geograph-
ical lines or superficial passions, or dis
turbed. United as the body of Christ, it
will press forward in the work of mans
elevation everywhere. In the address a
week since it declared that these fraterniz-
ed churches have no further occasion for
sectional dispute. As the love of the whole
for all the parts has animated the church
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.
Mr.. Hendricks next touched on the
question Of Reform. He said corruption
was found everywhere unchecked by men
retained in power, and he argued that the
remedy therefor was change of admins
tration. He said whose fault is it that
there has been no reform, but on the con-
trary that the public service had been
drifting from bad to worse2 ? 1t is not fair
to charge if altogether on Grant. That
charge springs from an unworthy motive
on the part Of class of Republicans who
seek Governor Hayes election on the
ground that he can accomplish reforms
which General Grant could not or would
not bring about. Upon this subject Gov.
Morton expressed the following opinion in
his late speech THE administration of
any President win be in the main what
the party which elected him makes it. If|
he breaks away from his party, the chances
are that he will be broken down. In
government Of parties like ours, the Presi-
dent must have his choice Of officers. The
men to whom he owes his election, who
have defended him from assaults, to whom
he must look for support in the future,
will ordinarily control his action, and he
will do nothing offensive to them" In
large degree that expresses the truth in
respect to General Grants administration.
1t is what his party hayo made il. -Four
years ago in my opening address as can
didate for governor, expressed my per-
sonal respect for General Grant, in the
opinion that the people had less cause to
apprehend an evil policy from him than
from the malign and powerful influences
with which he would be surrounded. You
all know that the results were more than |
realized in my predictions. Civil service |
reform is now sneered at, and has ceased |
to be even pretense. Wasteful expen- |
ditures have continued, and official mis- |
conduct has become widespread and alarm |
ing. Surely the President cannot be re- |
lieyed Of responsibility for 50 shameful q |
condition Of public affairs, but yet the ad- |
Is in the main what the party |
have made IL. Wilt be other !
wise if the party elects the successor |
General Grant had four years of civil ex-
perience when he pledged himself and his |
to reform. Even he was
not strong enough to achieve success in |
the midst Of the adverse influence which |
party and party leaders brought about him. |