Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-04

first said, and then said that the first thing
didn't like in the democratic House was the APP
pointment of Fitzhugh, the Sergeent- at Arms of
the Confederate Congress, as the dOorkeeper of
the House. and the displacement of Union soldiers
many of them crippled in the WARMTH the ex-
members of the rebel army. Great applause
He wanted to know if they didn't have night to
do this. | answered that they had, but that also
had right to disapprove and denounce it.
Another thing didn't like was Ben Hills rebel
speech, and its bold utterances of treason. and
didn't like the rebel yell in response to it all over
the South, for had heard that yell before and
knew what il meant. lGreat cheers. They told
me--the democrats-that l am scared" of Ben
Hill. don't thiak / am. | don't think | was
scared Of any of the Hills when met them in
the south; | do not remember that was. Great
cheering Then told my friend how worse than
all was the mean, bad and unbushng act of appoint
ing to the cleikship of the leading committee OF
of House. the man llambleton, who named his
son John Wilkes Booth after, the assassin of
President Lincoln. Immense cheeripgl. This
outrageous act, in trucking to the rebel eemerH,
the Northern democrats dare not disown. and for
all know this man is still the clerk of that com
mittee. The little child dishonored by HIS
name and the significance of it, had the good
sense to die. Applause
That speech of Ben Hills and the record that
the democratic party has made in regard to it,
would have been enough of itself to send any
man who cares for his country out of all fellow
ship with il and the party in whose name and by
that speech defended Andersonve and the afro
cous treatment OF Union prisoners in the South
ern prison bells. Could | endorse that and still
remember my own comrades who suffered in them
more than death and hell Can any party sue
coed who even tacitly indorses sentiments like
these?
Why, old Jake Thompson, encouraged by the
defiance of Ben Hill in his speech, went down to
Washington q few months ago and like a braggart
demanded investigation, pompously saying that
he world waive the legal point Of time. lie
went down there blowing, and got sued-for the
money he stole of the rebels Great cheering
If old Floyd were alive he. too, probably would
90 down there under the protection of the rebel
shadow of Ben H and demand investigation.
(Laughter). But, like the child, covered with the
curse of the crime against Abraham Lincoln, he
also had tho good sense to die. lie was at Fort
Donaldson with the other constitutional uggers,
but he skipped out early so as to be safe. If he
had stood his ground like a brave man, he would
probably have had the good fortune to die earlier.
Laughter). But he lit out. He could steal for
the contederacy, but he wasn't willing to die for
it. Q.aughtcr) 1t is his fault, gentlemen, and
not mine, that his memory is not to be spoken OF
with move respect. This Thompson and this
Floyd were the last of the democratic rulers, and
they represented the domination of the South in
the democracy then. And Thompson and his
friends, and the friends of Floyd, are again press
ing to the front to assume party control. As they
privilege of leaving the democratic ranks
Cheers. This, fellow citizens, is why | am here
to night. (Renewed cheers)
GOOD BYE DEMOCRACY.
And now, in conclusion, the reason why
have not left the democratic party sooner. They
say want Office, and that have wanted office.
If l had gentlemen, would have left the demo-
cratic party long ago, for it is matter of record
that have said for years that there was never
any hope of the democrats carrying Iowa. If
had been an office-seeker l should have left
the old party long ago. | am not candidate for
office, and never will be. l have aspirations
for prominence in politics, and do not see why,
as private citizen, have tried to change my
party quietly all this abuse should be heaped upon
me. / can stand it though, and it in nowse
changes my conviction as to my daty, only to in
tensfy and confirm it. (Applause.)
l feel in earnest now, a. did during the war.
(Cheers.) | have no retreat to make. (Renewed
cheers. )The reason that have left the Democrat
ic party is that have no faith in it (cheers) and
no faith in the old rebel element whom l have
long feared would come TO the front, and whom
ing have made my way clear, and my of
duty plain. (Great appause) Seeing these men
again at the head of the party, and seeing the de-
hance of the men who last held office in the Ma
tional Government under the Democratic party,
makes things plain enough. Among the last
Democratic officers of any were Floyd and
Jake Thompson, the Democratic Secretary of
War, and Secretary of the Interior. They stole
from the government they were sworn to serve,
help the rebs lion raised to destroy it, and be-
sides their crimes and their corruptions all that is
charged against the Repub lean officials, admit it
all to be true even, sinks into insigniiicance.