The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-09-14
THE DEMOCRATIC RECORD.
An Able Speech by Hon.
John D. Defrees.
The Best of Reasons why the Demo-
Gratis Should Not be Re-
stored to Power.

Their Responsibility for the COuntry's
Debt-.-Their Real Views and
the HOllOwness Of Their
PretensiOns.
Hon. John D. Defrees recently delivered the
following speech to the people OF West Vir-
ginia, at Berkeley Springs. His reasons why
the Democratic party should not be restored
to power are many and convincing. Mr.. De-
frees united with the Liberal Republicans in
1872, but believes that Gov. Hayes will prove
himself betteA reformer than the man who
not only refused aid to the Union cause, but
periured himself to cheat the Government out
of money which the Union army needed. lie
spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN The political organization call
ing itself the Democratic party is now attempt
ing to obtain control of the National and State
Governments, and, to that end, we are asked to
vote for their candidates at the October and
November elections in this State. AS one who
has not approved of the entire course of the
present Administration, / desire to give, as
briefly as possible, some reasons why the Dem
ocratic party should not be restored to power.
In doing so it will be necessary to glance at its
history and its present professions, as con-
trasted with the history and policy OF the Re-
publican party. Only few years ago the
people of this country were in the enjoyment
of a national prosperity unequaled by any other
naonle under the sun. The national debt
amounted to less than $780, 000,00O-a mere
nothing compared with our ability to pay it.
Individual Indebtedness was not greater than
could be met by ordinary industry and econ
omy. The toll of the farmer, the mechanic,
and the manufacturer was rewarded by fair
o.oI 1I,NIn
prosperous, and happy. Now. how changed! The
national debt amounts to over two thousand
millions of dollars, and the Indebtedness OF
Cities railroad companies and individuals to
much greater sum. The labor OF the farmer,
the mechanic and manufacturer is now almost
unrewarded Many of the manufacturing es-
adjustments and workshops are now closed.
and thousands are seeking in vain Tor employ
ment The poor are every day becoming more
destitute and many in the great cities are suffer
ing for the want of bread. This is no over
drawn picture. It is a dreadful reality. Why
should this be 80 IN country possessing SOIL
of great fertility, OF untold wealth in coal and
iron, and producing more gold and silver than
all the other portions of the world? This
could only exist from some great cause. What
is that cause, and how and by whom was
it brought about, and who are responsible for
it? These are questions OF the utmost
importance, and claim our most
serious consideration. It was caused by the
creation of our national debt, whose enormity
is such as to almost preclude the idea
of its ever being paid. Look at 1t for mo-
ment! In July, 1866, ten years ago, it amount
ed to 50, 773, 1885, 173. This amount in silver
dollars would weigh 173. 327, 1856 pounds. 1t
would require at one ton per wagon 81, SOB
wagons to haul it, and estimating each wagon
and two horse team to occupy twenty feet it
would form q procession of over $40 miles in
length. Since 1866 we have paid 1878, 796, 1928
of the principal and over one thousand MIL
lions of dollars of interest. The national debt
still remaining amounts to over two thousand
millions of dollars, upon which over one hum
dred millions of interest must be paid every
wear This Indebtedness is mainly due to for
eign nations who hold our bonds, and, what
ever Of principal or interest is paid is taken out
Of our own country into theirs. Is 1t any won
der then that the present prostrat1on OF busl-
ness and consequent Distress prevails all over
the land Is it not rather wonder that our
whole country has not become vast pauper-
house? .#aG4a @it 1865
THE DEMOCRATS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEBT
To show what accustomed this vast debt, and
who are responsible for it, we need only go
back to 1860. a period within the recollection of
all who hear me. In that year there were four
candidates for the Presidency, one Republican
two Democrats, and one native American. Mr.
Lincoln the Republican, was elected 1t was
not pretended that he was not legally elected
and yet the Democratic organization or party
now asking restoration to power, refused to
abide by that election, and attempted to de-
stroy the Government rather than to submit to
it, I do not mean that every Democrat was
thus guilty, because I know there were thou
sands in the then non-slayeholding States that
were not but do mean that those who re-
NAMED with the Democratic organization, the
party. did do it. 1t is true, however. that those
belonging to that organization ia the then non
slaveholding States, did not take
M arms to accomplish this pur-
rose. but they did all they dare
do to prevent the prosecution of the war to put
down their brother Democrats who were in
arms. They held conventions. in which their
svmpathies for their cause were expressed in
the shape of resolutions against the prosecu-
ton of the war, thus in effect giving aid and
comfort to the enemies Of the Government. In
1864. in the very midst of the war, when thou
sands of lives had been sacrificed whenalmost
every household in the loyal States had lost
some dear member in battle; when the lamen-
tations of the widow and orphan were heard ali
over our land, and when the prayers of patriots
were ascending to heaven for divine aid, the
Democratic party met at Chicago and resolved
that the war WAS q failure and should not be
| further prosecuted and, now, the chairman OF
fine committee who reported that resolution il
the Democratic candidate for the Presidency.
| and no doubt made so because of the author
/ ship Of that resolution. 1t gives me no pleasure
to thus refer to the attempt of the Democratic
party to destroy the Government by civil war
If it were possible would like to see it stricken
| from the records of the past; but it cannot bt
done. 1t must forever stand as the most cause
| less and the most wicked civil war that stains
anv page of the worlds history. It almos
seems that war SO internal could only have
been instigated by the arch fend, the enemy O.
4 mankind, who desired the destruction of 1h'
happiest and most prosperous people on earth
To resist this rebellion, thus made, it becam,
necessary to borrow vast sums of money, ant
! hence the national debt and all it's dire conse
ouences, for which the Democratic party mus
be held responsible. From this there can b.
no escape. It is claimed, however, that as tn
leaders OF that party met at st. Louis FEY
| L. 0s>5-,s ei- 81