The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-05-31
res lggs s0tys Fl.EsiDHy-
TIAL CANVASS.
extract" from she Address % Hos
Carl schHrz nnd other
Asd spemdemtn.
Issues OF the Caunpninm.


Every patriotic citizen feels the BURNING
shame of the spectacle presented IN the
/ Centennial year; there the mementoes and
Fnonumonts of the virtues OF the past ana
here the ahaekipg evidence Of the democrat
| ization and corruption Of the present there
/ the glowing eulOgics pronounced on the Wis
/ dom and purity of the fathers, and here iu
mOeklng contrast the verdiCts of courts and
I the records of legislative bodies illustrating
the political morals of to-day aud this before
I all mankind sOlemuly summoned as q Wit
ness TO the Exhibition aud q guest 90 tho
/ feast. Never was there cause for kegurr
modification, and keenly does 10 strike eve
cry patriotic heart. How can wtavcrt such
danger and wipe OF such shame BY Prov
ing that, although the government machiu-
cry las become corrupt the great body of
the people are sound and strong ut the core
Tremendous applause) land that they are
honestly determined 20 reform the abuses of
our political life, and to overthrow III any
cost the agencies of evil that stand iu the
way. Only such AN effort, wen directed and
sternly perscyered in until success is assured.
Will save the good name OF the nation, pre-.
vent the prevailing disease from becoming
fatal and restore 10 is old strength the
faith of our own people in their Institutions
(Applause.) At the impending national
election various questions Of great import
ance Will bc submitted 20 our Judgment The
settlements of the civil war. as constitution
ally fixed, must DC conscientiously maiu-
tanned, aud 40 the same time the government
streng thened in general confidence by tho
strict observance of. constitutional priuci-
pies, and tho old brotherhood al the people
revived by policy of mutual justice and
CANCELLATION tApplausc.) Our solemn. and
often repeated pledge. fathuHy 20 tIIa,hSrpe
all national obligations must be- fulfilled.
not only by the payment uf the principal
and Interest of our bonded debt when due.
but Also the removal, not later than tho
time provided by existing law, of the curse
Of our redundant irredeemable paper cur
Tency, which not only impodcs the rCturu OF
true prosperity, but has also largely contrib.
uted 10 the existing decentralization. lTr1-
lOugedapplauso) These are grave questions.
and there are more we might touch wore IN
our purpose to lay down "a complete political
platform. But grave as they arc, still iu our
present situation we must, as American cit
zens, recognize II as our most pressing duty.
to re-cstabllsh Che moral character uf our
goycrnWqpt aud to elevate the tone ct our
political life. (Appnu,e) Honest govern
ment IS the irstCondition Ofcuduriue mutton.
al prosperity, power aud lpodom, Without
the elementary virtues OF political us we'll
social life, decay win outstrip our lrug-
rcss. Our discussions and struggles about
other gfeRt questions and principles will
appear like a mocking and farce II we per-
NIT our public concerns 10 DRIFT into chat
ruinous anarchy, which corruption must
necessarily bring in its train, because IL do
stroys the confidence of the people in their
seltgovernment, the greatest calamity that
can bctall a republic. II is q simple ups-
ton Of life on death A corrupt monarchy
may last by the rule Of torcc--u corrupt ~
public cannot epdure
We have already reaped w great n harvest
Of disaster and shame that we repeat t has
now become the first duty of the American
people To re-estahlish the moral character OF
the goycmment by thorough reform.
What can we do toward This end Ion the inn
pending national election In this respect.
fellow-citizeus, we consider 10 our duty tu
speak very plainly. Never wero the causo
OF good government and the honor OF tho
American name mGIe Immediately depend
ent on tho character, ability and reputation
OF Inc men to DO selected for the highest
offices
WHAT SORT or MEN oUOHr To BE ELECTED.
In view Of the grave circumstances 40
present surrounding us, we declare the
vhantry cannot now afford 10 have amy mau
elected to the Presidency whose very name
Is not conclusive evidence of the most uu-
compromising determination Of the Ameri-
can people to make this pure government
once more. (Applau7e) Our duty iu this
respect is plain and impcrl0u7 IL suffers uo
trifingor cquivocation. The worn-out clap
trap of fair promise, IN party platforms will
not satisfy IT,; neither viii mere luc pro-
fessions uu the part Of candidates; not mere
woFda are needed, but acts; not mere plat
forms, but men.
We therefore declare and cali upon aIl
good citizens to join as that at the coming
l1esidential election we shall support nD
candidate who Ia public position ever couu-
tcnauoci corrupt practices on combinations,
OF iulpcded their exposure and punishment,
or opposed necessary measures of reform,
We Shall support no candidate who. while
possessing official influence and power, hns
failed 90 use his opportuuitics in exposing
and correcting abuses coming within tho
reach Of his observation, bus for personal
reasons and party end. has permitted them
10 tester On for such men may bc counted
on, and not 10 Uncover aud crush corruption,
but for the partys sake merely tO control DO.
We shall support no candidate, however
conspicuous his position on brilliant bis
ability, In whom the impulses Of the party
managers have shown Themselves prcdOmi-
nant over those of reform for be VIII bc iu-
clined 70 continue that fundamental abuse.
the employment Off government service
As "A machinery for personal or party ends.
We shall support DO candidate who, however
favorably judged by his nearest friends BIS
not publicly known 60 possess tho-eq qualities
OF NINA ana CliuaflcT NHlHA tut nLrIu lt"n
of genuine reform rcQuiFvs for the Ameri-
can people cannot NOW afford to risk the iu-
ture Of tho Republic in experiments ou
merely supposed virtue or rumOrcd ability
10 be trusted on the strength of private
recommendation. (Applause.) luOup word.
40 present no candidate should ho held pu.
titled to the support Of patriotic citizens OF
whom thcquc-tiOn may fairly be asked "ls
he really the man % carry through thor
ough-going y.}Jrm ot the guycrumcut2 Cu
he with certainty De- depended upou to pos.
-ss the moral courage and sturdy resolution
10 gapplc with abuses which have acquired
the strength ofe-tabiished custom, and tI
this end firmly la yt4lst Che pressure even
Of his party iioul-r' Whenever There IS
romu t.r tdcll question (and doubt AS lp
the answer the candidate should BE- c9usld-
cred unfit for this emergency.
a singular Case.
Detroit Free Press, April POI