The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-09-09
COON EYE DEMOCRACY.

And now, in conclusion, as to The rea-
son why have not left the Democratic
party sooner. They say l want office, and
that have wanted office. II l had,
gentlemen. / would have left the Demo
cratic party years ago, for it is a matter
Of record that j have said for years that
there was never any hope OF the Demo.
Gratis carrying Iowa. II had been an
ofFice-seeker should have left the old
party long ago. ] am not candidate
Tor office, and never will be. I have no
aspirations for prominence in politics, and
I do not see why, when Is private citi.
zen l have tried to change my party
quietly, all this abuse should be heaped
upon me. can stand it though, and it
In nowise changes my conviction as to
my duty, only to intensity and confirm il.
Applause. A.a'1. y
1 feel in earnest now as I did during
the war. [Cheers.) l have no retreat to
make. (Renewed cheers.) The reason ]
have left the Democratic party Is that |
no faith in it cheers, and no faith in
the old rebel element who l have long
feared would come TO the front, and who
] know and see have come, and whose
coming has made my way clear and
my course OF duty -plain. [Great ap-
plause. Seeing these men again at the
head Of the party, and seeing the defiance
Of the men who last held office in the
National Government under the Demo.
cratic party makes things plain enough.
Among The last Democratic officers Of any
note were Floyd and Jake Thompson,
The Democratic Secretary Of War and
Secretary OF the Interior. They stole
from the Government they were sworn 10
serve to help the rebellion raised TO de.
stroy Il, and beside their crimes and cor.
ruptions all that is charged against the
Republican officials, admit il all TO be
true even, sinks into insigni6cance.
Why, old Jake Thompson, encouraged
BY the defiance Of Ben Hill in his speech,
went down to Washington a few months
ago, and like a braggart demanded inyes.
tigation, pompously saying that he would
waive the legal point Of time. He went
down there blowing, and got sued-for
the money that he stole for the rebels.
Great cheering.l II old Floyd were
alive he too probably would go down there,
under the protection Of the rebel shadow
Of Ben Hill, and demand investigation.
Laughter. But like the child covered
with the curse Of the crime against Abra-
ham Lincoln, he also had the good sense
10 die. He was at Fort Donelson with
the other observation-disclosures" but he
skipped ont early, 30 n TO be safe. II he
had stood his ground like 4 brave man, he
would probably have had the good for
tune 10 die earlier. Laughter. But he
Ut out. He could steal for the Confeder-
acy, but he couldn't die for il. [Laugb-
Ter. - va q .F''
lis his fault gentlemen, and not mine,
that his memory is rot 30 be spoken OF
with more respect. This Thompson and
this Floyd were tSe last OF the Democratic
rulers, and they represented the domino
lion OF the South In the Democracy then,
And Thompson and his friends and the
friends Of Floyd, are againpressing to The
front 10 assume party control. As they
have come as leaders, ! have asked and
taken the privilege Of leaving the Demo-
cratiGranks. Cheers.l This, fellow cit
liens, Is why am here tonight. Renew
Al chaara II
Finally, gentlemen, Iwould say keep a
solid front and well beat them. Cheers !
I hope and think We will. / am with you,
and with you in earnest. Great cheer
ing.l Close up for the fight They mean
business, and we must. EApplanse.1 It
il something Of the old fight only Il Il To
be fought 81 the ballot box instead Of on
the battle field. Renewed applause,
frequently repeated. ~ o. u J-
l thank you, gentlemen, for having
heard me 90 patiently. I have mot tried
to make a speech; / am no speaker. u
have tried simply 70 tell you, my neigh.
bors, why have changed parties, and at
the same time 10 make brief answer TO
a few Of tho many mad and venomous
charges which have been made against
me because Of my act.