The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-09-14
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THE HENDRICKS RECEPTION.
Speech of the Democratic Candidate
for Vice President at Shelbyville,
Indiana.
A Conservative Address to Intelligent
Voters.

J
urgent request of friends, and will make
this and a few other addresses to the
people;
In recent speech Governor Morton
said: in such campaign, with slander
as the chief weapon, Republicans must be
excused if they speak plainly Of the pc,
litical 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 slander. No man of intelligent
observation has failed to see that mis-
representation of the motives of Demo-
Gratis is the policy of the press and speak
ers of the Republican party. They charge
conduct, attribute motives and impute
sentiments and opinions wholly un-
known to the parties attacked. Lam
guage is attributed which was never used
or so misquoted and garbled as to impart
ameaning never intended. A cause in
deed must be desperate when its vindI-
cation requires a resort to means so des-
picabe and wicked, In your presence l
can not repel bya resort to like me MS
and the use of such weapons. | make
you, my old neighbors, who have known
me from youth up, witnesses this day,
that because Of my respect for you, both
Democrats and Republicans, | can not
reply as we are attacked. And why
should II Is not this the Centennial
year? and are we not in the very midst
of the memories Of the times when the
heroes and patriots Of the Revolution
established the Union, and declared the
Constitution? Are we not in the midst
Of great responsibilities that rest some
what upon every mans shoulders? When
corruption in every department of the
public service threatens the stability of
our institutions, may we smite truth in
the face and WOO talsehood to our en-
brace? When the paralysis Of hard
times" is felteyery where, and all men are
looking into the future with extreme
anxiety, may we deny our obligations to
society, and become the blind followers
of party?
What is the truth, and your duty and
mine, in respect to the South? | but re-
peat my letter Of acceptance when | say
that all the people must be made to feel
and know that once more there is estab-
lished purpose and policy under which
all citizens, of every condition, race and
color, will be safe 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 OF foster sectional antagO-
nisms Is it indeed true that for full
ten years the Republican party has been
enaCtng laws, has been eXpendlng great
Sums Of money, and has been using the
army to establish and maintain control
throughout the South, and that yet strife
and bloOdshed prevail in some locaities2
Failure, cruel failure, is stamped upon
their policy. In but two States is there
bloodshed and death between the races.
In these States alone, Louisiana and in
South Carolina, is the Republican party
dominant. In every other State of the
South the people have recovered and re-
stored the American right of self-gOyern-
ment, and the negro race has ceased to
be the tool Of party, and peace and har-
mOny prevail, and prosperity is rapidly
returning to all. DO you reColleCt that
less than four years ago Clayton and his
plundering associates maintained hOr-
rid government in Arkansas by bands Of
armed men, and that there was no peace
or safety to the black man nor to the
white man? Under kind Providence
the people obtained an opportunity to
hold an election. They revised their
Constitution and elected good men to Of
fee, and since that day the mild sway
and authority of the law has been over
all and respected by all, and the races
have dwelt III harmony. One year ago
the Democrats carried the elections in
Mississippi Both branches of the Leg
islature were Democratic. The laws since
enacted have been so wise and just to-
ward all races that not even complaint
has been made. The Governor and su.
bordinate officers abandoned their posi-
tions to avoid impeachment upon grave
charges. Their rerniCiOus influence be-
ing removed, and the people no longer
distracted or plundered, the black and
the white man have since been friends,
and now strive together for the restora-
ton of their State. The same story tells
the history of North Carolina anG Texas
and Alabama. Why not restore Louisi-
ana and South Carolina to the blessings
of good government, that the blacks and
whites alike and together may dwell un
der the mild influence Of peace and har-
mony? AS wise men and patriotic citi-
zens as you to judge whether it be right
or eXpedient or humane, to continue
the men in power who make political
gain out of scenes of violence and blood
she? Will you follow the party banner
stained with human blood, and the po-
litical batte.cry, "a bloody shirt and
money!" Is it not wiser and better to
trust a party whose fortunes are identi-
fed with the supremacy of the law and
the triumphs of peaCe2 There is not
one good man in our whole country
whose heart is not made glad by the as
BuranCe that once more the Methodist
Episcopal Church is to become one and
undivided. The Christian and patriotic
gentlemen whose labors have brought
that result about merit the gratitude of
the country, as they will receive the
blessings of God. That mighty church
will no longer be divided in America by
geographical lines, nor disturbed by sec
tional passions, but united, as the body
ofChrist, will press forward in the work
of mans elevation everywhere. In the
address week since, it is deClared:-
"These fraternized churches have no fur
ther occasion for sectional disputes or &C.
rimonious differences" As the love of
the whole for all the parts has animated |
the churches, and raised them nearer the |
throne, so thes same spirit will strengthen !
our Union of States, and will raise our
country into higher regions of patriot
ism, and upon brighter fields of glory.
Now, my countrymen, have to ask |
your judgmenttouching the measure and |
question of freiorm. What think your
Is reform necessity of our condition?
Do we need reform in respect to the pur-
ity of he public service; in respect to the
number and character of our public Off
GERS, and in respect to the amount of
money collected from the people, and |
the economy of its expenditure l think |
know your judgment and feel the re-
srOns9 of yOur hpqrts