The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-08-09
Governor Hendricks on the Political Sit.
uatiOn.

Ex-Governor Hendricks, of Indiana, on
Monday night opened the Democratic cam
paign, at indianapolis, by I'M able speech, in
which he warmly urged the election of q
Democratic Legislature, in order that DEM
ocratic United States Senator might be
chosen. Referring to the assertion made by
the Republicans that if the Democrats should
obtain controlof the Government they would
bankrupt the Treasury by paying for the
cmancipatcd slaves and Southern war claims,
he said
Amy man who tells you that an obligation
can be assumed or paid in violation of the
constitution deals falsely with you. ! make
you witnesses that throughout its history the
Democratic party has been the party of
economy and exceedingly jealous of old
claims against the Government. Judge the
future by the past Ii is n safe rule. Which
party has most favored these claims ?"
He also paid his respects to lIayess admin
istration. lie asserted that Hayes had no
Southern policy, but that he approved what
The Administration had done in the South
For years and years, said Mr. Hendricks, the
Democratic party has demanded that the
bayonct should be taken from the breasts of
the Southern States, and that they be left
where the constitution placed them-in abso-
lutte control of their domestic affairs.
Governor Hendricks thus alludes to the
proposed candidacy of General Grant
81 appeal to you to prepare for this contest
and that of 1880. What considerations may
| urge? Surely may say that Democratic
will ui yo DF
the civil service, the ultimate reduction in
public expenditures and the adoption of Just
and liberal policies of currency and finance
But more than this will be involved in that
contest General Grant will probably be the
Republican candidate, and his candidacy will
signify strong government, always prepared
to hold the people in control. In the midst of
the present hard times thousands of men have
been thrown out of employment. Led by hope
or driven by fear, they have wandered from
place to place seeking work until all their re-
sources are exhausted and they have become
tramps. 1t is now common to attribute to
them all acts of violence and public disturb
ances over the country. This condition is
made the prcteXt for demanding stronger
and more arbitrary supervision and CONTROL
The general distress in business and the con-
sequent want of employment for labor have
disturbed and excited the entire laboring pop
ulation, and that is also urged as a reason for
comforting more absolute authority, under the
pretext of SURPRISING strikes and labor riots.
Grant and centralized and strong govern
ment is the sentiment of his party. Upon
no other ground could his nomination and
election be urged His elevation again would
trample under foot the unbroken sentiment of
the people against third term. This move
ment will not be easily defeated. The strug-
gle between free institutions and the aggres.
sions of power has never been an easy one
General Grant is fitted to lead the movement
and establish the new order of things He
has the qualities and training, and is accus-
toned to arbitrary authority and military law
During his entire administration he maintain
ed his party in many States by the use of the
army, and his disregard of civil authority,
whenever it came in the way of party am
bition, appears throughout his entire admin
istration."