Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-09-05
GEN. CHAS. B. GR0SVEN0R
DELIVERED AT
Hillsboro, O., Saturday, Aug. "a 1878
DELIVERED At

Mr. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS: By ap-
poinunent OF the Republican Executive Committee
of Ohio, appear before you to-day to discuss the
issues Joined between the great political parties now
seeking preferment at the hands OF the people OF
the State I come not however to suggest new
IDEAS departures, and startling theories,
but mine shall be the work 10 simply place in COM
pact form, if so may these issues, these questions,
and show you why the grand old Republican party,
with its history and record, should be indorsed by
the people, and its lease OF power renewed ana eX-
tended The great mass of Republicans need no
keynote" nor do they look TO the tricks OF plat
form makers as guide for their eonsclences ana
Judgment. The grand ana massive principles OF our
party are written in the Constitution Of this great
country. They the landmarks OF our progress in
population, wealth. science, art, and general pros
perity They appear in our national virtue our
love of liberty, aud veneration of justice. The rec
ord of its principles and its political tenets marx the
dsmembered, dismantled, MeXicanized republic,
enchaosed by bad government and political coTup-
bankruptcy, with a flag 'despised and rejected OF
men," Constitution weak and imperfect for Orotec-
ton and selfpreservation, an empty treasury
scattered and disloya army and rotten and WORTH
less navy its present grand position among the ma
tons of EARTH We have reached point in our his
tory where we can look with Just party pride upon
nation under one flag and one government, solid,
compact, and permanent; political virtue ana OIL
cIal integrity at q premium; treason made odious
in the present and impossible in the future; a
national credit such we never had before. and
which is not exceled by any other country-the re-
suit of the ''nOneSt money position OF the hepllD-
lican party, unaided by our opponents. Con>ti-
tuition completed and symmetrical, representing the
dreams and theories OF the fathers OF the republic
which they desired long to sec, but died without
the sight,; army, strong in patriotism and scien-
tific development loyal to our flag, faithful u our
traditions, and at the same time the guardian anu
protector of our lives persons, and property navy
true to the national honor, true tO heroiSn. and
carrying flag to the ends Of the earth, no longer
the imbeciie hands of James Buchanan
(the last of Democratic Presidents-mav his
tribe not increasel. but the emblem OF
great nations mighty power to protect all It's ct1-
zens of every race and color no matter where he
may be found and punish its enemies, no matter OF
what race of how great Traditional proves. 4
flag the emblem of unity strength progress, wealth,
science, education. civil and political equality and
Christian civilization. Treasury, which il found
empty and without credit filled with gold and silver
COIN ready ts redeem the plighted commercial faith
of the country in the coin of the Constitution, and
not in the rags, nothing but rags" OF which Judge
Thurman complained at Waverly in 1861
STATE AFFAIRs
Allow me- fellow citizens, to cali your attention to
the record Of the two great parties i'll the matter OF
their administration of our own State government.
And here want to apply the rule laid down 10y
Senator Thurman to-wit. That lit is but Justice
then, to say to our rulers you have had every op-
portunity TO do good and avert evil, and You have
Jailed to do either. IOu have had opportunities
such as other party ever enjoyed to beneht your
country ana YOU have. by want of Intelligence or
virtue or both brought it to the verge of ruin. IL
is time. high time, that you surrender the relns OF
government" The doctrine, in other words. IS.
that il political party fails il ought to 60 out OF
office If it blunderS bluuder is bad as a crime.
Let us briefly examine the history of the Republican
party in Ohio and compare it with that of the Dem
ocratic marty The Republicans elected the Cover
nor in 1855 and from that time down to this,
cepting Governor Allen for two years and Governor
Bishop for two years The Democrats had the LeslS-
lature several times during that period, ana call
your attention very nigh evidence of honesty and
fathfulness OF the Republican party in its admins
tration go back to the report of the Ball com
mittee in the Legislature of 1870 and ISL. Gen.
W. IL. Ball. able and distinguished Demo
crat procured the adoption OF resolution
authorizing a committee of i've to investigate the
conduct of the State administration in all its
branches running away back to, and even beyond,
the birth of the Republican party. Gen Ball was
made Chairman ana he had four able assistants,
among them the Hon. Isaiah Pillars, present At
torney Cieneral. They spent whole winter; every
oss;ble facility was giyeI, them and our Democratic
friends hoped for capital 10 be made by that com
mittee's report. They looked toward it as does the
average Democrat now look 10 the Potter huInDus
for party aid in 1880.
Al length, wearied with the hunt, Gen. Pail wrote
and signed report, an extract from which Is as
aThe examination has taken wide range; 100
witnesses residing in different parts OF the slate,
have been subpenaed and examined touching pubilc
contracts and expenditures, the construction OF
public buildings the conduct of public institutions
etc All matters without reference to the date oi
their occurrence coming 10 the knowledge of The
committee, that seemed 10 promise any probability
Of throwing any light upon the subjects OF inquiry,
or any of them, have been diligently inquired into.
s'Your committee take pleasure i'll reporting that
so far us elective officers and their subordlnates are
concerned, very hDtieet4 anu hteAitt
have been observed. ana in the official conduct OF no
public officer, whether elective or appointed, has
corruption been disclosed.
Is not that pretty well said? What party can
show better record? From that time To this we
have had but one Republican legislature. What
Republican, or Republican Legislature has done
anything that had to be defended? Economy
in the public expenditures, honesty in
the public administration zeal in the
public service hats marked tc history OF our con-
trol of Ohio. Gov. Hayes, than whom Ohio never
had a better and glorious Tom Young. who put
down riots with Ohio men aud Ohio brains, while
poor old Gov. Blue Jeans was calling ir'uically
on the President for help In one breath, aud begging
for shipping permits for his relative in the next
No State government within the United States was
ever better administered than has been that OF ONO
under Republican rule. Under lis benehccnt con
troll, the grandest system OF State charities and
benevolent institutions III any State Of the MOrlL
grew an and became almost perfect IL toOk NJ
and fosere,l the institutions that have mnde Ohic
Dpople so proud OF their State. And when the WAY
was over the Republicans Of Ohio discharged thcr
solemn duty 10 the dead and living Sol'i.crS by
making generous provisions for the orphans OF the
war
The record OF Democratic administration in Ohio
is record alike prcudcia to the fair fame OF OHIO
and OF that party. append titbulated statement
of the total appropriations made by each state Leg
islature since and including 1870.
Democrat St2hls'l W
1871 Democrat IL. ........a.... i. .lSl2l -
1872 .. Repub ublitsiT...........-.-.. A.e'l so ~
lS7; .... RcpublicaiI............... a.lile9i 81.
s't'u
iSfO.. beiit 'ti'''-''''''--'' .t.'N''
heluDil''' t-''''t -
1871
Democratic. l4' - !"