The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-06-19


sections, and the republic established upon q
broad, sure, firm foundation .ss@
Mr. chairman, / think this effort to break
down the national election laws is to be deeply
regretted. I have no disposition to stir up sec
tional strife; have had no disposition to excite
sectional animoslties During my term OF SER
| vice in this House l have abstained from any
thing of that kind. but the people of the North
| will look upon this action on the part of the
Democratic majority as an attempt to
get control of elections by fraud
| and by violence when necessary fol
that purpose I have evidence every day
from the section Of country where I live that
such is the feeling there. and it is growing day
1t is most unfortunate, too. that the Demo
cratic party having beenlout of power since
the beginning of the late Rebellion should, on
coming back to power in the Legislative depart
ment, as one of Its very first acts attempt to
destroy all national authority over national
elections; should revive again the old doctrines
and opinions as to State rights which I bad
hoped were exploded and the question settled,
and settled forever, by the blood of many bat
tle-felds, that this was nation and clothed
with full and ample power to preserve and per-
petuate itself, and especially that in the effort to
accomplish its purposes it should assume a
revolutionary attitude and should say, I'VE
have the power now in our hands, and if you do
not graciously accept what we propose We will
make, no appropriations We will stop the
wheels of the Government" This will not do,
Mr. Chairman; the party has put itself in the
wrong, and has shown the people that it is not
worthy Of their confidence. 81
Mr.. Chairman, a few words more and l am
donea Since have occupied seat upon the
floor of this House have sat- and oftentimes
impatiently, and heard the most violent de-
tnunciations of the Republican party 1t has
been charged with frauds; it has been charged
with corruption; it has, been charged with
gross violations Of the constitution, which
its patriotism preserved and maintained
In fact, it has been charged with ev7
cry political crime, and one would
suppose to hear these denunciations from time
to time that the history of the party was full of
oppression, of usurpaiono Of injustice and
". ong; that it, had trampled under foot the
liberties of the people, and had forfeited the
respect and confidence OF all good, liberty low
ing citizens 4 aar.nY.-rf. m,,ne.4t,,,g E,
~ Mr. Chairman, it has been my pride and
pleasure to belong to the Republican party
since it's first organization. It was born, sir,
out of q love of liberty and opposition to human
bondage !. 1t came into power to find the hand
of rebellion raised against the republic. It had
,graver duties to discharge and responsibilities
to meet than any other party that ever existed
in the country. During four years Of bitter,
unrelen6ng, cruel war it administered the
Government with an unfaltering patriotism.
1T, brought the country safely through all
the perils and dangers that threatened it. 1t
extended human liberty. and secured the civil
and political rights of every citizen by consti-
tutional amendments. No party ever made
grander and nobler history, and if the people
Of this great, free Government are only true
to their love of liberty the luster Of it's great
deeds will go down undimmed through the
ages. -.+
I know the financial legislation of the party
has been severely condemned by gentlemen on
the other side and by the Nationals" but,
Mr.. Chairman, when we consider that when the
party. came into power it found an empty
treasury aud an impaired public credit; that it
had to raise immense sums of money to- meet
the extraordinary expenses Of the war and
maintain y the public credit; when we
remember that this has been done, that
our public debt has been funded at
lower rates of interest than ever be-
fore known in the history OF our country,
and that we have been brought back to sound
and reliable currency, assert, Mr.. Chairman,
that the financial legislation OF. the Republican
party has, in my Judgment been such as to ex-
cite the admiration of, the world, No., Mr.
Chairman l love the Republican party. re-
gard it as the party of freedom and progress.
It has proven it's patriotism and it's devotion to
the rights and liberties of the people, and I
trust that it will be maintained by them as the
best and surest hope OF the republic. ...,..