The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-10-16

Following is the able address delivered
by Hon. John Sherman at Portland, Me-,
on July 23d:
FELL Nv CITIZENS: accepted the invitation of
your distinguished senator to speak in the state
of Maine during my brief vacation from official
duties, mainly that I might present to you the
mode by which, in spite of much opposition
United States notes have been advanced to par In
coin, and some reasons why these notes ought
hereafter to be redeemed in Din at the demand of
the holder instead of being, as formerly, ire
dee nable, deprecia ed, and dishonored. You will
naturally expect me, as public officer, to speak
mainly on this and kindred financial topics con-
nected with my Off 5ial duties.
But before doing so, permit me to say that there
are questions involved in political contest this
fall m re important than those of hard money or
soft money, Erean5acks or bank-notes.
REVIVAL OF OLD ISSUES.
If felt at liberty to choose the theme most i'm
portant to you and to the Whole people of the
United States would pres ent thu recent revival
by the Democratic party of the sou hern doctrine
Of states rights. This doctrine has been the evil
genius of American politics. 1t born of hos
t1llty to the U zion. 1t the bulwark of Amer
! lean slavery. 1t poisoned and estranged large
section of the country. Under the name of seces
sion, it led to the late rebellion, and aimed to
destroy the Union by an open armed conflict with
the national government. Every life was sacrificed,
and the treasure that was wasted in that war; were
the bitter fruits of this doctrine
Now it takes the form of nullifcation-not nulli-
hcation by state officers as when General Jackson
throttled it, but notification by members of con-
gress the sworn agents and off oers of the general
government. These officers would surrender
! essential powers of the national government
nullihy its laws, cripple it in executing
its conceded powers, and make it a con-
| federate instead of national government In the
arrogance of their power of their leaders de-
AIRED that it was their fixed purpose to wipe out
every " stige of war legislation.
Their chief effort in the last two sessions of con-
gress has been to nullify law of congress provid-
ing for an honest election of members of congress
"a law passed in pursuance of plain provision of
| the constitution, declared by Mr.. Madison to be
essential to the preservation of the government;
a law which has been sanctioned by eight years of
practical execution, which has been appealed to
by both parties, whose consttutionality has never
been disputed III the courts, and which is the only
guard provided by congress to protect citizens of
the Quilted Sta-es in ths elective franchise The
m vement for multiplying this law was made posi-.
| BILE by united SOUTH" united by terror, vio-
fence, and fraud, and by crimes that disgrace our
civiiz alton. Over the white men of the south,
VINO were willing to acquiesc3 in the results OF the
war, the "united south " practiced social ostra-
cisn and violence. Over the poor blacks whose
rights were granted, and as we foolishly thought
sufficiently secured by e'constituton, it tramp
led with midnight murder and masquerade, an
last year it capped the climax by election frauds
| more shameful than the ballot box stufhing and
repeating of Tweed and his infamous ring in 1868.
| Several members of congress who were confess
sedly elected by tssue-ballot- box stuffing, the
mGanoSG 10TH OF crime against the GeCtlV5 fran
chise, participated in refusing the neces-
sary appropriations for the support of the gov
eminent unless the president would apl rove the
| repeal of the election laws. When by the firm
ness of the president, they failed in their main
object, they sought by conditions in appropriation
bills to compel him to agree to nullfy laws vio-
Iation of his oath of Office.
| When the president again defeated this scheme
by his veto they refused to appropriate money to
enforce the judicial mandates of the government,
and the United States courts now powerless to
enforce their DEGREES, or to serve process, or to
keep the peace, unless the marshas serve without
the pay fixed by law. In this way a majority of
either house may nullify any law and destroy the
government We thought all of such dogmas were
overthrown by the amendments to the constitution,
Such policy, if sanctioned, will nullify the
amendment, and is more dangerous than secession
or state null icaton 1t is revolution and anarchy
| The evident purpose of those now dominating
in the Democratic party is to belittle ana
degrade the national government, to
| elevate provncialism above nationalism, to
weaken the tie that binds this vast com
| try into nation, SO that the winds and waves of
f action may beat upon it and shatter it, General
/ Wade hampton is reported to have said that he
| does not care whether the candidates are hard
money sott-money, they Democrats.
| few Democrats from the NORTH, elected upon any
false issue artifiee whatever, give them, with
the solid SOUTH the control of the electoral college
| and of the senate and house. Through the caucus,
conducted in secrTt, and controlled always by the
most violent man, in which the solid south has the
| majority, they hope to rule this whole country,
and sap and mine all the strong fou dations of the