The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-08-07
THE FIRST GUN /!
Ewing's Speech at
the Ratification Meeting.

General Ewing's Speech mt
the Ratification Meeting.
On the evening of June 26th ratifca-
ton was held at the west front of the State
House in Columbus. An enormous crowd,
much larger than that at the Foster meet
ing, gathered at an early hour. Senator
Irvine DUNCAN held the people for a few
moments previous to Gen. Ewing 8 appear
ance at half-past eight. The latter was
greeted with prolonged applause, and being
introduced by Judge ]. 81. Anderson, Of
Columbus, spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF GENERAL, EWING.
FELLow-CITfzENs: I thank you for
this most cordial welcome to Columbus.
My friend Amos Townsend, of Cleveland,
was SO generous as to pair with me for two
days, and this gives me an opportunity to
meet the State Central Committee here,
and the nominees of the Democratc State
ticket, and to advise with them as to the
organization of the political campaign.
do not respond to your call tonight
Will dlly DuIkOeSC W CltUOIdbC1y ot<Alc OI CA
pound the issues between the political
parties of Ohio. The Democratic platform
needs no interpreter. It defines the issues
presented by our party in plain English,
without EVASION or equovcatim. No man,
whatever his position on the ticket or in the
party, has, night when speaking in its
name to add word to or subtract word
from that platform. 1t may go too far on
ko
Gratis; 1t may fall short of The views of
others; but it is the deliberate exposition of
the issues of this campaign On which the
Democracy of Ohio have chosen to ask the
endorsement of the people. It declares for
the Democratic idea of local self-govern-
ment which is part of the warp and woof of
the Constitution, and for a financial policy
demanded alike by the interests and the
convictions Of a vast majority of the Amen-
can people. ,''.i's-..i- - l.ei'1
Not only are these issues Of transcend
ant importance, but the decision of the
people of Ohio upon them Will be of con-
trolling effect. ei9. - -
/ The fight this year is a fight for position
in the great battle Of 1880. The forces on
each side are so evenly balanced that
whichever party secures Ohio has point of
advantage which will probably turn the
tide of battle in its favor. i q
shall enter on the canvass fully realiz-
ing the popularity, ability and capacity for
organixatisn of the Distinguished gentle
men who heads the Republican ticket, and
the mighty power Of wealth, privilege, pat
Tonage and plunder which will be arrayed
against us. But confident of the TRIUMPH
Of constitutional government and popular
rights, shall obey the voice winch called
me to the front, and aided by others ab!er
than myself. will submit our great cause
to the considerate Judgment OF the people.
IF The Republican press has been busy Tor
weeks with assertions of wrangling and dis
traction in the tents of the Democracy on
the eve of the great battle. Torn with
jealonsies themselves, they imagine us to
.9uany @ u,s.... ~ nss I.as.a e ene11 WE 1so
II = tley e Isan, rs M 1as. none = asSp W. E e
lpt nssn'ln$ 1ol = tnz.n " e t<s.lvu, ous ~.
. cause. ns. sot Ins s',h. h.iHrn.s u en- D u I.ss
Patnouc masses ana leaais q me Oem1, y,
c1a'y ol Unl3 Mn.n n aSss.. saa. on1 anu ~ y
tney ieel tlas: u Hs ~ soates. l.ie snD1.oa =
popular noerues LOT winch we are conteno,
ing. Inc nonoceo any Iusseoo iea'oers g
the party, m once anaioet u 9pce, are Y
: ~
OF tnem wout0 tnink or oeefadng mmseH
OF lmPel,nng tne cause ~ an unu"ely
sun&gie 1or personal agggIEanaizement. nc
we plopose e :aa:s - sllis es''aP Ps.'sn
cam, earnest ca p RatrloHc appeai 70 tne PEG
PIE OF Umo. we eapecs 20 sno" men
tnat wnatever may nave Deen !, tne serv1ct .V,
OF tne nePaoncan Paacy IN sne past s .ns
materiai in1e,est oe tne Mnsses' anu tns a1
| 66IoGY OF lOC8l- BcJl-R0V6t014c8t alike UC
mano cnahee OF AaARlstIa1on. nll41 81 sS Gs -,
Parry tna3 evsl .ea..go .as p cIS;a nave Ie.. ss.
power as long as ne 4sePup11ieAa parry ny
neia II w11nous. aes..mehsI 70 sne Puos,, =,
welfare. IL y nign une Ler Gnange. 81 =
can be Tor tne worse. Wall certainiy
be tor the better. l..'i1a.I =. 20 = =
| The Republican party emerged from ths
war amid the plaudits Of vast majority d
the people of the North But with Lincoln
ASSASSINATION and johnson political murde,
| il lost popular. leadership, and fen into tht
hands and under the controlEnot of tht
men who bore the heat and burden of the
war-but Of money aristocraey which grew
and fattened on their sacrifices. It turned
its back to the soldiers and its face to the
lbondholders. It -conf;scated the interests d
1.-THE masses. and piled mountain high ths
fortunes of a favored few. Fearing to sub
INIT its finance measures to the Judgment q
Ethe people. it enacted them in secret
1shunned the popular discussion of them
and blinded the people with passion anf
prejudice on false Issues invented to deceiv'
them. Ten wears have passed since all tn
lconstitutional amendments, and all the leg
islation adopted or propoeed by Republican
party to secure the results Of the war, hass
tbeen inscribed on our statute books, ad
ministered by our Courts, aid iacquiescedi Il
by the whole people. But sectional distrust
] prejudice and passion are still ket,t alive bs
that party-not for your good, fellow-cih
1 zens-not for the security of the tqlim,
/ millions. black or white. North or South
hnt solely for marty advantase.. The Re
nnblican marty has thus become the foe o
thaA restnred. harmonious and prosperou