River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-02

by Hon. John Sherman at Portland, Me-,
on July 23d:
FELLOW CITIZENS, / aescepted the invitation Of
your distinguished senator to speak in the state
Of Maine during my brief vacation from official
duties, mainly that ] might present to you the
mode by which, in spite o. much opposition,
United States notes have been advanced to par IN
coin, and some reasons WY these notes ought
hereafter to be redeemed in coin at the demand of
the holder, instead of being, as formerly, ire
deemable, deprecated, and dishonored. You will
naturally expect me, as public officer, to speak
mainly this and kindred financial topics con-
nected with my official duties.
But before doing so. permit me to say that there
are questions involved in our political contest this
fall m re important than those OF hard money or
soft money, reenbacks or bank-notes.
REVIVAL OF GID 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 present the resent revival
by the Democratic party of the southern doctrine
Of states rights This doctrine has been the evil
genius of American politics. II was born OF hos
fifty to the q lion. 1t was the bulwark of Amer
lean slavery. 1t poisoned and estranged large
section of the country. Under the name CT seces
sion, il led to the late rebellion, and aimed to
destroy the Union by an open armed conflict with
the national government. Every life was sacrinced,
and the treasure that was wasted in that war,
the bitter fruits of this doctrine
Now it takes the form OF nulf catiou- not multi
ication by etate officers when General jackson
tbrottled it, but notification by members OF con-
gress the sworn agents and officers of the general
government. These officers would surrender
essential powers OF the national government,
nulli6y its laws, cripple 1t in executing
its conceded powers, and make it con-
federate tnstead of national government. In the
arrogance of their power one of their leaders de-
cared that it was the T fixed purpose to wipe out
every V, 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 honest election Of members Of congress
"a law passed in pursuance of plain provision of
the constitution, declared by Mr.. Madison to be
!
a law which has been sanctioned by eight years OF
practical execution, which has been appealed to
by both parties, w.ose constiuionality has never
been disputed in the courts, and which is the only
guard provided by congress to protect citizens Of
the United States in the elective franchise. The
mt vement for multiplying this law made posi-
BILE by 'funited south,' united by terror, yio-
lence, an fraud, and by crimes that disgrace our
civiz alton. Over the white men of the south,
who were willing TO aequlesce in the results o. the
war the "united south y practiced social ostra-
cisn and violence. Over the poor blacks, whose
| lights granted, and as we foolishly thought
sufficiently secured by the constitution, 1t tramp
| led with midnight murder and masquerade, AMI
last year it capped the climax by election frauds
| more shameful than the ballot box stunning and
repeating of Tweed ard his infamous ring IN 1868.
| Several members Of congress who were confess
sedly elected by tissue-ballot box stuthnR, the
meanest form of crime agslnst the eeeuVe iran
4 chise, participated in refusing the neces-
| sary appropriations for the support OF the gov
ernment unless the president would app rove the
repeal of the election laws. When, by the nrm-
| -
pbiect they sought by conditions in appropriation
bills 10 compel him to agree to nnlfy laws IN Vio-
| lation 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 are now poweriess to
enforce their DEGREES, or to serve process, or 10
keep the peace, unless the n.arshas serve W thout
| the nav fixed by law. In this way majority OF
either house may nullify any law and destroy the
| government. We thought all ef such doemas were
Sverthrown by the amendments to the constitution.
| such policy, if sanctioned, will nuilify the
/ amer dment and is more dangerous than secession
or state null cation 1t is revolution and anarchy.
The evident purpose of those now dominating
1 in the Democratic party is TO beilttle ana
degrade the national government, to
elevate proyincialism above natonalism, to
| weaken The tie that binds this vast conn
| try into nation, so that the winds and waves OF
faction may beat upon it and shatter it.. General
| Wade Hampton is reported to have said that be
| does not care whether the candidates are hard
4 money or softmoney so they are Democrats.
| few Df mocrats from the norta, elected upon any
4 false issue or artsfee whatever, give them, with
the solid south, the control of the electoral college
/ and OF the senate and house. Through the caucus,
conducted in secret, and controlled always by tne
most violent men, IN which the solid south has the
4 majority they hope to rue this whole country,
and ID and mine al the strong foa dations OF the