Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-25
SPEECH OF HON. W. s. GR0EsBEOK

CLIFTON, O., Sept. 17.-Hon. w. S.
Groesbeck delivered an address here
this evening OH the political ques-
tions of the time. He opened by pro-
pounding the question Chow shall
we vote at the approaching prssiden-
tial election ?" and salde
Before l proceed to answer this i'll
ouiry, let me say word about par
ties. In all civilized nations where
political liberty is allowed to the |
people, you may find TWO leading |
forces in constant mOvement-one
representing Capitalization, the other
representing individualism. We
have these two forces in our govern
ment. We shall always have them,
and this being so, it is of the utmost
importance that both should be kept
in a sound conservative condition.
If either of them is overwhelmed or
loses its vitality, the other unhinder-
ed and uninterrupted in the use of
power, will be sure to become des-
potic or disorderly. This may be
prevented by interchanging the ad-
ministration between them, ami this
interchange should take place, when-
ever either party by beng too long
i'll power, loses its conservatism
and becomes dangerous. | have no
more faith i'll the permanent party
ascendancy than have in perpetual
presidency.
This brings me to the question.
| How should we vote at the approach
ing presidential election3 Has the
time come when it.wOuld be well to
change the administration, and can 1t
he done with safety and advantage!
What of the parties ? But let me tor
a moment refer TO their platforms.
The last republican platform is ex-
traordinary. 1t is chiefly historical
1t may be entitled: 1.-The veritable
adventures or performances of the
republican party during the last
twenty years, published by authority
of its national convention, A. D..
$780," The narration is as remark
atle as the adventures of Munchau-
sen, and more wonderful. 1t tells US
that the republican party during all
that time has poured upon us a con-
tinual shower of blessings and good
ness, and never anything bad !; for
there is no badness in it. 1t has done
only those thing which it ought to
have done, and left undone those
things which it ought not TO have
done, and it has been our help and
salvation. 1t has caused the sun to
rise every day without all omis-
sion, and the rain to fall, and the
wheat, corn, cotton and all other
staples to grow and ripen, and car
ing tenderly for its own household
aud the dear people, it has blighted
the harvest of all other nations aud
compelled them to bring over their
gold and silver to buy corn and other
products i'll our Egypt, and so it has
enriched us very abunds ntly. Any
democrat who dares to question this
is traitor to his country. PrOvi-
dence had nothing to do with it, for
ever since the republican party has
come into power there has been no
need of Providence. During these
twenty years, every republican officer
has beeh fairly and unquestionabiy
elected, and all of them have done
just right in their official conduct.
There have been no wastfulness, no
frauds or speculations or whisky
rings, or any evil whatsoever. All
has been perfection. The narrative
part of the platform closes signif'
cantly as follows: "Upon this re-
cord the republican party asks for the
continued confidence aud support OF
the people" No quack medicine
soliciting further patronage was evel
more eXtravGgantly advertised.
What of the democratic platform
: 1t has the great excellence of brevity
Now, what of the parties? What Of
their policy and tendencies, and has
the time come when we should
change the administration Shall
We change the recent constitutional
amendments? Not at all. Let me
give you the language Of Hancock OIL
this subject: "The thirteenth, four
teenth and fifteenth amendments tC
the constitution of the United States
embodying the results of the war fol
the Union, are inviolable. If called
to the presidency, | should deem it
my duty to resist with all my power
any attempt to impair or evade the
full force and effect of the constitu
ton, which in every article, section
. and amendment, is the supreme Law
of the land" There could be NJ
stronger utterance than this, ant
Hancock will be true to it. lie woult
be cOnspicuously constitutions
president. Let me make an an
nouncement just here, which may
starte some of you. 1t IS this: If
E movement is ever made hereafter tt
| limit or restrict negro suffrage or ali!
e other suffrage, that movement will
r come from the republican party, ant
it will be resisted by the democrati,
psrty. We cannot prophesy, but WI
may foresee. [ am not speaking
carelessly. There has been alread!
III our short history one movemen
to limit the suffrage: it came from
what is now called republicanisu
and was defeated by the democracy
There may be other movements it i
, not improbable. They will all com
. from the same quarter and be met b,
the same opponent. The attitude o
d The republican party OH this subjec C
+ Just now is but momentary and for
j. present advantage. Democracy is tn
permanent home of universal sui
d trage. Shall we pull down what i
f now standing? Not at all. Ou
: purpose is to preserve rather. than t.
destroy.
Shall we change our money sys
n tenn There has been great confusion
: and instability i'll both parties OIL thi
. subject. AT last they seem to stan,
IN about the same position and il
favor OF coin and paper money con
e vertlble into coin. That is the nutura
e and historical position of the demo
cratic party, and it will be main
: tanned.
Shall we change the TARIFF Yes
shall we destroy it! No. 1t will b
y y happy time for the people, when al
d The nations can adopt the policy 0
free trade, but, however we may de
sire it, ii is not tor this generation o
$ the next to hope to reach it. Heavi.
s Indebted as we are, and requiring
d large sum TO meet aCcruing iutrres
,, and deiray the yearly expenses Q
ihe government, we must obtain
J chiefly from this source. The state
e are already burdened by their ow
% systems of taxation and could no
/ take upon themselves, certainly no
ut the present time, the heavier bul
Is Gcn OF supporting the general gov
n ernment. The change that shoul
1t be made is Indicated III the platforI
, of the democratic party. Avoidin
p"r;ialities and fuvoritism AS unfai
70 and forbidden by the constitution