The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-03-27
GEN. JOHN M. PALMER.

mcr Club ut Springfield does us an acccpla.
bic favor in sending a copy Of the speech of
Gen. Palmer at the first formal meeting of the
club. The meeting was held in the old state
house and was large and enthusiastic We have
not space to copy the speech, which would I'LL
four or five Of our columns, but find it such an
admirable presentation Of the issues OF 1850
that we shall try very briefly to indicate its
LEADING points The issues of 1850 Gen. i.
maintains, involve the existence of con~titu-
uonal free government on this continent They
present the broad question whether local self
government shall be maintained or whether
we shall have "A central dcspotism like Russia.
The democrats are on the side of the former in
Icontcndug for the maintenance Of the conStI-
Ituuonal rights of the states and limitations up
on the power of the federal government; the
republicans are on the side of the lattcrn con
tending for a strong government which shalt
possess practically unlimited power. The for
mer is democracy, the latter is all comprehend
ed under the name "Grantsm" And "it Is of
small consequence to the democratic party,'
says Gen. Palmer, "who may be selected by
the republican party as their candidate for the
presidency. Grant cmbodics their theory that
hereafter the president is TO be aruer, charged
with the executive functions of a strong gov
eminent, VINO may perpctuate his own power
by successive elections, instead Of being amag,
istrate, as heretofore, the minister and servant
of the constitution and the laws, whose tenure
is limited ineXorably to two terms of service.
Grant. Blame, Sherman or Washburn- which
ever is nomlnated-will represent the same
dangerous theories, and the election of either
Will effect for those theories permanent lodg.
ment in our political system"
The only honest thing therefore the repub-
| licans can do is to nominate Grant
| With Grant COnccalmcnt and evasion would
be impossible, and his nomination alone would
render platforms not only superfluous but ri.
dculous. He embodies IN his own life and
character, IN his conduct and opinions in his
military achievements and his civil admins
Itration, in his tOndness for power and his in
difference Unpopular rights and constitutional
RUE, all there is of partisan rcpublicanism
HIS nomination would tender to the democrat
ic party rugged propositions for the subsan-
tial abandonment Of all the past principles of
the government As well rs its most salutary
traditions
| 1t would he 10 propose a practically unlim
tied tenure for the presidential office, the abro
cation of all Independent state authority and
the assumption by the central government of
all possible political power.
1t would be to CLAIM for the federal govern
ment all power not expressly prohibited to it
by the constitution, and to offer to place the
rights and liberties of the heretofore tree peo-
pie of the United States IN the hands of the
president and congress without other security
for their preservation and protection than the
uncontrolled will Of the men for the time be
ing in power
| After these doctrines are well established the
strong man will but have to grasp the exeCu-
tive functions of the government and the en-
pre is established.
The mission of the democratic party is to
meet and combat these destructive heresies
and rally the country in support of the lber-
ties ofthe people upon the canons ofits ancient
faith, national government created by free
states, united in bond of perpetual indsso-
luble union, possessed of ample power for all
national purposes; government created by a
constitution which carefully defines its uthor.
ity, granting all needful national powers, and
reservlng all others to the states and the peo-
! pie; powers that have been found sufficient to
insure the flag Of the republic honor and re
tspect on every sea, whitened by the sails OF
commerce, and IN every port where it tlutters
IN the breeze; powers adequate to the defence
of the country against foreign enemies and do
nestle foes, but which cannot be rightfully
employed to Cypress the people, nor be brought
states"
An impressive and iorcIblc part of Gen.
Palmers speech is that in which. combating
| the demand of Grantlsm for strong central
government on the grounds of It's necessity for
seltdcience, he shows that il was not the fed
eral government but the states that saved the
Union from overthrow by the rebellion 1t was
not until the southern states themselves had
been stripped of Independent power by the So
called confederate government that they ceased
their patriotic resistance to disunion and it
was Nv the independent action of the northern
states alone that the first assaults of the rebel
| lion were successfully met and repealed The
rebellion, in point of fact, found the general
government without resources and credit, and
the patriotic efforts of the states gave courage
10 Mr.. Lincoln amid the dishcartening scenes
around him, and tidcd the national govern
ment to grounds of safety until its resources
could be collected and organized and employ
ed 10 defend ITS own existence. And yet" en-
claims Gen F., I'VE are told by political scio;
lists and knayes who want some Office, that
the states, which, by their patriotic energy
saved the union, destroyed themselves, and
ernmen; of the nation, and their people no
longer Ia hc trusted are Ia be watched and