The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-30
RINGING WORDS.
Eloquent Speech Of senator BOOth,
Of California, Delivered at sam
Francisco, Sept. III.


Francisco, Sept. Ill.
The nomination of Gen. Hancock for Presi-
dent by the Democratic party means one Of two
things conversion or hypocrisy change of
heart or an attempt to deceive. If it be the
frst-if this be the evidence Of sincere aban-
Comment Of old positions, what reason can that
party give for it's further existence2 Is it
necessary to call the Democratic party into pow
er to administer the Government on Republican
principles? The effrontery Of claim like this
would be sublime if it were not ridiculous. I
have heard an illustration which seems to me
apt: It is as if the prodigal son, when he had
returned to bis fathers house, and eaten the
fatted calf, should turn the old gentleman out
Of doors, demand deed to the farm, and insist
that nothing less would reconcile him and make
him forget the past unpleasantness
Ihave been trying to find an historical paral-
lei and have failed. History is often absurd,
but never, think, so absurd as that can
imagine one: During the war Of the American
Revolution there was a lage number of men in
this country who were sincerely opposed to the
independence Of the United States In some
sections they were in o majority. They were
called Tories, from their sympathy with the
then governing party in Great Britain. They
held themselves to be subjects of George III.
just as much as the great body of the people in
the Southern States from 81 to '65 held them
selves citizens of the Confederacy. They resisted
drafts, impeded the execution of the laws, en-
listed with the redcoats, and made the Revolu-
ton civil war-a war that divided neighbors
and families. Suppose the Tories had main
tanned distinct political organization after the
war closed, and had met in convention, resolved
that they stood by their principles, were proud
of their traditions, and that they were Of right
entitled to the possession and control of the
Government of the United States Suppose
they had nominated for President Gen. Gates,
soldier by profession, distinguished for his
services in the patriotic army :; and had said,
accept this as an olive branch-we admit the
United States are independent-giv us the con-
troll Of the Government to sooth our feelings :;
do it, or we shall be mad SO long as we live !;
and the longer we shall live the madden we'll
get-and you shall be responsible for the ami
mosities which have grown out of the war
Would that proposition be more absurd or pre-
posterous than that of the Democratic party
to-day. ... "
If it had not been for the Republican party
there would to-day have been no Government
of the United States to administer. I am not
speaking Of men, but Of political organizations.
IF there be any way in which to administer a
free government except through political par
ties it has not yet been discovered. For tho
past twenty years the Republican and Demo.
cratic parties have stood in bold, defiant ag.
these parties may agree or disagree upon meas
ures of temporary policy, the difference between
the parties as political organizations, in their
scope, tendency, spirit, is essential, radical,
fundamental 1 repeat, and enlarge the state
ment, that we have Government of the United
Gtotn rs hat y,
ic-the first great republic in history where no
man calls another master-is due, under Provi-
dence, to the organization which will be known
and honored in history forever as the Republi-
can party There may come time to parties
as there often does to men, time Of trial,
the burning light OF day. After that professions
and hypocrisy are useless to conceal. Nothing
but the grave can cover infrmity.
The Democratic party has passed such an or
deal, and the highest boon it can rightfully ash
Is the charity Of oblivion. The only mercy il
ought to expect is forgetfulness
We are nation 100000 strong. That w
shall remain a nation, one, undivided indivisi
BILE, there can be no doubt. No Englishma1
doubts there will always be an England for the
English no German doubts there will always
be a Germany for the Germans there will al
ways be France for the French. That there
will always be an America for Americans that
due to the Republican party. What the Gov
eminent of the country shall below it shall
be adminstered-is q question of only less i'm
portance than its continued existence. The
problems of law, administration and polio,
which are constantly arising in a Government
like ours are complicated and difficult. No on
can understand them all in detail. What WI
are required to understand is the spirit in which
they are to be met and solved.
No dsinterested man, if there be such
will seriously contend that the Government
would be better administered under Democratic
than under Republican control that it's deal
ings with foreign nations would be more jus
and enlightened that its credit would be bette
maintained that its debts would be more rap
idly paid that it would be better protecte'
from the vague, vast, portentous mass o
Southern war claims which hang owe
it like a cloud. Surely no one will CLAIM
that the spirit of the Democratic party i
more in harmony. with social order, and tina
orderly progress of society which comes Of eve
luton, not revolution, than the Republican. N
one, however prejudiced, will claim that thos
personal rights which all government is or
dained to protect-free speech, equality befor
the law, the security of each in the enjoymen
Republican control. No one, whatever his cor
dition may be, will dare assert that the Amer
can idea of government, personal liberty, an
national union, center and circumference,
safer under Democratic than Republican cor
troll.
Pause for moment Go back in your memo
ries to the sad, bitter day when the joy of vic
tory was turned to tears, and the sweet dawn c
peace was clouded by the death of Lincoln
Did ever nation confront graver problems
more complicated difficulties, more serious daI
gers than ours did then? The questions OF
fathers met in the establishment of Cover,
ment, after the achievement of independents
were far less difficult. The War of the Revolt
ton, itself, welded the people into one tt
War of the Rebellion discovered them. TT
Government of eleven States had been d
stroyed, and the people of these States we
animated with hatred for the Union, whic
was intensified by defeat. The actual pover
Of the South was scarcely less to be deplore
than the fictitious, inflated, speculative pro
perity of the North was to be feared in its ult
mate effect. A currency fluctuating from d,
to day demoralized business into speculation
degraded it into gambling. debt so vast
could scarcely be estimated, and behind it
mass of claims too vague and vast for defi1
ton. A credit Frustrated until it was by-wo
and reproach.
Confronting these questions, between ord
and anarchy, civil government and militia
y rule, payment and reputation, with namele
and countless complications of settlement
the moment of supreme civil peril, our chos
leader, whose character, exalted to the highe
plane of humanity, made him worthy to we