The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-04-17
The Campaign Opened in Monon.
galia-H0n. d. b. Lucas
Speech.

|
the people Of this county, at the
Court House, on Monday, April II,
| 1880. The address was scholarly,
manly and straightforward exposition
of the effects of Republican suprem-
acy, and the duty the Democrats owe
to the country. The eloquent speak
ef showed that by fostering and per-
petuating Democratic principles
alone could we hope to remain free
men. Mr.. Lucas contrasted the pc
litical schools of the early days Of
our country, following the effects of
the teachings of both down to the
present. The one led by Hamilton,
the other by the immortal Jefferson.
The one the adherent of Federalistic
or Strong Government doctrine, the
other the champion Of American
liberty and the rights of the people.
With Hamilton and his party, but
with more vicious and more extreme
ideas, stand to-day the lordly leaders
of Republicanism-Grant, Sherman,
Conkling, Blaine and the like. With
Jefferson and his tenets, shoulder to
shoulder, are the bright lights of
Democracy, fighting the same cause
that he fought-popular rights, the
freedom of the people, our constitu
tional government with it's first prn-
ciple, "That the people are the source
of all power" The New England
ideas of to-day were identified with
those of Adams and Hamilton in
1901 and meant stronger government,
coercion, and finally Imperialism.
To these the Democratic party is OPP
posed, and in the spirit of our con-
stitutional fathers we stand upon the
Bill of Rights which declares "That
no free government or the blessings
Of liberty can be preserved to any
people but by a firm adherence to
justice, moderation, temperance, fru-
gality and virtue, and by frequent
recurrence to fundamental princi-
ples.' No student of history or
close observer of the tendencies of
popular opinion of to-day,as it comes
from press, pulpit and rostrum, can
deny that we have pressing need at
this time for a speedy recurrence to
the important theories that underlie
our constitution, and must be its
preservative against all attack. That
Grant, the head of what might be
called the monarchial spirit of the
age, will be the next Presidential
nominee of the Republican party, is
beyond doubt. The fiat has gone
forth, and Logan and his brothers in
Radicalism but await his election,
that they may, like the Roman trium-
virate, divide the Government among
them as the reward of their success.
That he is regarded by the leaders
of his party as the coming man, and
is the representative of American
imperialism, Mr.. Lucas quoted from
Henry Ward Beecher, who in reply
to toast of our country declared
"That he was in favor of Grant, and
for third, fourth, fifth and sixth
term if the people required it, also
the Duke of Argyle, recent visitor
to our country, and philosophical
student of our history, who said,
probably never having read Demo
cratic paper, 81 do not think the peo-
pie could do better than to place
Grant in the White House and keep
him there by successive elections, if
need be, for the remainder of his
life, and if you once place him in
power again, what will you gain by
removing him." Conkling at Utica
declared "That he was for Grant be-
cause people had so much confidence
in him that they would not fear rev.
olution." And if the idea of these
men is carried out, as it is plainly
the scheme of ring to do, with
Grant twenty-four years in the White
House or Palace-fourteen wears
longer than Cromwelrs protectorate,
nineteen years longer than Caesars
consulship-what would prevent the
Crown Prince Frederick from assum-
ing hereditary honors as did Crom-
wells successors. The danger lies
right here. Republicanism to-day
means Grantism, and Grantism
means strong government and impe-
rialism, to defeat which is the mis-
sion of the Democratic party. That
end can never be accomplished by
divided organization-unapimity,
enterprise and combined strength
v,,xo+ ,,11.rk H. NJ.