The daily gazette., 1880-07-03

Tallahassee and New Orleans to protect
three boards Of canvassing officers in a
deliberate perversion of the results of
popular election
What was the course of the two
great parties of the country at that
timer 1t is fearful thing to live I'M
der government that we do not re-
spect. The Democratic party looked
upon the shameful work of fraud and
force. What was to be done? Before
went to Washington-and sadder
man never went there (cry of "God
bless your" and applause)-I was anx-
ious to know how a merciful God
would enable us to escape the over
hanging cloud. .t
The tribunal to purge the election
of its frauds was decided upon. Pa
triotic representatives did not ask
whether that act was popular or not,
but determined that confusion should
not come upon the land if their
straightforwardness and tenacity of
purpose would prevent it. The whole
country was relieved of the apprehen-
sion of confusion. l am opposed
to everything that tends to perpetuate
government in disregard of the peo-
pie. What argument did General
Grant ,isep The only one he ever knew
and ever obeyed--the bayonet. When
we were assembled celebrating for a
peaceful result, not in Mexican fashion
of upsetting, but in the American fash
ion of reasoning. what was the course
of the administrati M To assist? Oh,
no. One third of the army was in that
city and more than one-half of it with
in twelve hours journey, and in the
event of any dis urbauce, the govern
ment Yves to be seized and held. Where
was General Garfield then, and what
was his attitude and language? He
said,-and, there is no reason to doubt
the language attributed to him-"We
have the army, we have the navy, we
have the treasury and the executive.
Ii you had such cards wouldn't you
pay them?" Gambling with the desti-
ny of the nation.
When the electoral bill came up De-
fore the House of Representatives,
where was Garfield in relation to it?
When and my associates we're franz
ing this measure Of peace, when thir-
teen Of the fourteen members of the
committee signed the report in favor
of the bill-all except Senator Morton,
who preferred confusion in order that
the Republican administration might
retain its power-Garfeld used all his
fine powers against this measure, de-
claring it had no warrant under the
constitution. And afterwards he went
on the commission and took an oath to
support the provisions Of this law. l
say that if for the last four years you
have lived in peace, and been at liber-
ty to attend to yonr daily avocations,
do not thank the men who would have
referred the mailed hand of U. S.
Grant to take hold of the Government
in 1877, instead of the lawful govern
ment we have at least lived under
Which is the party that prefers lawful
arbitration to military seizure? Gar
fields record shows that he upheld all
the illegal and arbitrary acts that
promised to prolong power in the
hands of his party. Look to his record
and see how lie has voted. There is
not question, in which he has not
held up the hands of those who exalt-
ed the military above the civil power.
Now, all this we propose to end by
placing In power a man who, though a
di t>nguished soldier, never forget that
HIS cit nship was higher title.
The Ric Of HoDeock Is that the civil
power Is aUul . the military. Sectionalism
should MT be allowed as party cry.
What is C lied the bloody shirt must be
folded up forever, and the American
people should be brought together as one
people, with on governments and with
equal tight and affection towards il.
These are lrgical results and he has been
tried. II, as a Major General, he has
done this, would he do OF her wise as Pres
ident? Rememi er that Hanc 10 only
earned his great r, n W by refusing ar
bitrary power when offered him, but he
also incHrred the aniInosi:y of those
whose purposes he refused 10 carry out
and who could make his position Ia the
army an uncomfoi table one. Uafouu.
nately, there has been too much Of this
partisan feeling In the a, my amt the navy,
and men to gain promotion have had to
do SO at the expense of independ nee
and bV covering themselves with artisan
clothing,
1t is this spirit that is dangerous to the
army, TO the navy aud TO us all. When
this spirit the spirit of Sheiidan's dis
patch prevails, why then, indeed, the
army changes from being the beloved
servants OF Ihe nation into very great
danger.
ID Hsncock ls.more than a true soldier.
As citizens he values his right and
power above his right and power rs a
soldier. If you ask me why love Han
cock l say because / know that with him
the liberty of thy country VIII be safe.
(Applause and cheers.l He has proved
it. His life is to-day the most b:illiant
example 0nterrupting voice away back
in the crowd: "Except yourself that we
lave among our mill 'ary men. i do not
say that there none so brave, so able AZ
he, but do say that none have been 80
tried as he and proved himself 10 possess
the lofty self-controI which induced the
laying down of power at the command
Of conscience. This Is why i claim he
sboudlbe sustained all over the land.
NV friends, bid you good night /
have tried to meet this question fairly.
It may be remarked that we have always
talked against military pswer aud yet
have taken up military man. We ad-
uire his gallantry and honesty, but
Hancock is not only soldier, but he Is
a man. a citizen, mbued with q knowl-
edge of what citizenship should be In a
goyernment of law. Nay, there Is an
other reason; there are many reasons,
hut LET me state one more. There has
been great outcry IN the North that the
Southern people were antagonistic to the
Northern, and hated the government.
Now 1t seems to me that this bubble must
be pricked, With a solid South for
Winfield Scott Hancock, 1t seems to me
there should be solid North the same
e'o l,,..oI, if the 2oufharn paonla