The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-10-07

attractive than if clothed in the VERDI
age of the politician, or garlanded with
the rhetoric of the professional stump
speaker. These, wi h other consldera-
tiOns, would have prompted me to de-
cline an invitation to break selt-lm-
posed silence on public affairs, un-
der other circumstances, or on a an
ferent occasion. But, when solicited by
men who were themselves, in the past,
as well as those they represent, the pro-
moters q: my political fortunes, and who
are now battling for the success and
supremacy of principles which are
alone compatible with the prosperity OF
our country, and the general welfare OF
the generous people, with whom L nave
always been identified, l cannot with
hold from them a full expression OF my
sympathy in this great struggle.
Gentlemen of the Democratic clubs =
You are engaged in a grand struggle
for the supremacy of the constitution,
as interpreted by the fathers, and for
the perpetu:ty of individual liberty. If
we are to be Nation, the American
Revolution, with its boosted results, was
delusion and snare. The blood
spilled at Monmouth, Yorktown and
Saratoga was libation to false god.
Bunker Hill was IA wicked massacre
The CQWpenS anu mig NhO"hO o''''
were fought in~Sain. And the conven-
tion that cemented the states into a con-
federacy under our Constitution, had
better have then followed the teachings
of Alexander Hamilton, who proposed
that the States should be mere depen-
denotes, powerless to elect their own
Governors, or to make laws for the gov
! eminent of their own domestic officers.
Sirs. this is not 4 nation. And, God
/ willing, the patriotism OF the America n
people will never permit this once Slo-
| rious, and still powerful and prosperous
republic to be converted into nation
| first, and an empire afterwards. Ihe
! end and aim of the Democratic party of
/ to-day is TO protect this country from
conspiracy of bold, am bilious and des-
perate men, banded together under the
! lead of Garfield and Arthur, to convert
| this government, ruled by the people
! for more tnan Il century, from a repuo-
! lie OF confederated states, into a nation
/ of centralized power-a nation whose
seat of power shall be at washington,
and whose mandates shall reach the
people by methods known only to mill
tary 90 -ernments.
Is this not the purpose of the republic
can party? Look at the Chicago plat
form! Read the 2nd plank:
1.-The constitution of the United
States is a supreme law and not mere
contract. Out of confederate states, ii
made a sovereign Lation."
The platform in all its parts carefully
avoids using the time-hOnored terms
"Republic," Federal UniOn," ETC., etc,
but maintains throughout the ominous
term sEnation" AMI the antecedents
and usages of this party throughout lis
eventful reign of twenty dark years
leaves no room TO doubt that it its rule
is perpetIated, all power will be concen'
trated in the Government at Washing
TON. and that its edicts, however fla
grant, will be enforced by the army
and the navy.
The general government will appoint
your governors. Your judges will bt
carpet-baggers from other states, hold
} inv their offices for life. The law!
: passed by your legislatures, instead o
being submitted to the people for rati
, fication, must be approved by congress
, or by the President before they can b.
! enforced. The controversies between
citizens will be adjudged by the United
States courts, sitting two or three hun
J dred miles, perhaps, from the homes o
| the parties. Criminal charges Will b.
cosniZable by the same tribunal. AM
/ the citizen, if charged with crime
: whether innocent or guilty, must b
: dragged from his friends and home AM
tried by strangers.
, Is this distorted prospect? Look
their platform, and then read what the
: have done in the past!
, Read what Gen. Garfield said to ser
5 enading party in New York since hi
t nomination. He said Alexander Ham
/ ilton's plan of government is the bes
e What is that plan? You will find 1t o
5 page 2U5, Volume 5, of Elliott's comp
lation of the Madison papers, (Editlo
f of 1917 | read literal extracts:
e 1.-The supreme legislative power OF tn
s tinted States OF America u, oe s'S.I
n in two differ rent bodies of men, the on
:, to be called the assembly, and the othe
: the senate. Inc senate !