The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-08-27


boon. Despair brooded over the land
and IN the hearts Of all classes of people
Grim want had entered many householde
whence luxury and plenty had departed.
Men began to think there was no life in
the old land left. We were fast verg.
ing toward that point where freemen be.
come sisves from the very apathy and
indifference of despair. Yet q few de-
voted hands had kept the watch-fres
burning upon the affairs of liberty, and
when we thought her sun was about to
set forever amid the murky clouds OF
doubt and despair, the voice of Bloxham
was heard ringing along the line in clarion
tones, urging his countrymen to make
one more charge for liberty, and right
nobly did they respond. There were
found more than seven thousand who had
not bowed the knee TO- Baal. Their col-
umn was formed, the charge was made,
the old veteran Drew led the van, his
sllvery locks floating in the breeze like
the snow-white plume of Henry of Ma
yarre; the breastWorks were stormed,
the battlements were scaled, the enemy
were sabered at their guns, and the great
victory of 1875 was won Worthy to be
inscribed in the history of our country
beside that other victory won by our
forefathers against oppression Just one
one hundred years before.
Then commenced the herculean task of
cleaning the Angan stables. Corruption
and extravaganza had permeated every
department Of government. An immense
public debt had been piled up and left
for us to pay. The credit of the State
had been destroyed. Incompetent and
corrupt officials had held high carnival
with the revenue wrung from the over
taxed Democracy, for they it was who
paid the taxes, and not the voters of the
Radical party. Our newly elected State
administration had a work before them,
the magnitude OF which very few of us
have ever properly appreciated, and most
nobly have they performed their whole
duty. Taxes have been reduced to de-
gree which seemed incredible four years
ago. The States credit has been re-es-
tablished and placed upon a permanent
basis, her scrip is to-day worth dollar for
dollar. Confidence has been restored,
good feeling engendered between ali
classes of her citizens, and the State has
been impelled forward upon an era of
wealth and prosperity unexampled in her
former history.
All honor to our grey-headed old Gov
ernor, all honor to the noble band of pa
triots who have so ably seconded him in
all his measures for reform.
But, fellow-citizens, our State is again
in danger, the fruits of our victory are
imperilled. The men who had battened
for nine years upon her vitals like the vul-
lures upon the liver of the chained Pro
metheus, and who were hurled from power
in 1875 are again marshalling their dusky
cohorts for the onset. The black-winged
vultures of Radicalism are again polluting
the pure air of our sunny land with their
filthy pinions. The gaunt wolves of op-
preston, famished by their long enforced
abstinence are again heard dismally howl
ing around the watch-fires of the De-
mocracy. See to it that you keep these
watch-fres burning upon every hilltop
throughout the land. The voice of Blox-
ham is again borne to us on the breeze
this time as the leader of the hosts of the
Democracy Bloxham, the self-sacriicing
patriot, the courteous gentleman, "native
II
chivalrous knight who has ever been
ready to break lance in defence of his
native land, or run tilt against her ad
versaries. He it is who bids you forward.
This is to be no dress parade. Our foe,
led by the cunning and crafty Conover,
and the bitter and vindictive Biabee are
upon us, and will use every means, fair
and foul, to insure success. 1t is life or
death with them, as it lis with us, and if
conquered, which God forbid we may
expect no quarter. Our people must be
aroused. Apathy and indifference shame
to say, have again taken hold upon many.
This must be no defensive campaign, but
an active, aggressive warfare. In the Ian
guage of the greatest hero of France and
Of Europe, "the time has passed when
armies must advance hat in hand and say
gentlemen, will you please FIRE? p We
must hurl ourselves upon the foe like an
avalanche. We must descend upon him
like the thunder-bolt and smite like it."
Let not Democrats think they can remain
quietly at home and win an easy VIC
tory. tell you nayl We must be mp
and doing. Every Democrat must con-
stitute himself an executive committee to
visit his neighbors, particularly those who
live in remote localities, and enthuse
them with the spirit of 1876. Urge
them to organize; see that every Demo
crat in your district is registered, and
when the day of the election comes see
that he goes to the polls, if you have to
haul him there yourself, and when you
get him there see that he votes, and votes
the straight-out Democratic ticket, from
Hancock to the lowest constable.
And just here permit me to say . few
words in regard to independent candi-
dates. In consequence of reflection my
views upon this point have very materi-
ally changed. In al Republican govern
NETS the majority must rule, and the mi
nority must yield graceful acquiescence.
This is no less true in party organizations.
and the individual who for selfish purpo-
ses or for greed of Office would dare array
himself in opposition to the expressed
will of . majority of his party, isa Judas
to that party and an enemy to its inter
ests and should receive the frowns and
execrations of all who have the welfare Of
their country at heart.
a Particularly 10 this true of the Demo
cratic party at this time. Never was
there period when in her history when
il was more indispensable for her sons to
stand frrn and incOrruptible. Let not
the smooth -acngued batteries Of so-called
Independent Democrats win you from
yonr allegiance TO the regular nominees