Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-09-11
A TELLING SPEECH
Delivered in Aid Of the Democratic Cause
by Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, at Faneuil
Hall, Boston-Political Facts for Voters
OF all Parties 10 Ponder Over.


ofall Parties TO Ponder Over.
BosTON, Mass, Aug. 2S.-Faneuil hall
was full tonight, the occasion being
Gen. benjamin +. Buffers announce
ment oil his position in State and Ma
tional politics. Hon. Albert Palmer,
formerly Republican, and who last
wear supported Gen Butler for Govern.
or as an Independent, presided, and he
made an eloquent and able speech, COM
ing out squarely Tor Hancock. The
speech was received with great enthusi.
asm. Among the list oi vice-prcsidents
were John i. Squires, Gen. A. l.. Mar
tin, Hon. 4. 9. WoOdworth, j. \. Col
lins, }. II. Jenness, NJ. j. McCafIerty,
". ID. Northcnd, John Boyle O'Reilly,
Jonas II. French, John W. Mahan, j.
II. G. Ludwick, Benjamin Dean, Alex.
Dearborn. Ben jamin Z. Palmer and
other well known Democrats and indie.
pendent Republicans When General
Butler was introduced he was greeted
with much cheering and applause. Fol.
lowing is his address, which occupied
about two hours i'll delivery, and was
well received:
FELLOW. .CITIZSNs OF MASSACHUSETTS:
Bv wise provision Of the ConStitu-
ton, the people are called upon AT every
recurring period o! four years, to pass
solemn judgment upon the policy, n
,egritv and efficiency Ui the adminls;ra-
ton OF the government IN the past, and
to choose and appoint those who shall
administer their government IN the COM
ing like period.
Oa this power in the people 10 fre-
aupntly change their rulers our fathers
relied for the preservation Of the form
and Tact of republican government;
because during the term OF office OF the
| Chief Executive, and his advisors, who
| are Ot his appointment, the COnsutu.
| ton gives no efficient power 10 control
| their acts, to shape or change the policy
| of the government, il deemed unwise
| and hurtlul, or TO remove from Oillcet the
| President or his SuOrdinalcs. 10 that
end the process OF Impeachment Is pow
erless, except, perhaps, IN cases SIMPLY
OF heinous crime. The President, hay-
ing the power TO appoint and dismiss at
| will an immense number OF officials, IN
| fact can control at least onethird OF the
| House and Senate; so that, by his veto,
he can prevent the repeal or enactment
| OF anv law. In fact, there Is no pOtcn-
| tate in anv country when has a sem
| blance even OF constitutional govern
ment more absolute and desp tic than
| is the President Oi the United States
during his term OF Office. II change OF
policy or administration OF government
| is needed, il can only be attained AZ
| Presidential election. That past, LOT
| tour wears at least, as we nave seth, tle
| will Of the people IL powerless, SIN
more. Under our system OF elections,
practically, the people must confer their
mower upon one OF two men only, asthe
supreme executive head OF the Nation.
As demonstrated by the practice OF
quite half century in tact, no third
pprsnn can be- supported for President
with any result save in the nature OF a
prOtcSt tliust the nominee Oi the con-
ycntiJns ul IT," two great political par
ties. There is, therefore, no more sol
emn duty imposed upon any patriot, no
other or higher power exercised by any.
elector. than to determine which one Oi
two candidates represents more nearly
his convictions unOn the greatest mum.
Der OF the measures and principles OF
government, the administration Ci
which would be most likely to rebound
TO the common good, and the perpetual
ton of a republic, which no patriot de
sires. or as vet darcs, TO say Is not the
! best form OF government known upon
earth for free and enlightened people.
The voter, if accustomed to think Tor
himself, and not bindly or care,esSIy
follow partisan leaders, many find many
| things in both OF the candidates and
| principles OF the two great parties which
do not coincide with his own judgment
Therefore, the practical result OF the
election puts this question alone to the
clector Which party and winch can.
didate, on the whole, is nearest 20 what
would have? Thevoter cannotchooSe
the Executive that he would have, be,
cause, in most cases, his answer would
be. neither, and the result would be IN
action or an unwise throwing away OF a
ballo: upon an impossbli,y, powcrIess
for good, and useless against evil.
These narrow limits OfpDliticaI action
which confine his choice, compel the re-
fecting citizen carefully and candId!y Ia
examine the claims and candidates oi
two parties only, not perhaps with the
hope OF finding in either all his mos
cherished convictions or ideal President
but balancing probabilities 10 decide
upon his responsibilities 10 which anI