The Portland daily press., 1880-04-01
SECRETARY SHERMAN.
Speech at Mansfield on the Issues OF the
Coming Campaign.

Speech at Mansfield on the Issues OF the
Coming Campaign.
MANSFIELD, Ohio, March 30. - Secretary
Sherman addressed large audience here to-
night. After jocular reference to his remarks
made year ago that he had come to mend
his fences he stated his reasons for his outspok-
en- acceptance of the candidacy before the con-
vention and announced firm determination
not to detract from the merits or services of
others nor to seek the position by dishonorable
means. Whatever the result of the conven-
ton he would abide cheerfully by its choice.
One indispensable condition upon which his
candidacy will depend will be the unanmity
of the Ohio delegation in his favor. Reverting
to the coming Presidential contest he said it
would present for decision questions of the
greatest Importance and the Republican can
dida.es must be those who will probably be
most certain of election. The Republican
party is the party of principle and
the Democratic party is the party of opposi-
tlon. Inc hepu6lcan party proposes now to
maintain the policy of resumption and refund
ing, but must be supported hereafter by
friendly action of the government. 1t pro-
poses to maintain and enforce the constitution
al amendments with all the powers of the
national government to the end that
black may be secure in the full enjoyment of
his civil and political rights. 1t proposes to
foster and extend the system of free common
schools, both by state and national govern
hlOuto, W euO Ouu tudG every CIlllU Vi IL proper
age may receive instruction and thus give the
poor as well as the rich fair chance in life.
The Republican party is the only party in the
country that has the courage and ability to
carry out these great objects. The controlling
elements of the Democratic party cannot and
ought not to be trusted to secure either OF
these primary conditions of good government.
He would regard a Democratic success in gain
ing control of the government as an unmixed
calamity.
He then took up the financial question point
ing to the happy change in the condition of the
country since 1877, brought about by the re-
sumption and refunding policy of the admins
tration. One debt is now being rapidly re-
duced without increase OF taxation and this
very month the reduction is greater than in
any othor month since the creation of the
debt-$14, 100000. The political condition OF
the party has vastly improved as evidence by
the elections last fall. He did not attribute
all these results to the policy of the Republi
can party alone, but he did say that without
| a steady and firm maintenance of Republican
| policy they would havee been impossible
Providence by giving as bounteous crops has
| since resumption greatly aided this policy
| We admit this and are thankful, but ara Ger
| tain that if Democratic ideas have prevailed
| credit would still be languid and industries
| still be laboring under the effects eff depre
| ciated and disordered currency. 1t is the
| policy which the Republican party firmly
| maintained and enforced in the midst doub
| and disaster and partial defeat that is the
chief human cause Of the great change in oul
| affairs.
And now the question to be determined il
whether the people will allow this policy to be
| changed and the Democratic party placed il
control of the executive and judicial branches
of the government, for the judicial branch viii
follow the fate of the executive branch.
The rebel element now controls the Demo
| cratic party in every southern state, where
alone it is secure in its political power. The
| triumph of this element is the disgrace O.
| American civilization. If they carry thi
election the rebellion of 1861 is a success. L
| they fail now the dominant classes will see
that they must submit to the equal rights o.
all classes. Every citizen in the South, a.
| we'll as in the North, must be secure in the
enjoyment of his civil and political rights, ant
every power of the national government mus
be exercised to this end. loud and long con
tinued applause)
He advocated the encouragement Of COM
| mon schools in the south, and said that as the
| colored people were redeemed from ignorance
caused by slavery it would be impossible t.
| overawe and overcome them.
| In conclusion he said: Let the national con.
| vention say who can best secure such success
and the Republican party will wheel into line
and overcome the last vestges of the great re-
bellion of 81. loud and long applause)