The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-30
IrrrEa rRom 5UDsE black.
rnc Yssues or she Presidential Cam
usfgm-Ths Frauds or lS5e-sFene-
raj saarf1eld's Chmracter md
Course, &c.

The annexed letter from Hon. Jere. Black,
a PENNSYLVANIA, IL In reply to the Invita-
ion Ia attend the great Democratic demon
,tration in New York last Thursday night
"BnocKIE, YORK, Pa, september q, 80.
"Gentlemen,-I cannot attend the meet
Ing Of the Democratic-R Republicans al the
city Of New York on the 23d instant. But
/ can assure you Of my concurrence 10 us
object, and II time and space permitted i
could give you q reason for the falth that is
within me. Trust we are approaching tue
end OF our long struggle against the oppres,
sion and fraud OF the nti'constitut'onai
party. They have sought the destruction
OF our Government by every possible msAhs
in their react. By our Government mean
the whole system OF fundamental law under
which we five. including the granted pow.
ers OF the Federal Union, the reserved
rights OF the States, and the personal liberty
OF the citizen. These three are all vltal points
OF our political crgsoization, and the lie OF
the nation depends as much upon one as an-
other. II you want to Kill man u makes
no difference whether You knock out DIS
brains. stab him through the heart, or tear
open his bowels-either Way he IS dose LOT.
Certainly an American who forcibly tram
guishes the rights Of the States, is not less
traitor TO his country than one who resists
the lust authority OF the Federal Govern
meDt.
al need not remind you with what man.
fold treachery our opponents got posses
sion OF The power which they nave SO
frlghtfuIy abused. AT the beginning OF
the war they solemnly pledged themselves
inf
the sole purpose Of defending the Federal
Government and maintaining the suprema-
CIV of the Constitution and laws. with all the
rights OF the States and the people unim-
pared; and they promised that when this
was accomplished the war should Instantly
cease. In consideration OF this special
pledge. superadded to their oaths. the men
and the money were put into their hands
which completely subdued the armed oppo-
sition OF the South to the Union. But when
the conflict was over they announced that
the victory instead OF defending the Gov
eminent had revolutloniZed and over
thrown il; that the whole doctrine
OF State rights was exploded and per-
sonal liberty was consequently thing OF
the past /; that the military was above the
civil authority, and through that instru-
mentality they Qbe central oligarchy) might
kidnap, imprison, ana kill citizens for po-
litical offences without Judge or jury. The
right OF suffrage bad ceased to exist except
when it was exercised by their permission
and in a way which suited their purposes.
DESTROYING all the election laws Of half the
States in the Union, they filed the State
offices with notorious thieves and crow ded
Congress with redemptionless rogues, who
did not pretend to any title except what
they got by force and fraud, and in all the
States they claimed the right to be repre-
sented at State elections by the bayOnets OF
their standing army. Would you have me
enumerate the cOrruptions generated by
this infamous system? Count the stars IL
you can; try 10 number the sands on the
seashOre.
"Tbeir idea Of strong Government was
fully developed. Six years after the war
fraud and force bad made il so much
stronger than liberty, justice, aud law. that
the Constitution bad but seven friends in
the Senate and less than a third OF the men,
bers in the lower house. But the princi-
pies OF free and honest government were
not destined to be crushed out forever.
The moral influence OF the Democracy was
itself power which abashed the anti icon
stitutional leaders and benumbed their
faculty of evil-doing. Thousands OF true
men, who in moments OF error or alarm had
wandered from the track OF their principles,
fastened to retrace their steps and to re-
gain the road which alone leads TO peace,
honor, and safety Truth and Justice
gradually regaiDed their natural ascend
aney in the popular heart. First, the Fed
eral House Of Representatives was re-
deemed; then the Senate, and in 1876 an
overwhelming majority OF the people at
tested their devotion TO free principles by
voting for Democratic President. This
looked like successful yindicatioD OF free
government, but it was not. The antl-con-
stitutional party has an advantage which
more than counterbalances the strength OF
the people. 1t can cheat at elections, it can
fasify the count, it eau forge returns.
There's the respect that makes q calamity
the experiment. We may be swindled
honest majority is greater than it was
before. The issues are all with US
and the accidents are not against us.
Our candidate is not only uneXcep-
tionable but admirable, and has the
unbounded confidence OF the whole coun-
try in his talents, integrity, and patriotism.
"Tbe impulses Of personal friendship
and the duties of fair political opposition
alike require me TO speak OF Geceral Gar
field. Intellectually he Is first among the
politicians OF his party-not the sharpest or
strongest, but the most gifted and best cul-
tivated. His private life is stainless, and
In everything uncOnnected with politics bis
behavior is regulated by principles OF the
souDdest morality. But in public affairs
he does not act upon his convictions; when
he passes into the domain OF politics bis
conscience loses its grip, and for his party
be is willing TO do any wrong which
will promote their interests, or play any
card how false soever which will win
them power. This surrender OF his moral
and mental integrity is the condition
upon which he holds his high place in the
affections OF the party he belongs to-.
Treachery to his country is fidelity 10 his
faction. IL at any time In the last fifteen
years he had given way to his own sense Of
right, supported the Constitution and laws
IN spirit OF pure justice, refused to defle
himself with election frauds, withheld his
countenance from executive corruption or
denounced the forcible inStalment OF thieves
in State offices, he would have converted
himself into Democrat and been expelled
from the communion Of the anti cons.itu-
tiOnal party.
This moral prostitution to bad political
purposes is far from being uncommon.
Men naturally good have yielded to il in all
times and in all countries where there Is a
party unprincipled enough TO demand It
and strong enough 10 reward il. But Gen.
eral Garfield's public career furnishes more
strikiu& examples OF 1t than the history Of
any individual have known. Let me give
you case After the war-at time Of per-
feet peace-in the State Of Indiana, where
no var bad ever been. certain military