The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-04-28
SENATOR THURMAN
Returns to Columbus and Makes a Splendid
Little Speech.

"
Returns to Columbus and Makes Splendid
Little Speech.
COLUMBUS, O., April Ex-senator Thurman
arrived In this city at 3o'clock this afternoon,
and was met at the depot by Supreme Judge
Akey, Hons; Nj. A. Daugherty and George w.
The Senator was serenaded at 3 o'clock, and
was introduced by ID. G. Jones, and responded
IN half hours speech, of which the following
is an abstract:
any one of you were far from home ana should
receive a warm and cordial welcome from
would feel deeply, profoundly grateful for
that kind attention; but grateful one
may feel for the welcome of strangers,
there is something so much nearer
the heart in the welcome to his home by ones
friends and neighbors. We may be grateful
for politeness from those we have never seen,
but when we are welcomed home by those
with whom we have dwelt, whom we recog-
nize as our own townsmen now, and with
whom we expect to live SO long as life shall
be spared, there is a feeling more deep than
gratitude more powerful than respect. So l
Ieel tonight at this welcome which you have
been so kind as TO give me, and but feebIy
express my emotions when L thank you for it
with all my heart, and when 1 also
return to the orator, who has
appreciation of his too fiattering remarks.
My friends, as passed. through Newark to-
day, purchased Columbus paper, and to my
great surprise found that was expected to
make a speech here tonight 1 speak in all
sincerity and truth when I say that that sur
prised me, for 1t was only yesterday morning
and had no certainty at all that you would
know that was coming, and If you did know
IL, had no idea that would be expected to
make a speech, and this being the case, my
rienc=, | have no prepared speech TO deliver
you. I did hot come % Ohio Charged with a
speech. tLaughter.l did not think speech
I came here to get little rest
after five months intense labor, without
any recreation at all. Although enjoying fine
health. needed some rest and some repose,
and came to get 1t among my friends in Col
umbus lapplausel, but since you have been
told that would speak tonight, and have
been kind enough to come to hear 1t, 1t would
b unjust in me not to say something at least
upon the political questions, or some of them,
however, my friends, to be brief; at no time
am n long speaker, and IL is, therefore, ssl-
therefore, very briefly, indeed, but what l do
say commend to your careful and thoughtful
consideration. My friends, IL has been said
that every Presidential election is crisis in
this Republic. and although II
might be doubted whether in the past
that remark is absolutely true that there
ted that in later years every Presidential elec-
tiOn has in fact been a crisis in our affairs,
and no one can tell how long 1t may thus con-
tinue. But of one thing / think we may be
absolutely certain, and that is that the Presl-
Dental election OF 1882 will be regarded as
long as the history OF this country shall be
the Republic. And why do say this? am
not accustomed, and IL is not my wont to
% this is a crisis % in public affairss Because, my
friends, In my serious judgment the
election this year will go TO determine wheth-
er substantial liberty, substantial free institu-
tions shall longer continue in America. Judge
Thurman then spoke some moments upon the
phrase so often repeated by the opponents of
The Democratic party that 1--WE need q strong
Government" The meaning OF this was
that we should have a stronger National 6! V
eminent to rule over the whole people OF TINS
country. The people should be content with
the Government as it has existed for three
quarters of a century, under which we have
fiourished as no other people have hourished.
There are but two modes of giving strength TO
a Government. One mode is fraught with
beneficence TO the people, and safety, security
means despotism over the people, and means
ruin and ultimate destruction to the State.
The first is, SO constitute your government,
and receive the affection OF the people VINO
dwell under 1t, that they shall not merely
and love it. A Government thus supported by
Its people, whatever may pc Its form,
Eoweyer few may be the lowers
s,xpress:y s,y c9GfSrred one mnon OF the the
earth, II not the very strongest.
such Government our forefathers
people Of tSe ef United % States. and such Cow
ernment the Democratic party has always ad-
vocated. The other mode OF strengthening
Government Is TO strengthen IL mercy oy
force-by great standing armies. This point
was dwelt on at some length, and illustrations
of the results OF such kind of Governments
were given by reference to the rule OF Great
Britain over Ireland. the Empire OF Russia,
etc.
The application made OF the principles
underlying these two forns of Government
was that the former mode was that by which
the Democratic party sought to administer
| the Government, while the Republican party
resorted to the latter mode. He concluded as
| follows: "Now, my fiisnds, in my judgment,
| the great question which Is to be solved is
whether or not the strength OF our Govern
mens in the future shall come
| from the affections of the people,
| or whether IL shall be the strength
| OF despots, and despots alone. There is much
more that might speak about-ot the neces-
sity of freform and economy, and the necessity
| of lowering taxes, and all these subjects, with
which you are more or less famluar with, but
promised you that would not weary your
| patience aud hope you will not allow me to
/ weary myself"