The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-07-14

hundred years, should we not be trusted to
conduct our own elections? / only mention
this as one OF the steps the Republicans took
% maintain power.
In 1876 there were very nearly $4,000 more
votes cast for the Democratic than for the Re-
publican candidate. Not only was there a
popular majority at the polls, but majority
Sonep Tue SaSynet az Wsshinefon co nI5 Mss
by the military spirit OF merely military
mana man who never laid down power Wilt
seere' ary of the interior, the late Mt. Chand-
Ter, of Michigan, and he had q willing aid in
Mr.. Cameron, OF Pennsylvania, Secretary OF
a word OF protest from any quarter, among the
officers In command, but with the ready alac-
rity of the General OF the Army, was sent TO
Columbia, Tallahassee and New Orleans to
protect three boards of canvassing officers in a
deliberate perversion of the results OF popular
election.
What was the course of the two great parties
OF the country at that time? 1t is a fearful
thing TO live under Government that we do
not respect. The Democratic party looked
upon the shameful work of fraud and force.
What was TO be done? Before / went to
Washington-and sadder man never went
there-I was anxious TO know how a merciful
God would enable us TO escape the overhang-
ing cloud. The tribunal 10 purge the election
of its frauds was decided upon. Patri-
otto representatives did not ask whether that
act was popular or not, but determined
that confusion should not come upon the land
If their straightforwardneSs and tenaclty of
purpose would prevent IL. The whole coun-
try was relieved of the apprehension of con-
a succeed
Mr. Hayes in his ill-gotten place. I am OBJ
posed to everything that tends TO perpetuate
Government in disregard OF the people. What
argument did General Grant use: The only
one he ever knew and ever obeyed-tlle bayo-
net. When we were assembled deli berating
for peaceful result, not in Mexican fashion
OF upsetting, but in the American fashion of
reasoning, what was the course of the Admin
lstration? To assist? On, no. One-third OF
the army was In that city, and more than one
half of 1t twelve miles distant, and in case of
any distui oance the Government was to ne
seized and held. Where was Garfield then,
and what part did he take, for we are told
that he has a civil record? He said you have
the army; you have the navy; you have the
treasury; you have the Executive and then
(he is credited with this Language, which be-
lieve he used,) he added, "if you had such
cards as these, wouldn't you play them"
Gambling with the destiny of the Nation!
Mr.. Garfield is a DISTINGUISHED man. He has
nne ability. He is intelligent and cultivated.
50 much the greater reason for the country to
demand from him high patriotism, and so
much the worse for him II he proves the want
position to the country IS interests.
When we were striving our best, when thir-
teen out OF fourteen Joined in signing that
oill-all of them. except o. p. Morton, who
preferred a confusion in which the Republi-
cans could pro,Ong their administration and a
new tenure OF power to him and his associ-
ates-at this time Garfield used his fine powers
against that measure OF wisdom. He declared
there was no warrant Tor it under the ConsIi-
tuition, ana then, strange to say, he went upon
the Committee and swore to execute its pow
y,
leave 1t to anyone to explain it. If for the
last TOUR years you have been in peace, il You
nave been at liberty to attend your daily avo
cations and build up fortunes, do not thank
the men who preferred the mailed hand of
ulysses Grant TO lawful rule. Garfield is no
unknown man. He has q long record. He
has been long leader among the advocates of
force bills, suspension of habeas corpus, mill
tsry usurpatlon, and every other N cans re-
sorted 10 by his party TO prolOng their power.
There has not been measure tending to exalt
the military above the civil power, not a aues-
tlon lending 10 create luminosity between the
sections In which James A. Garfield was not on
the same side. All this we propose to end by
placing in power man who, although dis
ungulShed soldier, never forgot that mis- citi-
zenship was higher distinction.
The logic OF Hancock is that the civil power
Is above the military. Sectionalism should not
bloody shirt must be folded up forever, and
tne American people should be brought to-
g ged S1,; as one people with one Government
TneSe are the logical results. and he has been
tried. Ii, as Major General, he has done
dent? Remember that Hancock mot
only earned his great renown by refusing
arbitrary power when offered him, but he also
poses he refused to carry out and who could |
make his position in the army an uncomfort- |
able one. Unfortunately. there has been too |
much OF this partisan feeling in the army and |
the navy, ana men to gain promotion have /
mad TO Go 50 at the expense OF independence |
and by covering themselves with partisan |
clothing. l have had reason to know of the |
case OF an officer who incurred the displeasure
of President Grant, and who asked in vain for
a reason, until a leading Republican Senator
told him that he had been lndiscreet in dining
and winning with certain Democrats. 1t is this |
spirit that Is dangerous to the army, to the
navy and to us all. When this spirit-the spirit |
OF Sheridan's dispatch-prevails, why then, in
deed, the army changes from being the be-
loved servants of the Nation into a very great
danger. Hancock is more than q true soldier
AS citizen he values his right and power
above his right and power as a soldier. If you
ask me why love Hancock, L say because I |
know that with him the liberty of my coun-
try will be safe. He has proved 1t. His life is
to-day the most brilliant example that we
have among our military men. l do not say
that there are none so brave, SO able as he,
but do say that none have been so tried as he |
and proved himself TO possess the lofty self
power at the command of conscience. This is
why claim he should be sustained all over
the land.
My friends. bid you goodnight. I have
tried TO meet this question fairly. II may be
that we have always talked against
military power, and yet have taken up mill
tary man. Ny answer is, we do so not be-
galantry and honesty, but Hancock is not |
only soldier, but he rs a man, citizen, i'm
oued with a knowledge OF what CITIZENSHIP
Is another reason; there are many reasons,
but let me state one more. There has been
people were antasonistic to the Northern. and
hated the Government. Now, it seems TO me
that this bubble must be pricked With
solid South for Winfield Scott Hancock, it
seems to me there should be a solid North the
same way. surely, if the Southern people
choose Hancock for some sinister end, they
must not only be great knaves, but great
Idiots. If this battle has to be success-and
sod grant that Ii may succeed In the fullest
sense-what better instance OF success can be
found than to see the man who led the hosts
Of the Union receiving the vote of every man
who warred against It.? What victory greater
than this? II that be not the fruits OF states
mQnghin then tall m what is sfafas- |
for?
There had been q heavy thunder storm,
and the marched earth and wilted vegetation