Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-07
Secretary Shcrman's Speech.

In recent speech at his home in Mans
field, Ohio, Secretary Sherman frankly, and
in terms manly and modest, avowed his can
didacy for the office of president. He ex-
pressed his firm determination not to seek
this lofty elevation by dishonorable means
or by lying pretenses or evasious, adding the
condition that If the Republicans of Ohio
do not, fairly aud fully, in their convention,
express preference for me, and support me
with substantial unanimity in the national
convention, my name will not be presented
to that convention with my consent" Pass
ing to the discussion of the issues presented
in the coming election, he reviewed with his
accustomed complacency the present -four
ishing condition of the country as compared
with the gloom and dependency that pre-
vailed prior to the new era inaugurated by
resumption, frankly conceding that Provi-
dence and bounteous crops had largely con-
tributed to this happy state of things.
In the light of past events, the secretary
regarded the success of the Democratic party
in gaining control of the executive and ju-
dicial branches of the government as an un-
mixed calamity, involving both the reversal
of all the guarantees won by the Union
armies with so much cost, and the entire
control of the government by former rebels.
In a single presidential term the supreme
court, which has been the bulwark of equal
rights and fair elections, will have been
changed so as to place the ideas of the
Democratic party with ascendency in the
highest tribunal in the land. i" If they carry
this election" said Mr. Sherman, "the re-
belion of 1861 is success If they fail
now, the dominant classes will see that they
must submit to the equal rights of all classes,
or if they do not the courts and laws of the
United States will maintain and enforce
these rights. Every citizen of the United
States in the south as in the north must be
secure in the enjoyment of civil and political
rights, and every power of the national gov
eminent must be exercised to this end. This
issue is broadly defined, and the only ques.
tion is whether it shall now be settled once
for all, or whether it shall, by ceaseless ag-
itation, continue to disturb our politics.
Next to the firm and judicious enforcement
of the laws by the courts, the best remedy
in the south would be the encouragement of
common schools, such as are almost universal |
in the north. This should be matter of |
public policy, both by the state and the
national government, if the colored people |
of the south are redeemed from ignorance
caused by slavery. 1t would be no more |
possible to overawe and overcome them by |
ku-klux Klans and tissue-ballots than il |
would be possible here in the north | say, |
then, in conclusion, that the Republican |
party is about to appeal to the American
people to stand by the policy that has Sc
cured you pronounced prosperity, and will |
secure to all our people equal civil and po-
litical rights. Let the national convention
at Chicago, after full consideration, and |
without bias and prejudice, say who can
best secure success, and the Republican
party, like welldriled army, will wheel
into line and overcome the last vestiges of |
the great rebellion of 1861
Equal rights to all, fair elections, and the
of common schools make
platform broad enough for the party to &C.
cupy. STILL in his strong presentation of
the vital issues to be decided in the coming
struggle is found, we apprehend, the fatal
reasons why his candidacy will not prevail
at Chicago. In the successful discharge of |
the duties of great office, he has so far re-
moved the financial question from the rank
of leading issue that whatever prestige at
tached to his name from this source, and
which might prevail if politics were in
more tranquil condition, must yield to the
demand of the times for statesman having
other talents than those of a great fnancier.
The spirit of the speech is most admirable;
and whatever may be the outcome of his
it will enhance the unqualified re.
spect and admiration with which Mr.. Sher.
man is regarded.