The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-09-30
Desperate Determination of the
Democracy to Ruin the
Nation.
Arguments that Cannot be Answered
and Facts that Cannot be
Denied.


Denied.
The Great senator's Address.
Senator Conkling opened the campaign in New
York at the Academy of Music on the 18th inst.
The following is the full text Of the senators adj
dress
5-FELlow CITIZENS: Whoever is given greeting
and audience in such a presence ought indeed to
have something worthy, something fit and wise to
say. Inadequate in all save only grateful and re-
3pectful appreciation must be my return. We are
citizens Of a republic. We govern ourselves here,
awaits the birth of the boy or girl to WELD an
hereditary scepter. Whenever death Or revolution
pours On the oil of coronation we know no scepter
except majority's constituted will. 10 WELD
that scepter in equal share is the duty and right,
nay the birthright, Of every citizen. The su-
preme, the final, the only successful arbiter here
is the ballot-box and in that return should be
gathered from it, should be sacredly recorded, the
conscience, the judgment, the intelligence of all.
The right Of free self-govemment has been in all
ages the bright dream Of oppressed humanity.
The sighed-for privilege to which thrones, dynas-
ties, and powers have so long blocked the way.
France seeks it with forced marches and daring
strides. Mr.. Forster secretary Of Ireland tells
the peerage Of England it must take heed lest it
fall and Westminster and England ring with
dread echoes Of applause but in the fullness of
earth, alone in its blessings, alone in its promises
and possibilities, and, therefore, alone in the de-
votion due from its citizens. The time has come
when law, duty and interest require the nation to
determine, for at least four years, its policy in
always in a government of the majorities, and to
support and strengthen the party which most
nearly holds his views is among the most laudable
lneritorious acts Of an American citizen and this
whether he be in official or in private station.
Two parties contend for the management of ma
tional affairs. One or the other Of these two con-
testants is sure to manage the nations concerns
these two is it the wisest to trust? It is not a
question OF candidate. The candidate, if he be
an honest, genuine man, will not seek and accept
party nomination to the presidency, vice resi-
dency, or congress- and after he is elected become
law unto himself. Few things arc more de-
sp1cable than first to secure elevation at the
hands of the party, and then, in hopes of win
ming pretentious non-partisan applause, to effect
superior sanctty and meanly to imply that those
whose support and confidence were eagerly and
defereatially sought are wanting in purity, patri
otism, and other titles of respect. The higher OBJ
legations among men, are not set down in writ
ing and signed and sealed. They reside in honor
and good faith. The fidelity Of nominee be-
longs to the exalted class, and, therefore, can
:didate of party is but the exponent OF party.
The object Of political discussion and action is to
settle principles, policies, and issues. 1t pal
try incident of election affecting fifty millions Of
people that decides for al occasion the aspira-
lions Of individual men.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
is the democratic candidate, and am against the
ticket and all its works. The general issue con-
fronting is in ITSELF nnd in its bearings, section
al. I would, and you would it were not so, but it
is so. If one portion of the country one party
outnumbers the other, evon by overwhelming
odds, the fact need not be blamable nor proof Of
sectional aggression; but if, in any section, any
party gains and keeps coatrol, not by numbers,
not by honesty and law, and then, sitting free
eminent Of the whole country, the proceeding is
sectional. guilty, and monstrous. Intwelve states
Of the union the approaching election is to be no
more than & farce, unless, as has sometimes hap
pened to be. turned into tragedy. There is to be
free debate, no equal rights, true expression
in these states, and in several states the clear ma
jority is to have no deciding power, not even d
chance in {; rattle such that in which lots were
cast and the booty divided the other day between
Tamnany hall and the upper air and solar walk
reform democracy. Senator Hampton largely
promises 10 900 democratic majority in South Ca
other way. In severa! southern states there IS =
large, well-known, and often ascertained republi-
can majority, but all southern states alike with
out exception Or doubt are relied OH to count on
democratic side, and to score IFS electoral votes
lacking but Al Of II majority of ali. The causes
Of such a condition and the consequences if it
succeeds are matters which sane, intelligent
man can put out Of view, and yet he who discusses
them must be told in the coarse parlance of the
day, that he "waves the bloody shirt" 1t is a re-
lief to remember that this phrase and the thing
it means is no invention Of our politics. 1t dates
back to Scotland, three centuries ago. After a
massacre at Glenfruin, not so savage as has
stained our annals, 220 widows rode on white
palfreys to Sterling Towers, bearing each on Il
spear her husbands bloody shirt. The appeal
walked Scotland's slumbering sword, and outlawry
and the block made the name Of Glcnfruin terri
and fourth generation. am not going to recite
horrors nor to allude to them nor to the chapter
Of cruelty they fll to retry the issues of the
war. My purpose is quite different. It is to show,
if can, what is actually Mt stake now; who and
what the contending forces are; how much the re-
suit may mean, and which way prudence and wis
dom point.
GENERAL GRANT.
You have listened to letter from one to whom,
at least as much as any other man, the nation
owes its preservation, prosperity, and supremacy.
This letter, full of common sense hit the nail on
the head. Its writer generally does hit nails
rebellion and pretenders-on the head. He says:
''This meeting should awaken the people to the
importance Of keeping control Of the government
in tho hands Of the Republican party until we
can have two national parties, every member of
which can cast his ballot as his judgment dictates
without fear Of nolestation or ostracism, end
have it honestly counted-parties not differing in
opinion as to whether We are nation, but as to
the policy to the greatest good to the great
est numbers of its citizens. Sincerely believing
that the Democratic party, as now constituted and
controlled is not TT party to trust with the con-
troll of the general government, believe it to the