The Princeton union., 1880-10-14
EcIa. Grants Address.


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I hope we may bo
able to have quiet and order here. It ;s not
important, SO far as anything that will have
to say to you is concerned, because shall not
be able to make many Of you hear !; but after
me comes speaker whom I know you will oil
be glad to hear, and you can do so by keeping
quiet and orderly. Not being accustomed to
speaking publicly, have drawn off the few
words that will say in advance Of the gentle
man VINO ls to follow me- Taking roll OF
In view Of the well-known character and
ability Of the speaker who is to address you to-
day, and his long public career and association
with the leading statesmen Of the country for
tho past twenty years, it would not be becoming
In me to detain you with many remarks of my
to you, on the FIRST occasion Of my presiding at
political meeting, for the "faith that is in
me-" I am o Republican, as the two great
political parties are now divided, because
the Republican party is q national party seek
ing the greatest good of the greatest number Of
it's citizens. There is not precinct in this vast
nation where Democrat cannot cast his ballot,
and have it counted as cast, no matter what the
predominance of the opposite party. He can
proclaim his political opinions. even if he is one
among q Thousand, without fear and without
prescription. There are fourteen States, and
have not that privilege. This is one reason
why am Republican, but I am Republican
!, for many other reasons.
y The Republican party assures protection to
life, property, public credit, and the payment
of tho debts of the Government, State. county
or municipality, SO far as it can control.
Ihe Democratic party does not promise this.
Il it does, it has broken its promise to the ex-
tent OF hundreds of millions, as may Northern
Democrats can testify to their sorrow.
en- Republican as between existing par
ties, because it fosters the production Of the
field and farm and of manufactures, and it en-
courages general education Of the poor as well
rs the rich.
The Democratic party discourages all these
when in absolute power.
The Republican party is party of progress
and of liberality toward its opponents. It en-
courages the poor to strive to better their con-
dltlon the ignorant TO educate their children
to enable them to compete more successfully
with their more fortunate associates, and, in
fine, It secures an entire equality before the law
OF every citizen, no matter what his race, ma
horraity, or previous condition. It tolerates
no privileged class Of men. Every one has the
opportunity to make himself all he is capable of.
Ladies and gentlemen, do you believe this
can be truthfuily said in the greater part of
fourteen OF the States of this Union to-day
which the Democratic party control absolutely?
The Republican party is party of principles,
foothold.
The Democratic party is united in but one
thing, and that is in getting control Of the
Government in all its branches. It is for in
ternal Improvement at the expense Of the Gov
ernment III one section and against this in an
other. 1t favors repudiation of solemn obliga-
hons in one section and honest payment Of it's
debts in another (where public opinion would
not tolerate any other view. It favors fat
money in one place and good money in another
Finally, it favors the "pooling of all issues"
not favored by the Republicans, to the end that
it may secure the one principle upon which the
party is most harmonious unit, namely gain
ing control OF the Government in all its
branches. have been in some part Of every
State Lately in rebellion within the last year. I
was most Hospitality received at every place
stopped. My receptions were not by the Union
class alone, but by all classes, without distinc-
ton. I had free talk with many who were
against Ms in the war, and who have been against
the Republican party over since. They were in
all instances reasonable men, judged by what
they said. believed then, and believe now
that they sincerely want breakup in the "sol-
I'd South political condition. They see that it
ls to their pecunia1y interest rs we'll as to their
happiness that there should be harmony and
confidence between oil sections. They want to
break away from tho slavery which binds them
to party name. They want pretext that
enough of them can unite upon to make it re-
spectacle. Once started, the solid South will
told by Judge Tourgee in his " Fools Errand."
When the break comes those who startit will be
surprised to find how many of their friends
have been in favor of it for long time, and
have only been waiting for some one to take the
lead. This desirable solution can only be OBJ
tanned by the defeat, and continued defeat, Of
the democratic party as now constituted.