The Portland daily press., 1881-01-21
Speech of Secretary Sherman at Colum

Speech of Secretary Sherman at Colum
bus
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 2O.-At reception
tendered him in the Senate chamber last night
Secretary Sherman made the following ad-
dress:
1 assumed the duties of the office of Secre-
tary under circumstances of great embarrass-
ment. l Was held up before the public for a
long time as one who Was pursuing policy
that brought woes unuumbered-greater than
Defell the Greeks between Achilles and Az
ainemmon. All the evils that fell upon soci-
ETY. in the United States during the period
all the grave dlStreSS-were simply attributed
TO me as a fault Was compelled TO say "No"
Thousand tunes where l would have 81 idly
said Yes L was compelled to decliue
the advice OF men, honestly given for good
purpose, because in my judgment that advice
would not promote the public good. l am
glad to know and feel the assurance that you
now believe that under the trying crcum
stances did the best could to advance the
common interests of our common country.
(Applause)
After paying warm tribute to his competi-
tor, Allan u. Thurman, he continued: NOW,
gentlemen, there is another thing / think l
may say with apDrobaton-that the political
questions that now divide the American PEG
pie are assuming "a less dangerous aspect. La
time gone by there was some excuse for the
political ahlmosl lies, the bitter and violent
controversies on questions involving the credit
OF the u mon, the pubic honor aud the ma
tlonal power. But after lapse of twenty
years time yearly all these questions have been
settled. There is now man brave, SO
powerful, so strong, that dare attack the integ-
rIty OF the Union and the people of the United
States. (Applause.) Questions which affect
the National powers have been graveiy dis
cnssed, but now it is settled that the people of
the United States, by their agents. will en-
force in every part of our country any law
which shall receive the sanction and Judgment
of the Supreme Court of the United States;
and SO, fellow citizens questions of public
honor will not much longer be discussed. In
deed, if we tonight could feel the assurance,
that has now been given, at least in party plat
forms, and put in the provisions of the conStl
tuition of the United States, that every man
shall have equal civil and political rights,
whatever may be his color or condition, then
all the dangers that threaten his country have
disappeared. When we all stand on an equal
footing and our rights are carefully preserved
and protected in every State OF the Union,
then there is no question to endanger our peace
or safety or the good order of society in any
community in the country, and l believe that
happy time has come. So also the South, that
country which has been cursed in a great part
by the existence of the institution OF slavery,
is about to be developed in wealth and popu-
lation. We have been surprised by the return
of the census in the South; but we may ex-
pect new surprises, and when we become rec
onciled to the great change that has occurred
in their condition, expect to see a happy
South, adding to our wealth, population and
energy, and contributing all the great staples
that add to our wealth and production"