The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-26
SENATOR PENDLETON.
Pays Tribute to the Good Work of
the Convention, and Touches Up
the Crime of Guiteau.
Special Dispatch to Cincinnati ENQUIRER.


COLUMBUS, Oslo, July 13 Senator
Pendleton refused to allow his name to
he used in connection with the perma-
nent Craftsmanship of the Convention.
The people did not, therefore, have an
opportunity of hearing him at the Con.
vention, but he was serenaded at the
Park Hotel tonight and made speech
to a considerable audience.
He expressed very heartily his gratif.
cation at the size and bearing of tue
Convention, and at the work which had
been done. He alluded to the ticket
nominated as one that left no personal
bitterness behind, and expressed grati6.
cation over the fact that there had been
no difficulty in the Committee on Reso.
lutions. The questions presented, he
said, were chiefly those Of Safe gov.
ernment and State affairs. The cam
paign would relate chiefly TO State af-
fairs, and he was glad to see the plat.
form confined chiefly to those matters
upon which the people would be called
to pass this year. Referring to the reso
luton regarding the attempt upon the
life Of the President, he spoke in touch
ing terms OF that sad event, speaking
Of the gentleness OF character of the
President and the heroism aud devotion
OF his wife. He treated the crime of
Guiteau as the outgrowth OF the system
OF Office. begging and o(lce-giving. He
rejected the idea OF conspiracy. A man
! of ordinary intellect, something of
/ speaker, q writer OF sensational char
ac:er, man of loose morals and small
pecuniary resources, and, having little
to do. turned his attention to the thought
that he ought to have an Office. He be-
seeched Consulship, and addressed let.
,ers of sympathy to the White House,
hut suddenly, In bis wrath, espoused the
cause of the other faction and shot down
the President. The desire for office,
this belief that political service had
earned him the Office, had made his
crime possible. The government stood
confronted with peril. To surround
our Pres sidents with body guards would,
10 the end, subvert our institutions. He
thought there was remedy. We must,
by law aud public opinion, abolish this
system Of office-sJing and office-seek-
ing-the prolific parent Of fraud, cor
ruption and brutality, Setting up the
emoluments of Office as the prizes ol
j political contests, and making Presi'
dents and their Secretaries the peddlers
Of offices. The system has made The
crime Of Gulteau possible because it had
made him possible candidate for Office
We should teach that the offices are
great public trusts; that they exist 70,
the public welfare.
}, Mr. Pendleton charged that the Re.
publican party had hugged the spoils
system, and referred to the Star Route
!; scandal, the coalition with repudiators
OF the public faith, and the resignation
Of United States Senators on q mere
question of Office. The people were
weary. Mr. Pendleton said, and would
give their confidence to any party whicl
would Iift the Civil Service out of tht
slough. Mr.. Pendleton presented the
opportunity for reform a. one which tbs
] Democratic p-rtY should not be slow to
embrace.