Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-10-07
SPEECH OF EsON. ID. e. LUCAS.

The people of Shepherdstown were ia
vored with Il rare treat OH Saturday after
noon last. Pursuant to an announcement
in these columns the Hon. ID. Is. Lucas
was on hand aud delivered his brilliant
speech OH true principles Of the demOcra-
cy lis formulated and propoHnded by that
great apostle of free government and re-
ligiOuS liberty in this country-fhOmaS
Jefferson. The address was one of Mr..
Lucas ablest efforts, and it is Il subject Of
regret to many adMirerS that more of our
people were not present on this deeply
interesting occasion. The fact is that the
art OF popular oratory has been prostitutcd
To such base purposes and brought down
TO such Il low level, when public speak
er is announced, the people have liul
no inclination to turn out. After one has
listened 10 The dry musIy platitud4psnd
low diatribeS Of personal abuse that are
accustomed to greet the ear on such occa-
sions, il is truly delightful to listen to
mastery discussion of the leading ques-
tions of the day. 1t looks something like
return of the good old days when the
stump speaker was 4 real power in the
land.
Mr.. Lucas prcfacCd his remarks by 4
most eloquent and torcible appeal for
harmony in the democratic ranks. lie
urged his fellow democrats to emulate the
example of their republican opponents,
and waive their personal differences for
the common welfare. In this he but en-
phasiZed what we have before stated in
these columns that there spower enough
i'm the democratic party to take posses
sion of this Government whenever it res
olutely makes up its mind to do SO. But
if every man who is the least dissatisfied
because his peculiar wishes are not quail
fed, kicks out OF harness, or sets modify
ut home and lets politics 90 TO the GOgs,
anything like organized effort is out of
the question. So far as our observation
goes, Daniel b. Lucas is one of the few
public men of our day, who really COM
prehends the true spirit of the Jefferson
ian philosophy. lie drew picture of the
reckless extravaganza of the Government
i'm the expenditure of the public money,
of the multiplication of salried offices by
which the Administration seeks TO i'll
trench itself in power and the imperial
style of doing things by our public func-
tionarics ut Washington that was simply
appalling. One that must fill every
thoughtful, patriotic man, every true low
or OF his country, with the graveSt appre-
tensions for the safety OF our free in
situations.
Jefferson county is happy in having a
son with the capacity TO read Alright the
signs Of the times aud the boldneSs to re-
bnkc the reckless spirit which character
ICES the administration of public affairs at
the present time. One who is Jealous
enough 10 sound the tOcSin of alarm in the
ears OF the people, and demand 4 return to
the simplicity, economy and patriotism in
the conduct OF the Government, that sig
naliZed the administration of the founders
of the Republic.
This is our only safety. There are I'M
mistakable tendencies in our present SyS-
TEN of things, which, if allowed to 90 Oh
uncorrcctcd, are rs inevitable in their re-
suits as the law of :ravitation. 1t is moth
ing but plain statement of facts to say
that Mr.. Lucas is, byall odds, the besta and
most effective stump speaker in the State.
There is no man in either party that can
touch him OH the stump. We car well I'M
derstand our machine politicians dread
ing such n man. If he could be induced
TO enter the canyass in the more closely
contested States of the UNION, he would
lender Invaluable services To the cause of
popular government.