The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-09-20
HOW HE TURNED TRAITOR !
Comments on Geddes' Ineendiary
Speech.
He Eats Every Word He Uttered when
Soliciting Union Notes.-The
Wolf Throws of the
Sleeps Skin.

IL VIII be remembered that when Judge
Geddes spoke here he read extracts from
Republican paper of Mansfield to prove
his loyalty to the Government during the
war, and left us to infer that that was a
true Indication of his standing with that
paper and with the Republicans during
the war. To show the facts, and to prove
the deception hew attempting to prac-
tice upon US, We quote from the. same
paper under date of April 8, 1868, an ex-
tract which Judge Geddes failed to read
on that occasion:
Since the commencement of the rebellion we
have had frequent occasion TO commend the noble
and patriotic sentiments ardently and zealously
avowed on many occasions by Hon. G. W. Geddes.
We are happy to know too, that in his appreciation
we were Joined by every Union man in Richland
county,. 1t is to be regretted that the course Of
Judge G. on Saturday night has fully shown that
the confidence in his patriotism was in every res
pect misplaced and undeseryed.
While the announcement that Judge Geddes was
to speak before the Democratic Club of this city
gave grave fear that his Union sentiments like
Bob Acres courage were 'oozing out at his fingers
ends, few, IL any, Of the Union men present were
prepared for such utter qualification Of his pre-
yiously expressed opinions. Who could for a mo-
ment have supposed that the man who had many
times declared that he 'sunk every party predilec-
tion in these momentous times, and that, go help
him God, he would not make a political speech
until the rebellion was put down" should appear
before our citizens as the most ultra partizan, and
utter sentiments that can be approved by every
traitor in the NORTH And yet all this Judge Ged-
des did.
We were glad that Millers Hall was respectably
hlled-that a large number Of Union men were pres
eut-to hear the most remarkable specimen OF
wordeating we have had for many a-day. Not even
Judge BARLEY in his devious windings politically
surpassed the ''the wiring in and wiring OUT OF
the man he can now welcome as q worthy co-labor.
er in the cause OF the Democratic party,
1t is true that Judge Geddes announced himself
as much Union man as ever-that he said he was
for his country "body, boots and breeches!" but
this is no more than Vallandigham says, or f.
Wood, or Bright, or Medary, or any other Copper
head IN the land. 'sWe do not judge people by
their word much by their fruits" as the
Judge himself remarked; and no matter how much
man processes his love Of the Union-how earn
esty he praysfor the suppression of the rebellion
how herecly in general terms he denounces JEFF
Davis; II he ridicules the efforts made to put down
the rebels-if he strives to excite animosity to
measures vital to this end-and endeavors to create
antagonism to the Government engaged in strug.
giles with traitors-he is no Union man, let him
say what he Wilt
But it was when Judge Geddes began to review
the acts OF the administration and the rebellion,
that Misrepresentation and inhammatory appeals
became the staple Of his speech. Every man
Should have the right of free speech, but no one
has the right to excite the prejudices and anmosi-
ties OF one class against another and this the speak
er did with all his art and heart, until his pander-
ings became disgusting. We are not aware that he
uttered one word Of sympathy for Government
struggling for existence-not word of encourage
ment for the men who are in arms for its defense
nothing which could be construed as preference
for the country over his party. We listened in vain
for condemnation OF the men who, in word and
deed, are aiding the enemy, or a denunciation OF
the fellows who are writing to our soldiers to de-
sert. Indeed, after listening to the Judge for an
hour and three quarters, we concluded that IL he
cared at all for the Union 1t was only on account
Of the Democratic party.
As professed Union man, Judge Geddes had
acquired influence and weight, which his words ON
Saturday evening show he is not entitled to. Be
eying that open foe is easier to deal with than
false friend, we thought il proper to unmask him.
Let him now go on making Democratic speeches,
and however insidious he may be In his attacks on
the Government, he will at least take no one in by
professed Unionsm, albeit he may throw In ''body,
boots and breeches."