Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-23
Butler and Democracy.

The following interesting EXTRACTS are
taken from a recent speech made by
Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, the Demo,
cratic Governor. elect, of Massachusetts,; /;
ave have the eyes of the people
turned-in the whole nation and in the
State-to the Democratic party. For
now more than quarter OF a century,
so far as this State is concerned, the ad-
ministration has been in the hands OF
one party. For more than a score OF
wears has the administration Of the
general government been in the hands
of the same party. But, for more than
10 years, with . few exceptions, up to
the time of the war, the administration
of the government had been in the
hands OF the Democratic party and in
and by that party, and from its states
manship, its love Of country, its desire
for the nations progress, came all the
extension OF our territory until the sun
now RISES AND SETS
upon the land Of the United States.
We bad first. under Jefferson, the ques-
lion Of the Mississippi river, Louisiana
and the great West, extending far up
the Missouri, and all its territories.
That was opposed by the opposition
party Of that day as a rulnous thing 10
The country. Who now would give up
the Mississippi river, the Missouri and
the West to any power on earth
Next followed the little peninsula Of
Florida, acquired by the Democratic
party. Next followed the empire State
of Texas. that State more than one
third larger in territory than the repub-
lie OF France, and, in this day, in this
hour, developing, by the richness OF It's
soil and the beauty OF its CLINE, into an
empire Of itself, destined to be divided
into four States of this Union, each
greater in territory, and in the next
decade in population, than the terri.
tory OF New England. What next
Texas We acquired as early as lS4i and
Is45. Ii gave rise to the war with
Mexico, where the conquering armies OF
the republic, under the men OF the
Democratic administration, planted the
glorious stars aud stripes over the City
OF Mexico, and over all that splendid
dominion north of Central America.
Did we acquire anything by that con-
auestl No, but we acquired the right
TO buy and pay for, honestly and fairly,
the great empire of the Pacific coast,
Arizona and New Mexico, and that ter
ritory which lies between Oregon and
Central America. These are the scqui.
sitions of the Democratic party. These
are the results Of it's statesmansbip, the
outgrowth Of its principles these arc
the Jewels to which we point. BY the
changing OF opinions upon the question
which unfortunately brought war upon
the country, the Democratic party was
PUT INTO THE MINORITY,
and for 20 odd years there has been no
opportunity for Democratic statesmen
or Democratic ststesmanship to assert
themselves in the government Of the
country. Il may bet is not now the
time TO discuss tit may have been
the grievous fault of the Democracy,
but erievously have we answered II. and
the fact that TO the Democratic soldiers
We owe the unity, strength, power and
glory Of the country is an answer to IL.
Applause. And nov the Republican
party, composed Of good, true and hon.
est men ia the mass-for the mass OF
men are always honest and patriotic, to
whatever party they may owe their 81.
legiance-haying conducted through its
administration the war OF the Union,
and having settled, with more or less
wisdom, rs the case may be, all the
questions arising out of the war, now
attempts to hold the country by virtue
of an organization begun in . sentiment
of freedom and equal rights, and end.
ing in almost q confederated eorrup-
ton. When the country finds itself in
this condition, where should it turn for
relief, where should II look for sympa.
thy, where should 1t look for reform,
where should IL look for economy,
where should IL look for honesty Of ad.
ministration, where should it look for
all the qualities which brought this
country from an infant republic to a
great nation, hut to the Democratic
party. [Great applause. And II they
turn 70 Us is the Democratic party equal
TO the task II becomes our duty to
teach the people that the sons are as the
father, equal 70 anything that conduces
10 the glory, honor and perpetuity ol
free institutions. Applause. Let US
then justify. 30 far a. We may, the con-
fidence that the people have begun "a
repose IN as. Whether IN the councils
of the nation, wherein we now have an
assured majority, or IN the councils OF
the State, les us 50 conduct ourselves
ahal every man ahalI say