The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-29

why He Was y Republican.

Why He Was y Republican.
from Gen. Grants speech at Warren, Ohio,
Sep. %, 1891
It may be proper for me to account
to you, on the first occasion of my pre-
siding at political meeting, for the
faith that is in me.
am Republican, as the two great
political parties are now divided, be-
cause the Republican party is nation
al party, seeking the greatest good of
the greatest number of her citizens.
There is not precinct in this vast ma
ton where Democrat can not cast his
ballot and have it counted as cast, no
matter what the predominance of the
opposite party. He can claim his po-
litical opinions, even if he is only one
among o thousand. without fear and
without prescription on account of his
opinions. There are fourteen States.
and localities in some others, where
Republicans have not this privilege.
This is one reason why am Repub-
lican.
But I am Republican for many
other reasons. The Republican party
insures protection to life, property,
public credit, and the payment of the
debts of the Government, State, county,
or municipality, so far as it can control.
The Democratic party does not prom
Use this. If it does, it has broken its
promise to the extent of hundreds of
millions, as many Northern Democrats
can testify to their sorrow.
am Republican as between exist
ing parties, because it fosters the pro-
auctions of the field and farm, and of
manufactures, and it encourages the
general education of the poor as we'll
as the rich. The Democratic party dis
courages all this when in absolute
power.
The Republican party is party of
progress and of hberality toward its
opponents. 1t encourages the poor to
strive to better their condition; the
ignorant to educate their children, to
enable them to compete successfully
with their more fortunate associates;
and in fine, it secures an entire equality
before the law of every citizen, no mat
ter what his race, nationality or previ-
Gus condition. 1t tolerates no privileged
class. Every one has the opportunity
to make himself all he is capable of.
Ladies and gentlemen, do you believe
this can be truthfully said in the
greater part of fourteen of the States
of the Union to-day which the Demo
cratic party control absolutely?
The Republican party is party of
principles, the same principles prevail
ing wherever it has a foothold. The
Democratic party is united in but one
thing, and that is in getting control
of the government In all its branches.
1t Is for internal improvement at the
expense of the government in one Sec
ton, and against this in another. 1t
favors the reputation of solemn OBJ
| legations in one section, and honest
payment of its debts in another when
public opinion will not tolerate any
other view. 1t favors fiat money in
one place and good money in another.
Finally, it favors the pooling of all
issues" not favored by the Republicans.
to the end that it may secure the one
principle upon which the party is
| q most harmonious unit, namely: gain
ing control of the Government in all
its branches.
1 have been in some part of every
State lately in rebellion within the last
year. was most Hospitality received
at every place where 1 stopped. Ny
receptions were not by the Union class
alone, but by all classes without dis
tinction. had free talk with many
who were against us in the war, and
who have been against the Republican
party ever since. They were in all in
stances reasonable men, judged by
what they said. 1 believed then, and
now, that they want breakup in the
solid South" political condition.
They see that it is to their pecuniary
interest as well as to their happiness,
that there should be harmony and con-
fidence between all sections. They
want to break away from the slavery
which binds them to a party name.
They want pretext that enough of
them can unite upon to make it respect
able. Once started, the Solid South
will go as Ku-kluxism did before,
as is so admirably told by Judge
Tourgee in his Fools Errand." When
the break comes those who start il will
be astonished to find how many of their
friends have been in favor of it for o
long time, and have only been waiting
to see some one take the lead.
This desirable solution can only be
attained by the defeat and continued
defeat of the Democratic party. as now
constituted.