Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-09-01
Bob Ingersoll on the Stump.
"Why Am RepublicaH." Few Words
by Col. Ingerson spoken in 1880.

ny Col. IngersoIl spoken in 1870.
l am opposed to the Democratic party,
and will tell you why. Every State that
seeded from the United States was
Democratic State. Every ordinance of
secession that was drawn was drawn. by q
Democrat Every man that attempted TO
tear the old flag from the heaven that 1t
enriched WAS a Democrat. Every man
that tried to destroy this nation was
Democrat.
Every enemy that this great Republic
has had for twenty years has been Dem
ocrat. Every man that shot Union sol
dier, was Democrat Every man that
starved Union soldiers, and refused them
In the extremity of death. was Democrat
Every man that loved slavery better than
liberty was Democrat The man that
assassinated Abraham Lincoln WAS Dem
ocrat. Every man that sympathzed with
the assassin-every man glad that the
noblest President ever elected was assassi-
nated-was Democrat. Every man that
wanted the privilege Of whipping another
man to make him work for nothing and
paid him with lashes on his naked back
was a Democrat. Every man that raised
blood hounds 10 pursue human beings was
a Democrat
Every man that impaired the credit of
the United States, every man that swore
that We would never pay the bonds. every
man that swore we would never redeem
:he greenbacks. every maligner OF his
country's credit every calumnistnr Of his
countrys honor was Democrat.
am a Republican. am a Republican
because the Republican party says this
country Is a nation and not n confederacy.
| want to SNOW If the government that
took you from your tireslde sud made
you tight for it-I want to know II it is
not bound TO fght for you
The flag that will not protect its protectors
is dirty rag that contsminates the air In
which 1t waves The government that
will not defend its defenders Is disgrace
to the nations of the world. | am Re
publican because the Republican party
says, We will protect the rights of Am
encan citizens at home, and II necessary
we will march an army into any State to
protect the rights of the humblest Ameri
can citizen in that State" Any man that
is not in favor OF human progress. that is
not in favor Of giving to others all he
claims for himself We do not ask him to
vote the Republican ticket.
Free labor, love, Affection they have
invented everything OF use 10 this world
free country that ever existed. And right
here | want to thank every soldier that
fought TO make 1t free; every one. living
and dead.
These heroes are dead. They are at
rest They sleep In the land they made
free. under the flag they rendered stainless
under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks
the fearful willows and the embracing
vines. They sleep beneath the shadows
of the clouds, careless. alike OF the sun
light or Of the storm. each in the window
less palace of rest. Earth may run red
with other wars-they are at peace In
the midst Of battle, in the roar Of conflict
they found the serenity of death. | have
one sentiment for the soldiers living and
dead-Cheers for the living and tears for
the dead.
Now, my friends, want you to vote the
Republican ticket. want you TO swear
that you will not vote for any enemy of
human progress. Go and talk to every
Democrat that you can see. Get him by
the coat collar; talk to him. Hold him
ike Coleridge's Ancient Mariner. with
your glittering eyes. Hold him; tell him
all the mean things his party ever did
Tell him kindly; tell him In a Christian
spirit As | do, but tell him.
want you, every one, 10 swear you will
vote for the glorious Republican party. |
tell you we must stand by the country. Il
is glorious country. 1t permits you and
me to be free. 1t is the only country In
the world where labor Is respected; let Us
support il. IL Is the only country In the
world where the useful man is the aristo-
crat The man that works for 81 a day
and goes home at night to his little ones,
takes his little boy on his knee. and he
thinks that boy can achieve anything that
the sons Of the wealthy man can achieve.
The free schools are opee TO him, he may
be the richest. the greatest, the grandest;
and that thought sweetens every drop Of
sweat that rolls down the honest face OF
toll Vote to prosper that country.