Year: 1869

those OF any other State, and per-
haps I can say the same of the
physical development, courage and
energy of our population. Under
these circumstances, we have entered
upon new industrial system, which
has already created so much wealth
here among you, and which, as l
have stated, and now repeat, will
soon make Ohio the leading manu-
featuring State in the Union. Sew
eral of the Western States will soon
pass US in agricultural productions.
The Atlantic coast must always be
the seat of foreign commerce. Gin
cinnati, Chicago or St. Louis will be
the great distributing point Of inter-
nal commerce and trade. and the
western towns of Ohio will be filled
with the busy hum of mechanical
labor, giving sure market for your
surplus farm products, and coming
into money the coal, iron, wool,
flax and timber of the State.


THE CHIEF OBJECT OF POLITICAL PAR
TIES.


But you may ask what this has to
do with politics. I answer, it has
everything to do.with politics. Par
ties in this country are Of no &C
count whatever, unless they promote
the public good, the honor of the
State and the development of indus
try. Under Republican administra-
ton, we have secured the national
existence and the liberty of every
human being in our midst AS Re-
publicans, we ought not to be salts
fed with merely referring to our
glorious party history and to the
conduct Of the Democratic party
during the war, but we should be
prepared to show that we are able to
meet new questions as they arise
with an enlightened craftsmanship,
not in advance with public opinion,
but in harmony with it. A party
must not follow in rusts or depend
upon names and cant phrases, but
must show an aptitude for public af-
fairs and must have at all times
courage to express its opinions and
take its position. Now it is easy to
show that the Democratic party
owes its long defeat to its depen
dence upon it's name and history
upon some cant phrases and base
prejudices against a negro, who
though not white man is still q
man, and upon the political power
of the most hideous institution thai
ever existed in a republic. The
Trinity of that party was Democ-
racy, Negro and Slavery.


The Republican party must learn
wisdom from the history of the ole
parties. While we are true to oul
principles, proud of our history, We
must look to the future and not de
pend upon our good work in the
past. What, then, are the issues
involved in this canvass that affect
our State or the nation! Fol-
though this is purely State con.
test, yet its influence extends tc
many national questions.


THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.


The first question is the proposed
amendment to the Constitution OF
the United States, called the 15tl
Amendment. This declare that nc
State shall deprive any citizen oI
the United States of his equal righ1
to vote by reason of race or color.
Why should race or color bt
made a ground of exclusion? L
the ballot is useful for any purpose
it is useful to the poor, the ignoran
and the lowly. 1t was designed tc
protect minoritics. Other forms O.
government protect the rich, pro
tect property, trade, commerce, in
dustry, and guard carefully the
rights of the selected few. The re
publican form of government is su
perior to other forms of govern
ment only as it extends to all alik'
equal protection and favor. If we
will not stand by the principle of 4:
republican government, why ther
shall we except only race compos
ing the Union OILY one-tenth o
your population, and in Ohio bu
one per cent of your population


Are they dangerous from their mum
bers, when no blacks are coming tt
US, and many going from US, whil'
our race is being swelled by an i'm
migration of which there is no par
allel in history? Are they turbu
lent, lawless, and violent? !? On tn,
contrary, if there is any peculiarit,
in their race it is their patience unde
wrong. Are they ignorant Yes
but what race under heaven woult
not be ignorant under the ostracisn
they have suffered; but they ar
now seeking and acquiring knowl
edge with the assiduity we alway
seek what is denied to us. Is ther
any man here now who fears tn
Democratic nightmare Of ANAL
gamation? That phantom shoult
now be laid at rest. The negro i
now free, and she can protect he
virtue. Amalgamstion was one o
the terrible evils of slavery, and dit
make it a daily affair of life for mel
to sell their own children as slaves
In the free States, amalgamatiol
was rare, and now in the Southern
States it is rare, compared TO tn
time of slavery. Does any man fea
the competition of negroes in th,
labor and employment Of life. Their
is work enough and to spare for all
Never was labor better rewarde,
than now. The rights of the labor
er, his pay, his time, his food, hi
comforts, were never more favora