Year: 1874

At a meeting of the adherents


Of the new political movement
in Missouri to ratify the nomina-


tions made by the Peoples conven-


tions, so called, one of the speakers was


Senator Carl Schurz, who, after stating


that he expects in few days to pre-


sent his views upon national and State


questions at length, spoke as fol-


lows:


Tonight l am here only to declare


that the Peoples movement, which has


made Major Gentry its standard-bearer


and candidate for the Governorship,


has nv earnest sympathy, and will


have my active support. AS l under.
stand this movement, it is not designed
and does not pretend to be the nucleus
or starting point Of new national


party. Its ambition is more modest,


but none the less praiseworthy. 1t is
simply an uprising Of the honest, sub
stantial citizens, the farmers and the
laborers and the business men of Mis-
souri,, to rescue the State from the
wrongs and dangers Of relentless par
tisan ring rule. Men whose names have
for many years not been heard in poll
tics or parties, but now feel deeply the
evils we are suffering and the necessity
of a change, have to this end stepped
to the front and taken the lead. With
firm resolution they have united for a
common effort. that every citizen of
Missouri, whatever his nationality Or
creed, or calling or party affiliations,
shall be made secure in his life and
property.


The shameless and alarming brigand-
age and rufianism which so long have
been permitted to disgrace the name of
the State in the eyes Of the civilized
world, and frightened away immigra-
ton from our border, will be at last
rooted out with strong hand, that the
farmer may feel safe again in the soli-
tude Of his forest or prairie home, and
that the traveller may be on all the
highways and byways of the State,
without fear of assault and robbery;
that the laws be enforced vigorously
and impartially, without regard to
personal or local feeling, or party in
fuence. not only in hollow profession,
but in perfect good faith and and in
honest fact; that every cent of the
public money be used, not for the bene-
fit of the Office holders, but for the ben
fit of the people who pay the taxes
that the government of the State be
conducted not with view to party in
terest, but with single eye to the re-
form of existing abuses, and to the pro-
motion Of the public welfare, and that
the government be inspired. not by
ceaseless yearnings for revenge, but by
earnest, answering determination to
secure good order, equal justice and the
revival of fraternal feeling among all
our people.


Do you want government fitted to
accomplish so important and praise
worthy an end! Then choose among
those in prospect one that owes its
origin and election to no partisan
cliques, and will be moved and con-
trolled by no partisan intrigues
and aspirations. Do you want
officers fitted to administer the govern
ment in such spiriti Here is one
candidate for the Governorship who, for
no reason but the purity and energy of
his character, was called forth by the
unanimous voice of the supporters of
the peoples movement, without dis
tinction of part, and who, when elect
ed, will have no claim on his gratitude
to recognize but that Of the honest,
generous and patriotic spirit which
raised him to official dignity and power.
Greet our standard bearer here as the
honored and trusted representative of
the idea that Missouri is to be no longer
the property of party ring, but shall
and must be the property of the peo-
pie.


Touching the platform copied by the
Peoples Convention. he said he heartily
endorsed every word relating to State
affairs, as a promise of government
worthy the character of the future
great Keystone state of the Union.
the recommendations con-
corning national questions, he said it is
not satisfactory to me; neither is it
discouraging. 1t is not consistent;
neither does it preclude argument. AS
to the financial question, it may be said
to sit on the fence. Among others
shall make an honest effort to help it
down on the right side, and / am conf
dent the State of Thomas H. Benton
will in the end not repudiate one of the
most honorable and glorious of its ira
ditions.


The Senator then stated that he
had been charged with setting the peo-
ple's movement on foot, or causing
it to be done, for promo
ting his personal interests. This he de-
MED absolutely and unqualiiedly, and
said he carefully abstained from taking
my part in originating it, that it might
not have personal character. He had
40 communication with it, either direct |
u indirect, Their purposes and &C
lions we're unknown to him. He stood |
IS private individual in advocacy of
he movement. My support, he said. |