Year: 1871

currency we have ever had, merely
because it was established by the
Republican party. Though the
first commercial nations Of the world
are appIauding it, and following our
example; though Governor Chase,
now one Of their candidates, father
ed it and supports it; though no
man has lost a dollar as the holder
OF a National bank note, yet they
would derauge all the business of
the country by uprooting the sys-
tenn, merely because there is suppOs-
ed to be virtue in a party cry against
banks. They talk about a reveaue
tariff, and wise tax laws, and yet no
member of their party in Congress
ever proposed either, but oppose ev-
cry measure offered by US. When
we repeal eighty millions Of taxes,
they vote against it. When we de-
wise new guards against fraud, they
vote against them. They talk about
economy, and yet they vote for ev'
cry extravagant expenditure. They
would load US down with rebel
losses in the war. They seize upon
every popular cry--here one thing
and there another. In Ohio it is
greenbacks, in New York it is specie
payments, in Pennsylvania it is pro-
lection here it is a New Departure
in the South it is perpetual war
against the amendment and death
to the negro. With the Irish it is
Fenianism. In Kentucky it is the
Resolutions of '98, slightly revised !;
with JEFF. Davis and his powerful
following it is discOrd, war and dis
union.


Let any impartial man look over
the whole field of National and
State politics-Iet him look at the
dangerous elements comprising that
party-let him consider what they
would probably do if placed in pow
er--Iet him combine in one cauI-
dron all the ingredients, and say
upon his oath, is it wise and polite
yet to turn over to the Democratic
party the administration Of the af-
fairs of a great nation like ours


When, on the other hand, we
turn to the great political organi-
cation to which we belong, we may
find shadows and clouds, but the
general policy of the Republican
-party has been ele7atiug, manly
and successful. Above all we
have extended to all our inhabi-
tants liberty and equality, before
the courts and the law, in civil and
political rights. Our policy has
strengthened the power of the na-
ton without sacrificing the Rights
Of the States. The increased pow
ers Of the nation all inuro to the
benefit of the individual citizen, for
the sole object of it all is to enable
US to protect the citizen from local
injustice and outrage. We have a
strong Government, whose wide
reaching hand shields and protects
the humbIest citizen, and yet the
power of the State to educate and
foster-tO protect and encourage
to punish and reward all its citizens
is unimpaired. We have now such
Union as George Washington de-
scribed in his farewell address, with
nothing to threaten it but the de-
caying embers of the rebellion


We need to pass no resolution to
assure any one that we will stand
by and enforce the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments. We proposed them, we ad-
vocated them, and, while supported
by the people, will enforce them.
That we have been liberal to van
quished foes, is shown by the fact
that after waging a war of uneXam-
pied proportions, no blood was shed
for political offenses. No property
has been con6scated. Many of the
leading rebels are now protected
in the secure enjoyment of large
estates, and show their gratitude
for our generosity by kissing on
disguised murderers and outlaws to
the murder and scourging Of poor
negroes and preachers and teach
ers. We conferred franchises
upon millions, but we deprived no
one of any right they had before
the war, except only that we for
babe, for q time, the leading rebels
Of the South from holding office,
This was the extent Of our punish
ment. l have been disposed to par
don even this, but after recent de-
velopments, I will not vote to re-
lieve from any disability such men
as. Davis and Toombs, who are to.
tally incapable of approaching
generosity. L never questioned the
Justice of excluding these men
from Office, but I would, if theil


conduct would ever allow it, make


our treatment OF them so generous


and forgiving, that history nevol


could surpass it. The Republican


party from its very nature could


not be cruel and aggressive. We


have so many humanitariana
among US that they often demand


amnesty when punishment is re-
quired. We fought for the liberty


of others, and for ting union Of all,
and could not logically deprive
any one of either libery or civil OF
political rights, except as the pub
lie safety clearly demanded it. II
wo have erred IL has been in nm