Year: 1871




The Central Republican Association of Ham
iton County Ohio whose "Declaration OF principles
was recently published. held its first public meeting IN
Cincinnati on Wednesday evening The hall was hlied,
says The Gazette with the most substantial and thousn
full men OF the city OF both parties with decideu pre-
ponderance OF Republicans There seems TO nave Deeh
little enthusiasm manifested, but patient, though'u'
and intelligent attention given to the SPEAKERS VIII
moderate applause.


Judge Stanley Matthews President OF the Assocatlon'
called the meeting order and was the first speaker
He said he would explain the necessity and objects OF
the Association Its published declaration sets fortn
four propositions The first Ia declaration IN iayor ..
general amnesty. The second is declaration IN aYor
OF duties for revenue distinguished from protection
The third declaration IN favor OF ClVl service Iu
l9rm Inc fourth proposition Is that lne d and
silver, and convertible into specie at the WI WI,
of the holder. Judge Matthews then referred td
10 the allegation somewhat broadly thrown
out that the members OF the Central Republican Asso-
citation t from tho m Pa
to the Republican party SO clearly and deeisyey tnat
whenever any member OF the Association snail eease m
Association. Judge Matthews said he was Republican
and was proud OF the fact within reasonaole os 40
political partsanshp but he insisted that there must
-e limit to such partsanship, unless we consent 70
make 10 altogether agent Of evil. They set out he
said with affirming their determination TO maintain the
great results OF tho Of the Rebellion, 10 wits The
integrity OF the Union and the hdety OF all men beiore
the aw without distinction OF race, color or condition
They were In favor OF maintaining the right OF every
every State and in every corner Of every State OF the
Union. To accomplish this they were in favor, as one
great of general amnesty OF wping out now all
distinction on account OF past political oiense me
speaker then spoke OF the tariff He denied the night of
the Government TO levy tariff to take money out OF
the pocket OF one citizen and put it in the pocket OF
another citizen"


And especially was the speaker opposed to levying a
tariff which should put s. In the pockets OF the capital
lists and speculatOrs to every dollar would add 10
the revenue Then, too an rredeemabie currency was
unmitigated evil


Judge Matthews then said the right Of the gentlemen
composing the Republican association to express ther
opinion or give their advice to the Republican party mas
been by person sneeringy called In question: Iey
and to express his own opinions II the President has
the right 10 prOmugate policy 30 has every memDer


divide It. proposed advocate the propositions they
had advanced and if they got majority with them
making these measures party measures. ,,


Ex-Secretary Cox also addressed the meeting He sald
he believed In free discussion In political anars Inc
who waited on a. caucus or convention for MS
opinions was mental slave He said he had Deen
unfortunate enough TO differ considerably win many
prominent Republicans TO the best mode OF smoothing
over the rough places left by the war; He agreed win
Cow Andrew in his last inaugural that as early az poss
BILE should bring to help In settling the affairs at
the South, the wealth, intelligence, and character
that section Gov. Cox said 1t was mistake not TO
follow Gov. Andrews advice, and secure That ad Dy
general amnesty. We could not punish the great mass
The true policy was to SO treat the innuenal whi{e men
OF the South as TO put upon them the responsibility OF
the condition Of things there.


Gov Cox then passed 10 the discussion Of the Tariff
He was opposed TO fostering by hotbed growth any
system OF industry at the public expense" Al tne
attempts at enforced methods OF protection had been
failures. He spoke very briefly OF cyilseryce reform
AS TO the currency, what wanted was tXed system
by which we could know where were going TO come
out; that is say, definite understanding as 10
return to specie payment. lie said his purpose was now
to show that these were questions Mt or discussion
among Republicans rather than 10 enter fully upon that
discussion. -,


Peter H. Clark, prominent colored Republican OF Gin
cinnat followed Secretary Cox, cOnnlng his attention
O the subject OF general amnesty He urged the neces
sty of this policy, and was heartily applauded Judge
Coffin remarked that the Association was an open one,
and free every Republican who would sign the decar
alton OF principles. Letters received from the
Hon Horace White OF Chicago, Geo VIM Curtis OF New
York Messrs. Foett of Sandusky, Kellogg OF brooklyn
Bowes Of Springfield and others, approving the pur
noses of the Association.