Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1871 — Gen. Washburn’s Speech. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Washburn’s Speech.

The following is General Washburn’s speech on accepting the nomination for Governor of Wisconsin: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of this Convention : I should be greatly wanting in sensibility did I not deeply feel and gratefully acknowledge my obligations for this manifestation of your confidence and regard. A committee of this convention has informed me that it has been your pleasure to place me in nomination as your candidate for Governor. In appearing before you to signify my acceptance of that nomination, I beg to return you my most candid thanks—thanks that can find poor expression in words. I accept the nomination in the confident hope that I may be of real service to the people of the State, in' the event of ray election, and I pledge you my best efforts to serve the State, and promote its prosperity, honor and happiness; and, so far as depends on tne, I can promise equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. [Applause.j lam well aware that to fill a position that has been so ably and satisfactorily filled heretofore is not an easy task; but, sustained and guided by your generous confidence and support. I shall hope to so act, in case of my election, as to cause none of you to regret this day’s action. [Applause. | But, gentlemen, you have other duties to perform, and here I ought to stop and permit you to finish the work you have begun, and I will detain you, but* a moment, that I may congratulate you on the general prosperity of the country and the brilliant prospects of our party, both State and national, in the future. The administration of our State Government has been such that I hear no complaint anywhere outside of the Demo orattc platform. Every department of the State Government has been filled ably, honestly, and efficiently, and the people desire no change. [Applause.] The National Administration, in all its essentials for tho public care, has been a great success; for though it may be true than there are persons—and some good and true—that feel aggrieved b.cause their ccuusels have not received the conside ration to which they were, perhaps, entitled, tho public care little for matters Of a personal character. They look for results, and those results are eminently satisfactory, aud satisfy the people that the Administration is wise, humane, economical, honest and efficient. [Applause ) I need not recall what it has ac cjmpiiahed. The whole country, save in a few distiicts where the Ku Klux Democracy predominate, is at peace, prosperous, and happy. All the Bta'es are restored to their proper places ia Ihe Union, and the government so strong and so firmly established in the affections of the people that it can safely defy all assaults, either from within or without, and can now, in a spirit of charity, Without wakening and without haz.nl to tho principles of universal libtrty, proclaim universal amnetty throughout all our borders. [Applause.] Our relations with foreign nations are of the most satisfactory character, and never was our country more honored and respected abroad than now. The Alabama difficulty, which threatened the peace of the two most powerful nations of the earth, has b icn settled in a manner entirely satisfactory aud in every way honorable to us. [Applause,] Public burdens have been lightened by constantly diminishing taxation; revenues hr ne3fly collected and applied; the fiuhlic debt largely reduced, and the pubic credit greally advanced and constantly improving; an Indian policy wise and humane adopted, by which Indian wars are avoided and the great drains on the * public treasury to maintain them; the laws faithfully executtd for tho protection of tho weak and powerful allkc. These are some of the fruits of a Republican Administration. Is it any wonder that the people are satisfied, and desiro no change? i n a WO rd, our administration been wise, so just und satisfactory, and the principles of our party are so much m accord wit It the enlightened spirit of the age, that we have seen our adversaries in many places endeavoring to slough off tleir old disloyal coverings, abandoning their rotten platform, and their principles, accused of Gcd Sand man, and making a New Departure. [App'ause] It St a* time for them to depart [applause], and those who are honest in taking leave of their principles and their sins will no doubt be found acting with us, and helping to swell our majorities. Those who are not honest will endeavor to cheat the people Into the belief that they have met witjj £ change of heart. [Laughter.] Can It be possible that a great party can change its principles in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and bd*honest* To state the question is to answer it. You might as well expect the Ethiopian to change his skin' or the leopard hie spots. The dls-

guise is too tldii. The peoplo will not he deceived, but Will adhere to the party that has proved enuul to every emergency. [Applause.] Tho Democracy having nominated, as a candidate for Governor, a gentleman for whoiwT'have a warm personal regard, who, it is understood, proposes to canvass the State, I shall lose no time in inviting him to meet me in joint discussioh. [Loud applause.] And as he is a gentleman of great experience and eloquence, and has seen many sides of many questions [laughter], I shall hope that we may have a canvass that will be both interesting and instructive. [Applause.] :. But i will detain you no longer than to again thank you for tho great honor you have done me. [Applause.]