Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1873 — Senator Morton in the Ohio Canvass. [ARTICLE]

Senator Morton in the Ohio Canvass.

The first speeches of the Ohio campaign, on the Republican side, were made at the town of Athens, on Saturday, by Senator Morton, of Indiana, and Governor' Hexes._.The- Senator opened with the proposition that new parties - cannot - be made to order by conventions or resolutions, nor are they made necessary by the presentation of new issues, with which existing parties are able to grapple, but they must be the outgrowth of great events, or entirely new conditions. As nothing of this sort is presented by the present political situation, and as the old Democratic party—after wasting a year or two in considering the propriety of allowing the organization to die the death which should be the just penalty of its treason and blunders—has resolved to take the field once more, with all its past crimes and follies emblazoned upon its standard, Mr. Morton naturally and properly devoted a Considerable share of his speech to a review of its record and the platform of the Ohio Convention. The party, he says, “admits no change, professes no regeneration,- proclaims its ancient heraldry and principles, and stands before us as the hateful thing it was during the war and for ten years before.” The principles inscribed upon its banners arc—The resolutions of ’9B—no coercion of States—no power to suppress rebellion—opposition to the constitutional amendments —nullification of the reconstruction laws —a white man’s government—no national unity, but sovereign and independent States. These being the standard doctrines of the party, and its members having freshly proclaimed their allegiance to it, there is nothing for the Republicans but to accept the issue and fight it over again, be the task ever so irksome. But the Democratic leaders put forth some few new claims to public approval. They "demand that the public lands be reserved exclusively for actual settlers—which is cool to frigidity for a party that, when it had the power, resolutely and continually rejected every proposition to give free homes to actual settlers. They oppose laud grants—but the Democracy made the first grants to railroads; invented the subsidy system, in fact, and maintained it while they controlled Congress, and, since they have fallen into the minority, have supported the worst grants that have been made. They have no financial policy, as a party. Some of the leaders oppose and some favor banks; some demand immediate return to specie payments, and others want a permanent greenback currency. In 1868 they resolved in favor of “incidental protection last year they ran a high-tariff Presidential candidate; and now the Ohio men declare free trade a “fundamental principle ofthe party,” and insist on making it an issue in a mere State election. The Democrats make bitter charges of corruption and extravagance, and demand retrenchment and reform; but they have no specific plans to present. And while they charge that the country is on the high road to ruin, the fact is that the nation- at large is prosperous beyond parallel, and the contentment, progress and elevation of the people undisputed. There are complaints of extortionate charges by railroads; of depression of the manufacturing interests; and of distress and lack of development at the south. But while the Democrats merely grumble about these things—for the last named they are above all others responsible—the Republicans have appointed commissions - of Inquiry, —and ; earnestly set about finding the proper remedy for any wrongs that may exist. The policy of the Republicans has re dneed the public debt $880,000,(MM) since 1)1 :tch, 1869, reduced taxation §130,000,000 a year, and given stability and confi.' dence to the country. It has settled our .difficulties with England; provided for the reform of admitted evils in the civil service; and so administered the government that there are now fewer defalcations, less malfeasance in office, and more fidelity to official duty than at any former period. Referring to the “salary grab,” Mr. Morton showed that the pay of members of Congress has been increased on five different occasions, and always, as last spring, the increased pay had dated back to the beginning of the Congress. Nevertheless, the Senator condemns the principle on which this has been done, because the service was actually rendered under a law fixing the old rate, and the people regard the increase as payment of money without consideration. For himself, he had not taken the back pay and never expects to. Reverting to the railroad quos-* lion, he claimed that Congress had constitutional power to establish suph regulations for great through lines as will contribute to the safety of passengers, and the speedy, certain and- equitable transportation of freights, and insure the more complete adaptation, of the railroad system to the wants and interests of the people. Railroads are highways; the companies are common carriers, and for’breach-Of their duties as such, the law provides equitable remedies. As' it is difficult for private persons to assert their rights against these great corporations, Congress or the State Legislatures may provide additional facilities therefor, and may ordain proper penalties for extortion. Giving a moment’s attention to the Democratic scheme for using the Granges so divide and destroy the Republican party—a project to which the fanners" are ' Too intelligent To Tend" themselves—the Senator closed with a ’ brtef review of the work of the Republicans in future. The party must look to the execution of the laws and the enforce.

ment of the Constitution in every part of the nation; protect the colored people in the enjoyment of their civil and political rights; provide for gradual return of specie payment., the restoration of foreign commerce, and the better regulation of commerce between the States; adjust the tariff primarily for revenue, but so that neither domestic nor foreign manufacturers shall monopolize the markets; consider the grievances of Western agriculturists, and furnish such remedies as may lie within the jurisdiction of Congress or the States; amend the Constitution so as to cure the defects in the present method of electing Presidents and Vice-Presi-dents; and, while asserting the just powers of the National Government, ever be vigilant to preserve in all their just extent the rights and powers of the States.— Chicago Post.