Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1876 — THE GREAT BATTLE FIELD. [ARTICLE]

THE GREAT BATTLE FIELD.

Among the champions ot democracy of national rejnutaxion who are to make public speechei in Indiana during the pending campaign arc: Senator Doolittle, of Wiaeonainj koo. John R. Farnsworth, of THlnots; Hon. J. I*. Book and Robert Mallory, of Kentucky; Senator AUen tt. Thurman, Gen. Thomas Rwing and lion. William Allen, of Ohio; Gov. Andrew G. Curtin and Hon. Samuel Randall, of Pennsylvania; Gov. Parker, of New Jersey; Hon. Horatio Seymour, Man ton Marble, Hon. S. S. Cox, Senator Francis Kernan and Gen. Frants Sigel, of New York; Charles Francis Adams and Gov. Gaston, of Massachusetts. Indiana is to be the most closely contested state of the Union; the scene of the fiercest battle oi the campaign. Already has the state ticket of each of the three parties been weighed, condemned, remodeled and strengthened; now comes the final, mighty, terrific struggle of tho two great parties for possession of the vantage ground which in October will virtually decide the presidential contest. Tho eyes of the whole nation will be tnrnod upon the voters of Indians for six weeks to come; and this is no time to falter or turn aside after false issues. The contest lies between the republican party aud the democratic party upon the vital question which separated them with breastworks and hostile picket lines from 1861 to 1865. He who votes with the democracy in 1876 votes theoretically and practically to annul what was only aitaiued by four years of civil war and eleven years oi subsequent stern and toilsome legislation. Every vote for Messrs. Tiljden and Hendricks is a vote for the doctrine of state sovereignty and iJic scores of direful evils which are attached to its train; and every man wiiq has hitherto acted with the republican party, as a soldier oy a voter, who is now seduced by specious promises of the Peter Cooper follower?, gives half a vote to pronounce the verdict of “wrong” upon what he did to preserve the Union one and indivisible when it yras assaulted by the rebellious clement of the South. It is a time when ipen yho are loyal in sentiment—who desire the perpetuation ot froe institutions—who believe that all men were endowed by their Creator with jLhe inalienable rights of life, liberty,' to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, and the pursuit of happiness —who believe this noble doctrine as a practical golden feet, and not a glittering theory—who accept the result of the war as a final decision in the negative of the pernicious doctrine of states rights—who believe it would be wrong and dangerous to curtail the elective franchise as now guaranteed by the amended constitution—who are in favor of wholesome laws for the restraint of vicious practices and evil passions—who would see the free school system ot our country buttressed by constitutional enactment against possible injury from any storm of sectarian fury that may arise—it is a time, we believe, when people friendly to these sentiments should pause in their opposition, if they do oppose it, to the grand old party whieh is founded upon these ennobling and elevating principles, which has so boldly and so ardently advocated them before mankind, which has successfully defended them against all enemies, and which has cultured them with kindly care until they have attained proportions whose magnificence fill with marvel and admiration the civilized people of earth. No other party can share in the honor of the work accomplished in this direction for sixteen years past; because the only other party existing during that period opposed this work by the ballot, by the bullet and by legislation. To the republican party alone, as a political organisation, despite its errors, its faults aud its mistakes, belongs this transcendent glory. This is not the hour to brood over personal grievances or private wrongs. The welI tre of a great nation is in the bai Elites as surely as it was twelve

years ago. The same men, the name section, and the same polltical party which opposed President Lincoln are .opposing Mr. Ilsyes on the same great question and supporting Mr. Tildcn. Individuals have chauged from one side to the other, in both directions, but the issue is the same now as then.

Who will cato for Major now? Tus Rexsxilakr Usios Um come out for Uay«s ud WWw; and, wo are told, t* opposing old Bean Wolcott. — Krntland (}a:ettr. Where is the wit, tho sense, or the propriety of such low-flung pothouse language? What advantage is it to thq republican party for the editors of its recognized organs to hurl foul-mouthed epithets at prominent members of the opposition parties? Mr. Wolcott and Mr. Major are each tho peer of any gentleman in the United States in the matter ot respectability. Neither of them have ever been gnilty of crimes against mankind or of violating the laws of the state. Roth are moral men, honorable nud upright in their dealings with their fellows. Both move in good society, and command the respect of good people where they reside. It is true they do not think as the Gazette, the republican party, or as The Union does on political questions; but to differ from us is their right, thanks to the spirit of our government, and no crime. Resides this no man, no human institution, is infalible, and it may be possible that the Gazette , the great republican party and The Union may have espoused the erroneous side ot the question, while Messrs. Wolcott and Major are right. But be this as it may, billingsgate is very weak argument, having a tendency to barm the cause which indulges in the use of it more than those against-whom it is directed. The republican party ought to be successful this fall because its principles and policy are calculated to be more beneficial to the country in general than the principles and policy of the southern democrats who arc at the head and front of those* who oppose it, and not because Mr. Wblcott plants a crop of beans on liis farm or because Mr. Major is in favor of the interconvertible bond theory of finance.

Democrats, independent-green-back* and their newspapers are continually saying that the election of Mr Hayes would he only the continuation of Grantism. If by that they mean that rebels are to be compelled to rejmqn in obscurity until such time as they shall have thoroughly repented of their heinous crime of rebellion, if they mean that the democratic party is to be kept in the background until it leases to nominate rebel sympathisers and advocates c e the pernicious doctrine of state rights for the presidency, if they mean that it will establish and perpetuate the civil and political rights of all men regardless of color or previous condition, if they mean that it will establish our free school system on an enduring foundation, it they mean that it will preserve the commercial hcno,r of the natiou, if they mean that it will guarantee the protection of the American flag to citizens of foreign birth, if they mean that all laws of congress will be fearlessly executed, if they mean that it will be a perpetual guarantee of a republican form of government to every state in the Union, then amen! Let os elect Mr. Hayes and endnre Grantism another term.

Senator Booth, of California, whom the independent-greenback party tendered a nomination on their ticket for the vice presidency, has pronounced for Hayes and Wheeler, thus setting a good example for all other independent voters to follow who are opposed to re-establishing the old democratic party in power unpurified of its falacies, its <ins and its bloody crimes. Senator Booth has promised to speak at fonr or five places in Indiana, his native state, before returning to California where he will also take die stump for the republican party. Morrison u as different from old Uncle Jimmy Williwn? as white is from black— South Bend. Herald (dent). So it ip said—“os different as white is /ram Uaek. m Being a reformer, twu. ' *4

It is claimed for Mr. Tllden by his admirers that he ie a great political reformer. But the present generation have witnessed" a reformation of gigantic proportions begun, prosecuted and accomplished before his face in which ho did not participate; indeed in spite of his ODpoaitiou to it. This was a reformation which restored peace to a eouutry distracted by civil war, gave freedom to four millions of human slaves, and compelled avast army of rebels to lay down their arms and become the loyal subjects of just laws. Neither Mr. Tilden, nor Mr. Hendricks, nor Mr. James D. Williams lias any lot, part, share or inheritance in tho credit or glory of this great politioal reformation of the century.

Gov. Noyes thinks “it was no “disgrace to Rutherford B. Hayes “to wear the bloody shirt when the “rebel bullets went crushing through “his blood and bone and a broken “arm hong by his side, as he led “bis brave boys on.” The immaculate, diamond-studded shirts of Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks were never soiled in that manner.

Speaker Michael C. Kerr died at Alum Springs, Virginia, last Saturday night. lie was about fortynine years old. His public life consisted of two terms in the legislature of Indians, reporter of the supreme court of this state, representative in congress several terms, and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since last winter.

That narrow gauge railroad, which Dr. Ilaymond wrote to the papers of this district about before he was renominated for congress, to be constructed from Washington City via Indianapolis, Delphi, Monticello and Rensselaer, to Chicago, is not likely to be completed in season to return him to Washington this fall.

Mr. Andrew Hall, of Kentlaml, was nominated for representative in the state legislature, by the republicans of Benton and Newton counties, in convention at Goodland last Thursday. He is t a gentleman ol more than average politioal sagacity, will be an able representative, and is morally certain of an election. 1

Among the political advertisements m another column will be found the call for a mass convention of the independent-greenback party of the 10th congressional district, to be held at Michigan City, September sth, lor the purpose of nominating a candidate for congress.

Mr. J. J. Talbott, the celebrated temperance lecturer who occupied the court house in Rensselaer two years ago, has been expelled from the Good Templar’s society for drunkenness. He was Grand Worthy Chief of the order in Indiana.

Read the political annoqncements in the advertising columns of thi9 paper. People in she neighborhood of these evening meetings are requested to assemble at an early hour and attend to lighting up the houses.

Hon. Wm. D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, will open his campaign labors in Indiana for the republican party, with a speech at Indianapolis on the 4th of September. ' :

A democratic local speaker of Pulaski county insists that the yearly expenses olthis government are four hundred millions of dollars. How is that for high?

Gen. Harrison has for years had a law practice which was worth from SIO,OOO to $12,000 a year. He is a man who basso expensive vices. He neither drinks, gambles nor runs after the women. He is not extravagant himself, nor is bis family eytrayagaut. yet he is comparatively a poor ryan. Until quite recently he liyed i.n a modest, oldfashioned frame bouse. The secret ofit all isthatthis cold blooded man has all this time been supporting and educating a number cf relatives. If a warm-blooded man had done this it wqpld have been considered commendable; but can any good come out of a coldblooded man ?— lndianapoii? Herald.