Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1878 — HON. WILLIAM H. CALKINS [ARTICLE]

HON. WILLIAM H. CALKINS

With perhaps two or three exceptions (which have not spoken at all on the subject) thej republican press of the tenth district unanimously favor the renomination to congress of our present delegate. As an independent journal The Union wouhT second their motion, and doing so submits its reasons for it. While Mr. Calkins is radically wrong'in his ideas upon the subject of a monetary system, being entirely too strongly indoctrinated witli the greenback heresy, he is right upon issues of graver, fundamental, and farther-reaching importance. It may as well be frankly conceded, because it is true, that a great majority of the people of tlie West are blinded to their true financial interests, which can be secured and reiidered permanent upon no other basis than one which is comparatively firm and unfluctuating, by tlie glittering theories and illusory promises of the soft-mon-ey apostles. The disease affects both the democratic and the republican

parties to such an extent in this district that it is doubtful if an advocate of a monetary system based upon sound doctrine and consistent with well-known laws tong since discovered could be elected to congress from it. While'this condition is much to be regretted, it exists, and it would be fatal to ignore it. Though severe and irritating the disease is not organic. Even the most rabid of the nationals will eventually recoveraild Wonder-at the wild phantasms of their bewildered imaginations. But time, gentleness and patience must be accorded to the sufferers. However, the financial problem is gradually working its ow.il cure. As before remarked, other questions of giayer import will command public thought. The revolutionary attitude of the democratic party towards the government, as indicated by the action* of ering majority of its representatives in congress, threatening as it does to overturn the administration, Mexicanize the republic, destroy peace and confidence, prevent prosperity, and plunge business into a chaotic state; not to name the vast accumulation of claims against the government, that have been introduced by democrats in congress for constituents who were rebels, for relief for losses of property while in arms against the government ; demands that the patriotic people of the nation be represented in that branch of the government by just such firm, positive and determined men as Col. Calkins; moil who have met democrats as rebels upon the bat-tle-field are the proper men to meet democ.ats as conspirators in legislative halls. Col. Calkins has made an excellent record- One of the youngest members of the House, he is also one of the most conspicuous, influential and popular of the new ones. He became a target for the hostile criticism 6T the democratic press early in the.iipeciail session last fall; the provocation- being l> iß advocacy of an army aufficfently large to protect the frontier from the depredations of

hostile savages and marauding bands of thieving Mexicans, and in tho event of a general cmeutc o(the communistic element that lh6 government might not bo wholly at tlie mercy of these red-handed bandits from the purlieus of European cities. Being revolutionary in disposition themselves, and at tlie very time, aq subse. quent acts show, conspiring against the president, of course they misrepresented and bitterly denounced him. Since that time he has often been under tlie fire of their hostile batteries, and each time bore himself so gallantly as to win the most flattering encomiums of those who were spectators of the wordy engagements. Only a few days since, in an encounter of this nature with Mr. Speaker Randall, the latter came out of the contest most beautifully flogged, as tlie more honest of his friends freely admitted.

Col. Calkhis" has faithfully performed tlie pledges made to the district before his election. While The Union seriously doubts the wisdom of some of those pledges, they represented unmistakably the wishes of a large majority of liis constituents of every party, and it honors him for his fidelity to them. He has labored most industriously to promote the welfare of his country, his constituency and ills party, as lie understood those interests to be, patriotic considerations ever being uppermost. To the state and district lie has been a credit, and is so recognized by liis peers. He has succeeded even beyond tlie expectation of his most sanguine personal friends in establishing a national reputation for devotion to principle and earnestness of purpose. He is one of tlie most popular, influential and useful of tlie new and young representatives. Precedent, partv policy, and the public good, unitedly urge his renomination and election. It is bruited by a democratic newspaper of his county that there will be a falling off' from his vote in LaPorte county, his home, if he receives tlie nomination again. Tlie report comes from a questionable source. If the paper believed its own statement it is too shrewd to publish it; it wants the republican vote of that county to melt away in order to increase the democratic majority there. It wants to defeat Col. Calkins to increase the revolutionary strength inebngress. If, as it says, there is disswition among tlie republicans of LaPorte county, why does it not glorify Providence and make the most of it? Why don’t it spit on its hands, slap its thighs and thank God for the fools that fight its battles while it takes the spoils ? This is no time for tlie republicans of Indiana to listen to democratic ad vice. Tlie democracy of this district hate Col. Calkins because Col. Calkins hated rebelsand don’t train witli conspirators and plotters of revolution. When a lad he successfully fought democrats with his sword, and since he grew to lie a man he lias waged just as efficient warfare against democrats with liis ballot, from tlie rostrum and as a leg-

islator. Careful inquiry lias failed to discover a republican voter in this county who is unfriendly to Col. Calkins, or dissatisfied with his course as a member of congress. The delegation of Jasper county, among whom is Mr. 8. P. Thompson who was a competitor for the nomination two years ago, will probably give Col. Calkins their cordial, earnest, unhesitating, unanimous vote; and if he is nominated by the convention he will surely carry our county by a majority at least twen-ty-five per centum larger than, his majority in 1876, which was 341. '

President Hayes has treated his political enemies with more than charity; he has been magnanimous to a fault. He restored local government to the southern states ui>on their own terms; he has counseled with democrats; he has appointed democrats to office; he has introduced them into his official household and given them a representation in his cabinet. He has warmed the treacherous viper in his bosom and the accursed creature would now'stlnghlm. The democratic party would brand their friend with infamy. They would disgrace him before his countrymen and the world as a criminal and an usurper. Such is democratic gratitude. Buch is democratic justice. This is what they meant when they plead to let by-gones be by-goues; when they proffered their hands all dripping with the gore of the loyal to be shaken over the graves of our comrades; when they, plead to be trusted with a new lease of power. President Hayes has surely been betrayed, and the democracy is just as rebellious as it was in 1860.

Col. Healey’s organ at Good land don't like to be called a copperhead sheet. Well, let Col. Healey's organ quit training with copperheads, defending copperheads, and lying like copperheads. known bv the company they keep. If Col. Healey’s organ don’t want to be called a copperhead sheet, let it quit abusing republicans without provocation, simply because republicans; and then avoid copperhead company.