The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-07-13


Speech of Frederick Hassaurek at the
Tilden Ratification Meeting at Gin.
cinnati.
To Columbus, out at sea for many
weary days, deserted by his men, as
sailed by mutiny, threatened with failure,
sick at heart and nearly hopeless. the
glorious shout of Land-ho from the
masthead could hardly have been more
welcome than to those who believe in the
Jefersonian idea of government as the
only possible salvation of this Republic
must have been the glad tidings which,
after many years of hope deferred and
patient waiting, have at last come to us
from St. Louis. At time when the po-
litical life of the country was at its
worst; at time when the Democratic
party seemed to have completely forgot
ten its origin, its traditions, and the great
truths to which it owed all it's usefulness
and fidelity to principle; at a time when
the paternal idea of government, with
its corruptions and wastefulness, seemed
to have full and irresistible sway over the
American people, at time when there
seemed tc be nothing in politics but a
disgusting, brutal and demoralizing
struggle for the spoils, without ideas,
without principles, without living ques-
ton at issue at time when the ma
chine politicians of both parties seemed
to have tacit understanding that vital
differences of opinion must be cautiously
and studiously ignored, instead of being
boldly met and discussed in manly and
patriotic spirit; at time when the best
men of the land, the men of thought and
opinions, had begun to shrink from pub
lie life-at this time, as sad and trying as
during our revolutionary days, the win
ter of Valley Forge, at this time the glad
tidings came, came Unexpectedly, came
like the morning dawn of brighter fu-
ture, came like the message of Jessie
Brown at Lucknow Dinna ye hear the
slogan?" and with them hope returns to
our breast, hope for the Republic, hope
for the cause of popular government,
hope for the final asCendenCy of reason
and justice among men. ..
THE PLATFORM.
The platform adopted at st. Louis is
the best have read since l began to read
political platforms. If better one has
ever been adopted by any political Con-
vention, am not aware of it. 1t evades
nothing. 1t lodges nothing. It uses nc
| duplicity or prevarication. 1t contains a
full and complete answer to every ques-
ton that may directly or indirectly be
drawn into the coming discussions. II
is the first truly honest and manly polit-
ical platform that | have read. It is the
most outspoken that l have read. 1t is
the most inspiring that have read. II
is the best speech that can be made du.
ring the campaign. Let it be read at al
our meetings. Let it be printed in mill
ions of copies and scattered broadcast
over the land.
THE MONSTER OF INIQUITY
1t recalls the Democratic party to its
better self 1t brings it back to the old
landmarks from which it should nevei
have departed. 1t rallies it to battle
against that monstrous system of inius
| tice, iniquity, exortion and grinding op
4 preston which is known by the false anC
| delusive name of " Protection to Ameri
can Industry" That system is perver
sion of all sound principles of govern
ment. tits the fountain-head of politica
corruption. 1t is a crying abuse of the
powers of taxation. Like hideoui
vampire it has rested upon the breas
and sucked the life-blood of the people
1t is one of the main causes, if not tht
main cause, of our hard times and bus
mess depression. 1t has shut US ou
from the markets of the world. 1t ha'
destroyed our shipping and driven oul
carrying trade into British bottoms, un
der the lying pretense Of protecting
American labor. 1t has wiped our faf
and our commerce from the high seas
1t has paralyzed our industry and dis
abled us from competing with foreign
products and manufactures, boih at home
and abroad. It has increased the costs
of living to an intOlerable extent. 1t has
impoverished the many for the benefit
of the few. 1t has corrupted and de-
moralized our Congress. 1t has dimin-
ished instead of increasing our revenue
1t is based upon a policy of Chinese
walls, which has long since been con.
demned by modern science and enlight.
ened political economy 1t is incompat.
ible with reason, justice and Democracy
1t is a fraud and a sham. 1t is worse
than highway robbery, beca1seits crimes
are committed by the Government,
against which the people are helpless.
For this system the Republican party
is responsible. 1t has fastened it upon
the country, 1t has refused to modify il
in the right direction. 1t has increased
instead of tightening its burthens. 1t is
committed to its defense and -mainten-
ance. In this respect the Republican
party is the successor of the old Whig
party, as King StOrk Was the successor, Of
King Log. For years the Democratic
party, standing ia bootless fear of Penn
sylvania, had not dared to give sound
utterance on this question. 1t had not
dared to be true to its own better self.
but had denied its principles and their
logical consequences as Peter denied
Christ. But at last the man of courage
and convictions came, and made the
party speak. 1t has spoken Gods glori-
ous truth, and its bold speech will be an
swered, like the signal of Rhoderick Dhu,
in the Highlands, by thousands of ear
nest men ready and eager for the fray.
From shingles gray their lances start
The bracken bush sends forth the DART
The rushes and the willow wand
Are bristling into ak and brand
And every tuft Of broom giveslife,
To plaided warrior, armed for strife
1t has been objected that the tariff
question is not at issue in this campaign.
But you may rest assured that it will be
made an issue, and will have become an
issue before we are six weeks older.
The workingmen who are out of employ
ment, while the costs of living are intol-
cradle; the merchants who are unable
to make expenses; the farmers who can
hardly make enough to pay their taxes;
the manufacturers who cannot sell what
they produce, will demand settlement
of the tariff question the moment their
eyes are opened. You must consider
that the generation now living has never
heard a thorough and searching discus
III IL. II 4 .