The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-07-06
assume its rightful position before the
country? (Applause.)

assume its rightful position before the
country? (Applause.)
shall not attempt to forecast the
action OF this convention, of the perform,
prosperity has governed our country.
But whenever that flag has been drop
ped by the advance of republican power
sorrow and shame have been our con-
dition. (Applause.) May we not hope
now, after sixteen years of republican
power, that the democratic party may
ance ofthe duties which it is called upon
upon to perform, other than the nomina>
ton of president or vice president Of
the United States, or in the adoption OF
its platform. The rules by which this
convention is governed are such as to in
sure the nomination OF some gentleman
whose character and position as states
man and as an Individual is ripe, in the
experience OF one and pure and stainless
in his character in the other-who will
see that none other is nominated for
either Of those offices. As to the plat,
form, this convention will act wisely and
in accordance with the principle that
those are best governed who are least
governed. (Applause.) I doubS not
that much will be lett to the energy,
the management and the economy OF our
people and less to federal legislation tor
tie future government OF our country
have now the honor, in the name of
the national committee, to propose for
your temporary chairman Mr.. Henry VI.
Watterson. OF Kentucky. (Cheers.)
Mr.. Watterson was unanimously ell
ected temporary chairman, and Senator
BarnUm, of Connecticut, and Senator
Ransom, of North Carolina, were APP
pointed committee to conduct him to
the chair.
Mr.. Watterson assumed the chair, and
was received with cheers. Upon the
subsistence of the applause Mr.. Waiter
son addressed the convention as follows:
SPEECH OF HON. HENRY NJ. wATTERsoN.
Gentlemen of the Convention:
We are called together to determine
by our wisdom whether honest govern
ment, administered by honest men, shall
be restored to the American people, or to
decide by our folly that it is the destiny
of this country to pursue an endless,
ever.revolving circle of partisan passion
and corruption, until, with the loss Of
our national well-being, we lose the
poor mans last, best hope-civil liberty
itself. Every citizen ofthe republic, be
he of this party or the other, feels and
and has felt for many day the depress-
ing influence of what are called hard
times. We look about us and we see
neglected fields and vacant houses
The factory is closed; the furnace door
| s,,c lint ioAa IF 11o han H.,
The happy activity of prosperous life is
nowhere to be found. Loyalists tatten
whilst honest men starve. Empty the
mart and shipless the bay. What is it
that has wrought so great change in
the land, that under the rule of an in
telligent, progressive constitutional
party, advanced within half century
from the condition of huddle of petty
and squalid provincial sovereignties to
Il foremost place among the nations OF
the earth? The reason OF men must an
swer partisan misrule any sectional mis-
direction. The republicans, my friends,
are not alone responsible. With them
rest the disgrace; with us the follies.
The twin agents Of national mischance,
working under the miserable rule of con-
traries, have kept the people of the
north and south asunder, and have sup
piled sustenance to corruption. They
have disturbed values; they have unset
financial system cheat and snare
They have driven the best elements oil
political society into exile, and have or
ganixed charlatanism into sort OF pub
lie polity. enabling the rogue t. get q
cheap advantage Of his dupe, and sacri.
ficing every popular interest to the be-
hest Of that obligarchy, which has be-
come so encrusted with power as to be
lieve itself entitled to rule by the shee
force ofits own wrong doing.
, So much let us set down to the con
, venient pretext OF war; so much to thu
: long account OF damages between tn,
north and south. 1t is for you to 81,
J whether the same conflict, with conse
5 sequences multiplied and magnified
! shall. by any act of yours. be inaug.
ulated between the east and west.
shall not undertake on an occasion o
: this kind aud in presence so imposing
/ to enforce that familiar lesson OF mutua
! forbearance. Nobody doubts our capac
: ity to make a battle among ourselves
t Entreating YOU to direc. your energie
4 to the common enemy. ask indulgence
i only on my own behalf OF those VIII,
: have called me to place not merely o
9 distinction or difficulty ; to place whic
9 requires the best training OF better ma
!. than l. In taking it trust to your con
e fidence and good nature. and to hear
4 incapable of any unmanly or unfair ACT
Ii The work before US should relate 20 idea
: rather than,t individuals. It is the issue
q not the man. that should engage US. W
n have come here to make tho people:
e not our tight. tor free no less than fc
= honest government: for the reform {
|e the public service, and the regenera,io
Of the public morals; for administrative
a relief from administrative rihilism. em
l. braced in the simple creed OF home rul
; and reduced taxes. Ii anything come
: of the proceeding it must spring iro'
!. the spirit OF aspiration and FELLOWSHIP
"a which warned the followers Of Andre
a. jackson and Silas Wright, OF Hem