The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-05-20

Committee, the National Convention OF
the Independent party met in session in
indianapolis, May 18th, for the purpose
of placing in nomination candidates for
the position Of President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States
At ten minutes to IL the convention was
called to order by the Hon. Moses W.
Field, of Detroit, Chairman of the Ma
tional Executive Committee. He said
Before proceeding to business We will
ask the Rev. g. De LaMatyr to lead us in
prayer.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION
At the conclusion OF the prayer Mr..
Field said Gentlemen Of the Conven-
tion The first business necessary ~ill be
the selection of a gentleman to preside
over your deliberations temporarily.
Whom will you name
Mr. William Orlidge, Of Wisconsin.
said have the pleasure as well as the
honor of naming the Hon. lgnatius Don
nelly, of Minnesota, as our temporary
chairman. The motion was seconded and
carried, and Mr.. Dohnelly declared t. be
elected.
On motion of Mr. Hewitt, of Michigan,
committee OF two, consisting Of himself
and Gen. Singleton, of Illinois, was ap-
pointed to conduct Mr.. Donnelly TO the
platform. Upon reaching 1t the temporary
chairman was received with applause,
and being introduced to the convention,
he proceeded to address them as follows
HON. IGNATIUs DOSNELLY's ADDRESS.
Fellow Citizens and Representatives Of
the Independent Party Of the United
States A little less than one hundred
years ago this nation Of ours was founded.
1t was founded by men who, either in
their own persons or the persons of their
immediate ancestors, had fed to this great
land to escape the oppression Of concen-
trated and accumulated capital, as repre-
sented in the social system Of the coun-
tries from which they came. They took
new departure in the history of the
world They Illuminated declaration Of
principles in which, for the first time in
human history, 1t was enuncIated that all
men we're created equal, with equal rights
to life, liberty, and the pursuit Of a2IpI-
ness, and that to secure these rights gov
ernments are instituted among men. 1t
was upon this foundation that the Repub-
lican party builded its great work, when
they declared in effect that the cry Of the
most naked and cringing slave, under the
lash of his master, outwelghed all the
capital of the South. Applause. 1t is
upon that declaration Of independence we
propose to build a party to-day. Re-
newed applause We turn TO other lands
and find the multitude oppressed, pow
erty stricken, trUdden down, the rich, the
few, engrossing all the comforts, all the
Injuries, and all the powers of society.
We find the old world governed by dol
lars. 1t was the purpose Of the men who
formed this ration TO create a nation that
should be governed by men applause H.
that should make the man outweigh the
dollar. Alas my friends. we have far
departed from that standard. In the for
ty-third Congress Of the United States OF
America there was IN the House Of Repre-.
sentatives one mechanic, seven farmers,
ard one hundred and ninety-e,ght share
holders in National banks Applause.
And Just SO surely, my friends, as the
English arisUocracy have diverted all the
powers of government to strengthen Their
class and oppress and impoverish the
many, Just 80 certainly must like cause:
produce like results in this great land OF
ours.
| lind in a morning paper, published
here in this city, q report of the proceed
| e LoIl - ~ a.
the city Of New York. Their declaration
of principles is a threat, gentlemen, sns
pended over both political parties Of this
country. They say ''Our solemn and
often repeated pledge faithfully to dis
charge all national obligations must be
fulfilled not only by the payment of the
principal and interest of our bonded debt,
when due, but also the removal, not later
than the time provided by existing law, Of
the curse q our redundant Irredeemable
paper currency, which not only inpedes
the return to true prosperity, but has also
largely contributed to the existing demon
allzation."
You will find in the speech Of Charles
Francis Adams, Jr., these words:
Now, / will tell you what want.
want political and financial reform. honest
government and honest money. Cheers
There are two great political bodies in this
country, with either of whom | can act
cheerfully, providing they nominate men
who will suit my ideas and who will be
above reproach. | belong to the floating
or independent voters of the country.
Among Presidential candidates there ia
one whose name stands unblemished be-
fore the country to-day, and by nominal
ing him the Republican party will gain the
vote Of every honestmsn, and that man
is Secretary Bristow. Applause. The
good old memories of the war are dying
out, and the people cannot be frightened
into supporting any candidate. Among
the Democratic party also there is one
man skilled in political life, of wellknown
character and high standing-GovernoI
Tilden-whom, if they nominate, will
support as the next best thing to Bristow
Cheers If good men are not nominated
by either party, then we will put forth a
candidate Of our own. Thank heaven
this is not q hard cider campaign, nor q
singing, nor . wOod-chopping campaign,
etc.
What is the meaning Of this Why
: my friends, this pampered aristocrat says
, in effect, to both political parties Of THU
country Adopt hard-money platforms
: give uS hArd-money candidates (; whichever
+ of you complies with this request shall re
ceive our support" 1t is q threat it is
/. challenge, my friends. We accept it her,
0 to-day lcheers, aud cries Of good l-anG
we say to these men Of New York. that nj
party that Eliminates such doctrine car
: receive our support. [Cheers.l And t.
that aristocrAtic sneer about q ''hard-cidel
campaign, or . woOd-chopPinZ cam
paign, (Alluding TO that great movement