The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1880-09-29
MIR. BIRDS SPEECH.

For the Gazette.
Mr.. EDIToR.-In order that the
working people may understand Mr.
Birds argument in his Friday night
speech, wherein he attacked the demo-
cratic platform, which recommends a
tariff for revenue, etc., he tried to
make it appear that the platform was
against the interest of the working
masses, and each doctrine would bring
ruin to the workingmen. Let US see
what his arguments amount to, and
In order to make clear case so the
people can see wherein Mr.. Birds
preaching is false, propose to ia Ike
Mr.. Bird as he stood before his audi
ence pleading for that which he knew
to be utterly false. First, Mr.. Bid
was dressed from head to foot in i'm
ported goods. The linen in his collar
Irish linen bleached and manufactured
in Ireland, and cost not less than one
d jllar and twenty five centsper yard ibis
shirt front was of the same material,
his coat, pants and vest were either
French or English manufacture, his
silk neck tie was from France, his
OOOtb VI DuOCb WOtO VI ICuCu
tation. The shirt and stockings which
he wore were American and they kept
covered other people could wear the
same kind. Hence he desired that
which was to be seen to be of foreign
importation. There he stood arrayed
in foreign goods pleading and beseech-
ing his hearers to support his party
and continue high tax ON these goods
brought from foreign countries. Why
does he desire this high tax? This is
the answer. The tax on his clothing
is paid by the workingmen. How does
the workingmen pay this tax. By
paying fifty per cent. more for coffee
and tea which they use, and many
other goods which they consume.
Take this tax off what the workinl T.
men consume and they can wear i'm
ported goods too, and live much
cheaper, and receive as much wages
for their labor. But says this royal
party, poor men must be kept poor,
and be satisfied to wear kersey, and
live on corn cake and hominy. We
will drink the coffee and tear and wear
the imported goods, and you working
men must pay tax on it you use it.
Such gentlemen as l (Mr. Bird) must
be known by our feathers and our ap-
pearance, something must distinguish
such a gentleman as l am from you
who toll, l plead with you Union men.
| beg of you workingmen, l beseech
of you my colored friends to m AXE no
change keep us loyal men in Office SO
that we may grow rich and make a
strong government to keep you work
ingmen poor and we who have all the
brains fare sumptuously every day.
Workingmen remember this, all The
style and fashion you see on the streets
you are taxed directly fol- it. Will you
support this deceitful party2 Give this
party little more power and Mr.. Bird
says he will crush out States and st to
lines, and government will be made
strong; yes, so strong that you will
lose your right to vote, you will be re-
duced to the condition of Rhode Is
land, you will be made the slaves of
your employers. Now is the time to
shake off this royal party. Put your
trust in the Democratic leaders, have
faith in the Democratic platform, give
the grand old Democratic party con-
troll and you will have a government
that will protect you and legislate for
your interest. You will have better
wages, cheal er living and be respect
ed. Come out from this government
who levies a tax upon you in order
that the Office holders may riot in ex-
travagance and idleness. The Demo-
cratic party is the party of the work
ing man. In all their acts of legisla-
tion they have fostered your interest,
and have given you all the rights
which free people desire. Bird fears
a change for fear their frauds will be
They stand convicted before
you to-day. They have no arguments
to convince the people that they are
worthy to be retained in power longer
They have taken hold of the tariff and
are ende avoring to alarm the people.
1t will not do. The people know the
Democratic parry are wise and did
govern the country for sixty years,
the people prosperous and
happy. Vote for General Hancock, a
man to be trusted, man
who is honorable, and who is in the
hearts of the peopl to such an extent
II 81 ha mill ha o,,r pavf Drau;Iant