Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-06-28
SELECT.
COL, STEWARDS SPEECH.

What the Independent Republican
candidate for Governor had to say for
the Independent Republican cause in
this State at the late Convention in
Pittsburgh.
FELLOW CITIZENs-I cannot but re-
gard it as an auspicious circumstance
that the initial work of a campaign
which has for its object the disenthral-
ment of the Republican party, and the
direction of it's energies to the attain
ment of wise public ends, should be
done in the city of Pittsburgh, where
26 years ago the first republican State
Convention assembled. During all those
years this great city has been steadfast
in it's faith, and true and unwaver-
ing in its allegiance to the Republl-
can party. Not only has she empha-
sized her devotion to the cause of that
party by large popular maiorities, but
she has the proud distinction of hav-
ing furnished, from the body of her
citizenship, some Of lis ablest minds
and most distinguished champions.
/ cannot forget that Pittsburgh was
the home of that eminent man, whose
indomitabe courage, Untiring zeal and
wonderful ability made him the first
War Minister of the century, Edwin
M. Stanton; and of that other citizen,
whose matchless eloqueDce on the
platform and in the National Congress
was SO often heard in defense of the
early faith-Thomas Williams. Nor
do l forget that it still is the home of
others who gained distinction in the
foremost ranks of this great party, of
a Moorhead, eminent for his practical
craftsmanship, and of Marshall
whose splendid advocacy did SO much
to beget and strengthen in the popular
mind Republican convictions.
THE CAUSES OF DIsIRUs
Standing here in this presence, in
in city crowned with such honora-
BILE associations and memories, L
feel that / am not only in a strong
hold of the faith, but in the very cita-
del of its power.
But these distinguished men | have
named have disappeared from public
station, and those of them who sur
vive have withdrawn from active
particjpaticn in public affairs. Their
names are seldom heard in political
matters save as memories of the past,
or when, as lately happened, with i'll
concealed disirust and disdain, one
declioes a proffered candidacy. The
times, my friends, have changed, and
and we with them The Republican
party survives, but with decimated
ranks and abated vigor. Once we had
an assured and secure supremacy in
State and National government, a
supremacy sustained by deep popular
convictions, which found expression
in emphatic and increasing popular
maiorities. We were then parry of
great moral ideas, contendipg for the
iecos uition of great principles and
their application to public ends. In
active support of our party were en-
listed the best thought, the highest
patriotic endeavor aud noblest sympa-
thies of free people. In those days
Presidential elections were not decided
by electoral commissions, or the un-
certain vote of State.
Why this decadence, which has left
our supremacy insecure and made our
future doubtful The question itself
suggests its own answer. The party
is less powerful to-day than in the
past, because it has less of the public
confidence: it has less of public con-
fieuce becauseits energies, instead of
being directed to the attainment of tne
greatest good for the State, are turned
TO the advancement of personal in,er-
est, the qualification ofselfish ambition
and the capture of spoils. | speak of
the sisution in our State only. The
political organization which gave free
dom to a race has itself become enslaved,
and is to-day dominated and controlled
by imperious masters, who not only deny
to it the free expression of its convic-
tions, but exact from it base and de-
grading service A humiliatng con-
| fession to make, / know, and one l
would make in whispered words, so
that it might not be heard to our
shame by our closest neighbor, were it
not that our rep oach in this regard is
public and notorious. 1t admits of no
denial and it's concealment is impossi
bic. Under such conditions. how
could you expect TO have vigorous and
healthy organization? Is it not remarka-
BILE rather that you have even the SEM
blauce of the party let? Whatever of
healthy vigor remains comes alone
from the traditions of The party and
the glory of its past achievements
From such associations men are slow
to break away, and thousands are Re-
publicans to-day, not for what tue par
ty is, but for what il has been.
But there comes a time when roman
tic attachment and traditional renown
cease to be springs of action, when
forbearance ceases to be a virtue, AID
considerations of public duty require
declaration of independence against
arrogant and organized authority.
By the apathy and inactivity of the
masses, political Bosses have been al
lowed 20 usufp control of the party
organization; but vain must be the at
tempt to hold such party as ours in
continuing servitude, and just as vain
the hope 10 hold it together as an ag-
: gressive political force for base Dud un-
worthy ends. AS well have attempt
ed to turn the armies of the Union into
band of Fl eebooters OF n al auders after
4 their patriotic mission had been accom-.
/ plshed. Witness the growing dissat-
isfaction and discomfort; witness your
l. reduced majorities; witness the empbat-
r ic protest of $4,000 who refused to be
n bound by the action of the convention
one year ago; witness the Philadel
phia Convention Of oath of May, with
: its earnest men, its defiant attitude, its
independent deliverance; witness this