Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-07-25
COL Villas SPEECH.
Col. VIM. f. Villas was introduced,
and spoke as follows:


and spoke as follows:
MIR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-It was
not my purpose to consume your time to-nighl
by any observations extending more than for
moment two, and expected to have been
asked to say few words in the beginning and
then to have allowed my associates in the delega-
tion from this state il the great convention to
have answered for the action of that convention
in its nomination and its platform. Our president
has seen fit to alter the arrangement that an
ticpated, and probably with wise design, because
you have already heard such discussion as rem
ders it unnecessary for me at any great length to
discuss either the Issues or the candidates, and
you have heard gentleman whom you have man
ifested your pleasure in listening to by your ap
plause: and who conferred honor on this state
when it was unnecessary for such as he to be 81
lent who possesses such power as he possesses to
command such body of democrats was assem-
bled at Chicago, by his voice He ready to
champion the great cause of the democratic party
as it was presented 1t became unnecessary be
cause another champion threw not-his shining
lance, because the democratic party does not deal
so much in lances or in plumes-he threw his
broad ak in q wide sweep around his shoulder in
such manner as to lay low at one stroke all the
enemies of the candidate whom the delegates
from Wisconsin had determined to support (Ap
pause0 And without spending time in the dis.
cussion of the action of the delegation at Chicago,
which is familiar to you ALL shall advert to
but one or two circumstances which seemed
to me- greatly to commend to our judgment the
ticket that has been presented by that convention.
We have all learned by an experience that has
been accompanied by sorrows, by griefs and with
losses that the action of the people at the polls
means not merely the expression of a whim
fancy or caprice in the selection of candidate
but that it means the determination of the course
of ttSe government. 1t means possible war on the
one hand, or upon the other peace. 1t meaas
honor plenty prosperity all the joys of free
ciety and good government as contrasted with
civil disturbance, peculaton, robbery, trouble in
business affairs trouble at home, trouble with the
poor, poverty, distress, even starvation. The
ballot as it may be cast in favor of one or the
other is significant of great things for free peo-
pie 1t is no less important, it is no less signifi
cant it is no less effective than the musket in the
hands OF the soldier; and we have come to know,
who have looked upon the history of our arms in
times past, and have read with pride the achieve
ments of the American soldier, we have come to
know that he wSo put his musket on his shoulder
and advanced to the forefront of battle was not de-
lvering his ball in the thick Of fight and in the
midst of death and desolatson in any personal
war; he not engaged in carrying out any
whim He was holding his rifle aimed at the
enemy of liberty, and striving to put down them
who would destroy her temple and her citadel
Applause) Precisely is it so with the ballot.
He who aims his ballot against the enemies of
his government is friend to liberty and friend
to man. He is engaged in doing great work,
not little one He is engaged not in a personal
cause He is engaged in seeking the common and
general welfare of an immense people.
Therefore it became of the utmost Importance
that in the coming election candidate should be
nominated by the democratic party who should
represent the aspirations of this people who
should represent its hopes its prayers its fervent
glances toward the coming time when this nation
shall BE- all that it is destined in the hands of
Providence to become. A party has been in pow
er for twenty-four years. Beginning in grandeur,
it has become debased until its grandeur is gone
and there remains nothing but the ruins of its
former splendor. They who belonged to it in its
early days, they who led it, who made it what it
was have almost all departed from it, Its grea
leaders have long since abandoned it, aRd to-day
a ma iority of them who survive are engaged in
the ranks OF the democratic party. applause }
We have been taking from them those who ware
most honest most upright who cared least for
the spoiis OF Office or least for the dictation of
party We have spared some who we could afford
70 let 60 and the result has been that the demo-
cratic party has come TO represent the best hopes
of the American people There gathered around
that convention at Chicago, the wishes of the
most elegant, the most refined, OF the best, the
purest the wisest citizens Of the country There
came TO that convention the prayers OF the poor
as wen as the hopes OF the wise. They all direct
ed Us to look for a E1an wis stood for reform in
government, for purity in administration.
for fearlessneSs of purpose, for
audacity in doing what IS right
(AFplause) We have had enough Of time serv-
ing men who were merely seeking the expediency
OF party. Tho young men Of this country have
come to the front (Appianse-l Men who have
grown to nashocd's powers since the war begun,
and sne Of them, able, upright, fearless and bold
defiantIy bold in the cause Of right as any man
who ever raised spear in battle or drew q sword
against an enemy. is Grover Cleveland OF New
York. (Applarse1 The American people have
seen that man mere young man In the time Of
war some twenty-fhree or fEenfy-four years old
Just beginning in poverty and alone N the word,
the great struggle of life They have seen him
Is they have glanced back over his career settle
IL the CITY of Buffalo and there engage in his pro-
tession; q Young man without any aids. without
any friends except those he earned By his eharac-
,as1--