San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-09-11
NATIONAL POLITICS.
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. W. JULIAN.
IndIsnapolis Sentinel. Aug. asth.

SPEECH OF HON. GEO. w. JULIAN.
indianapolis Sentinel. Aug. asth.
According TO announcement heretofore
made, Hon. George W. Julian addressed the
Democratic meeting last night at the Park
Theater. Although the weather was very
warm, the atmosphere sultry, and the sky
threatening rain, there was very full house
to greet the distinguished speaker. Among
those on the stage were Hons. Thomas A.
Hendricks, Frank Landers, Eb Henderson,
T. e. johnson, W. W. Woollen, Lewis
Jordan, L. d. Moody, Gas Byfeld, J. W.
King and John A. Holman. Afew moments
before 8 o'clock Mr.. Julian came on the
stage, accompanied by several gentlemen,
and was greeted with o round Of applause
as he took his seat.
At 8 o'clock Hon. Eb Henderson announ-
ced to the audience that Judge Jordan would
preside over the meeting Judge Jordan
came forward, and in q few choice words
referred to the approaching campaign and
the prospects of the Democratic party in the
fall election. He then introduced Hon.
George W, Julian as the speaker Of the even
ing. Mr.. Julian was loudly cheered as he
stepped forward to the front of the stage.
He said in his opening remarks that he did
not expect to speak over an hour; that he
had q trouble with his throat, and that he
did not know but he might have to resign
the close of his speech to Judge Jordan,
and he had distinguished precedents in this
matter of the employment of substitutes.
He therefore hoped that the audience would
excuse him If he should, towards the con-
clusion of his address, hand it over to Judge
Jordan for completion, as he desired to
save himself for future work during the
campaign. Mr.. Julian spoke for thirty-five
minutes, and then surrendered his manu-
script to Judge Jordan, who took it up
where Mr.. Julian left off, speaking in his
customary clear tone. The following is
Mr. Julian's speech:
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND REFORM.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW CITIZENS
The time was when our party platforms had
a recognized value, and formed part of the
political education of the people. Without
evasion or clap-trap, they embodied, in
clear and compendious statements, what was
believed to be the essential truth in politics,
as a basis of political action and guide in
the administration of public affairs. Certain
propositions were directly affirmed on the
one side, and as directly denied on the
other, and after the election the country
understood what had been decided.
THE PLATFORM AND ISSUES.
All this has 3een changed since the close
of the late war and the reconstruction of the
Government. In the year 1872 the Demo-
cratic and Republican platforms were sub
stantislly identical, and the controversy
turned upon the personality of the candidates
and the supposed spirit and tendencies OF
the opposing forces. This was true again
inl 1876, when the platforms were fifty de-
scribed as different words set to the same
music. It was true in $780, and history
again repeats itself 1884, I do not deny
that on the tariff question our great parties
are generally understood to be radically
opposed but their disagreement is set forth
with such marvellous carefulness and
elaboration in their platforms that the issue
practically drops out of the canvass In the
effort to define it.
And vet, during all these years, the most
vital problems have demanded attention,
and the cry of reform has been constantly
sounded d in louder and louder tones.
The REF nr systems OF tarin ana taAa-
''iy pressing its way to
ton has been -
the front as an imperative necessity. 80 nas
the reform of the civil service. A very rad
ical reform of our land policy has long been
needed, including the rescue of every depart
ment of the Government from its shameful
thraldom to great corporations, and the
reassertion Of the rights Of the people
through the emancipation of the public
domain. Above all, the country has needed
such regeneration of our politics as would
inspire the conduct of public affairs once
more with the great moralities that sanctify
private life and expel from the public service
the armies of rogues and mercenaries that
have been modified and made ravenous
under long lease of power.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY-oAN IT BE TRUsTED9
But how shall this work Of reform be
accomplished? Shall we commit it to the
Republican party2 Is there any ground
even for hope in that directionr That party
has been in power, with slight exceptions
for nearly the fourth of century, and you
know the result. I do not deny that in it's
early days it was q party of reform. 1t
drew its life from that idea. Its claim to be
a party of great moral ideas" was not with
out foundation. Its creed was the sacred
ness Of human rights and natural equality Of
men. It blazoned its principles upon its
banner, and noble and heroic men rallied
under it, and were ready, II need be, to die
for their convictions; while the Republican
masses were lifted up and ennobled by the
struggle. Under the lead of Lincoln,
Seward, Chas. Sumner, Greeley, and their
il won for itself q crown Of
glory but the issue which |
now most deeply concerns the people relates
10 its record after its great work had been
and the Government had
resumed the regular and normal administra-
ion Of Affairs. The question, il has been
veil observed, is not what the party has
lone, but what il will do not what il was,
1ut what IL is.
RKroRH vITHIS THE PLRrr.
As long ago a. 1868 the Republican party
,ledged itself in its platform TO reform the
,orruptions that bad then crept into the
National administration This was its first
Iemand for reform within the party" but
/ vent about the work after 50 strange .
ashton that year before the close Of Gen
raj Grznfis hrst administration the chief
oundsrs and early leaders Of the party were 'i
kf;.ed a desarf n in order 40 save them