Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-08-06
WILL VOTE FOR BLAINE.
MIR. w. j. Gleason, Chairman of
the Cleveland Democratic
Central Committee,
a Lifelong Democrat and Promi-
nent Irishman, Tenders His
Resignation,
And Addresses an Open Letter to James
6. Blaine Giving Reasons for
His Change Of Views.
from the Cleveland Herald. ]

from the Cleveland Herald
Mr.. W. J. Gleason, ever since the day he
cast his first ballot, has been one of the
most prominent Irish Democrats in the city.
He was delegate to all the Irish American
conventions that have been held in this
country since 1866. Last Sunday he was
elected delegate to the coming Boston con-
vention. He is State delegate to the Irish
National League, and President of the Par
nell Branch of this city. He is Secretary
of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sail
ors' Union, Chairman of the Monument
Committee, and Secretary of the Library
Board With four exceptions he was can
didate to every Democratc county and State
convention for twenty years, and permanent
Secretary of four Democratic State conven-
tons under such men as Senator Thurman
and Senator Pendleton. He was Chairman
of the Parnell reception, the largest Irish
demonstration ever held in Cleveland, and
Chairman Of the Emmett centennial celebra-
ton. All positions he ever held were Of
fees requiring executive ability and expert
ence; they were all positions of trust and
honor, not one cent of compensation being
attached to any Of the offices either in the
past or present, unless the usual compen-
sation of votes of thanks are taken into
consideration.
Immediately after taking this step of
resignation from the committee, Mr.. Glea-
son addressed the following open letter to
the Republican candidate for the Presi-
dency:
CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 81, 1s84.-The Hon.
James q. Bt1i1e-DEAR SIR As a lifelong
Democrat and as sh-American permit me
to congratulate you your nomination for
President of the United States by the Republi-
can National Convention. Your brilliant record
10 Q Gtat cTna N IT q d.
vocacy of the principles of the Republican party,
fully entitled you to the high and honorable
recognition you have enthusiastically
ceived at the hands of your party. Your I'M
finching, patriotic, and gallant record in de-
Tense of the rights of American citizens of
native or foreign BIRTH at home and abroad, is
worthy of the gratitude, the respect, and sup
port of every man who loves his country better
than his party. The Republican party in Ma
tional Convention assembled acted generously
toward the men of my race. That party is not
under many obligations to the Irish race in this
country, speaking from a political standpoint,
and their action is therefore the more COM
mendable 1t must be admitted that they did
only the right thing. Yet it is generous TO do
the right thing at the request OF those to whom
a party owes nothing. Under all the existing
circumstances and taking your record and
candidacy into consideration, the Irish Ameri-
cans cannot consistently and viii not any
longer wear g Democratic party collar. 1t is
vell-ful0wn fact that the Irish Americans have
marched IN nearly solid column under the
Democratic banner Tor the last twenty-fOur
years % local victories occasionally, but to ma
tional defeats regularly
In sunshine and shadow, when all other classes
wavered, the Irish-Americans, as body, have
been loyal Democrats; and this, too, in the face
of the fact that they nave been repeatedly
stabbed IN the back by the higoted members of
the Democratic party. Your nomination, how
ever, coming as it did from the people, your
record as iberal-minded American, your ante
cedents, the antecedenIs OF John A. Logan, your
gallant. brave, and chivalrous cOpatriot on the
ticket, nave set my counJrymeu to thinking for
themselves. Under Your magnetic leadership.
particularly with reference TO your grand
AuIeriC anisIn and the rights to foreign-bo born
citizens the hitherto solid Democratic Irish
American army will be badly shattered, if not
entirely disbanded. Gratitude is one OF the
strongest characteristics OF the Irish race. As
an Irishman by birth, and proud OF it; an
American by choice. and glorying IN II, and
speaking for d large number OF the leading and
thinking ine2 OF my race IN Ihls country, we
owe you q debt OF gratitude for breaking and
casting to the W nds the old moss covered shib-
bOleth, Once British subject always British
subject OF what earthly use is any Govern
Hlent that GOES not JealouSly protect the rights
of its citizens at home and abroad None!
Your broad and comprehensive American states
manSbip has struck a responsive chord in the
hearts Of every native and adopted citizen of
this free and glorious country. 4 firm believer
in America for the Americans, and the perpetua-
ton Of its free Institutions, ! appreciate the
freedom We here enjoy. In common with my
countrymen the word over, will write, speak,
WORK, and earnestly ag!tate at ali suitable times
and places for the same blessing of freedom for
the Sreen isle beyond the sea, the beautiful land
of my nativity. IN conferences with large
number OF my cOuntryn1en in this city and State
and in correspondence with scores of them from
all parts OF the Union, since your nomination,
especially among the boys who wore the blue
during the late unpleasantness Having person
ally hast that honor as . volunteer private SOL
dler, from Ohio. IN the Union army at II years
Of age, the aggregate OF opinion, found, is
crystailiZing in your favol-the gentlemen to
whom refer having been hitherto leading and
working Democrats IN their respective localities.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The planks OF the Republican platform relative
to the duty Of our Cove nInen5 to protect the
rights and promote the interests Of our own
people; prote ctlon to American industry; the
establishment OF National Bureau of Labor:
the enforcement OF the eight-hour law: the pub
lie lands a heritage of the people of the United
States for actual settlers in small holdings: OBJ
position to the acquisition of large tracts of
lands by corporations or individuals, especially
where such holdings are in the hands of non
residents and aliens: liberal pensions to disabled
Union soldiers and sailors, and the widows and
orphans OF those VINO d1ed IN the war: the res
tOraJion OF the navy to its Old-tIne strength and
efficiency; the people of the United States, in
their organized capacity, constitute a nation,
and not q mere confederacy. OF States; free
ballot, an honest count, and correct return:
the La sage of such legislation as will secure to
every CITIZEN, OF whatever race or color, Inc Iull
and complete recogn;t ion, possession and exer-
else OF ali civil and political rights, appeals to
the national pride the sound judgment, the wis
dom ana support Of every thinking, patriotic,
independent, fair minded American citizen
THE JANUs-FACED DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM y
The platform of principles OF the Democratic
that organization where it has been for the last
twenty-four years as the opposition party. The
main section Of the declaration of principles
however, Is, as usual, made up of shutting cow
ardice. Janus-faced professions, Intentionally
deceptive. the creation of non-p producing theo-
rists. who are more interested in their pet hob
bies than in the building up and continued
growth OF the industries of the country. On the
substantial, living issues that interest the peo-
pie of the United States the platform of the
Democracy is all things to all men, and bears no
certain sound to any one. 1t is, therefore, I'M
deserving Of the support of all citizens who adj
nire honesty ana caudOr in public matters as
well as IN the everyday affairs of life
THE MONOPOIISTs CLEVELAND.
Wnen universally recognized statesman and
a leader OF the old guard that has kept the DEM
OcratIc lag nailed 20 the masthead the last quar-
terof century, ike Allen G.. Thurman. is set
aslJe, through the Vaccinations of the most cor
ru9t ana desplcable gang of monOpOlistic con-
spH@t4tS ana political pirates that ever pur-
cnassd q Senatorship or scuttled the Democratic
snip, because he was fitting representative of
al ina Lad been pure in Democracy and had .
record on the side of the masses of the people,
Tor an INJURED accident, creature of circum-
stances, 3 willing tool of monopolists like Cleve-
land. 1T : hI2h Tune that the heretofore faithful
old democratic guard, who have had notice
served upon them that their services are NO
longer required, should vigorously reDudiate the
CbPal pZIny that has been 1,,oy, +J,o,,,