The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1886-09-01
oWhat Are You FightEn'
About ?'
ED. FREEMAN:
An Answer.

About I! ana you OHeT tHe REE-
MAN one year to anyone who will
answer it. l will give you a few
thoughts in answer.
We have now lived about eigh-
teen months under Democratic rule.
The time has been short, but long
enough to convince the people that
the greatest and most costly mis-
take made in this county for TWEEN
ty-four years was in the election of
1884. Never was there party
that promised more. Never was
there party that performed less.
Never were men more reckless and
untruthful in their ante election
charges, Never were those against
whom charges were made, more
splendidly indicated. Not one
single promise made by the Demo
cratic party has been fulfilled. The
Democratic control of this country
has been disastrous, ignominious
and humlliating. 1t has demon
strated to the world its utter lack
of ability. The mask behind which
it has hidden itself for years, has
been torn asunder, and its naked
deformity disclosed.
The cloak has fallen off, and the
brute with his long ears, stands
forth to excite derision 2ud con-
tempt.
The Democratic party charged
the Republicans with all manner
of rascality, and claimed that an
examination of the books would
verify their charges. They exam
ined the books, and certify to the
honesty and integrity of their pre-
decessors, and to their own false
hood. They promised as soon as in
stalled in office, period of unex-
ampled prosperity would ensue;
la would be in demand at re-
munerative prices; capital would
rush forward in vestments, and
ali classes would feel the impulse of
the new life, Fifty millions of
people, many OF them ragged,
half fed and idle, rise up to curse
the day upon which that predic-
ton was accepted.
They promised to reform the tar
if, and have, thank Heaven, ut
terly failed. They promised to
restore the Navy and provide for
coast defenses. They have bank
rupted the grandest ship builder of
the nation, and closed his yard,
and have refused to make appro-
priations for the defense they de-
mand. They promised to repeal
the internal revenue system. They
promised to reduce the surplus in
the Treasury, by paying off the
debt, and in no year since the re-
sumption of specie payment, have
the Republicans failed to pay more
than they have done.
They promised a reform of the
Civil Service, and have made that
department ridiculous. There can
not be a Board of doctors unless
two out of three are Democrats, SC
that the weight of power could be
against the soldier; and a princi-
pie that would rob the poor SOL
der OF his rights, would be debased
enough to kick d dead dog.
They have robbed the children
CT S77,000,O00, that would have
gone to the schools under the Blair
bill
And now, does it begin to dawn
upon your mind that there is some
thing to fight about? The people
of this nation have not forgot the
twenty years of prosperity under a
Republican form of government
Compare this with the present
wild misrule, and do you wonder
at the people becoming restless
The Republicans are becoming
restless to gain the helm of the
old Ship, and man her from Cap.
tain down, that they may turn her
course out of this dangerous and
tempestuous sea, into a haven Of
peace and prosperity.
The Democratic politicians have
got their arms up to the shoulder
into the government crib. The
Republicans want the same posi-.
tion and fau tboncop6 oHoao ie