Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-07-13
PARTY ORATORY.
A Retrospective Criticism of the
Nominating Speeches al the
ST. Louis and the Chi
CagO Conventions.


EDITOR CITIZEN w bile absolute
impartiality can hardly be expected
from any one sliiliated with either
party, yet now in the lull between
the din of the recent conventions and
the matured excitement of the COM
ing conflict may be the best opportu
nifty 10 view from critics, Instead
of pavtisan's, standpoint the recent
nominating speeches at st. Louis and
Chicago.
In expecting Democratic conYen-
ton we are curious to know what
will be said and done-what excus-
es, if any, will be offered for the past
and what protexts advanced for the
future. But everybody knows the
pride, policy and promises of the Re-
publican party So the very novel
ty aud uncertainty of q Democratic
convention possesses q peculiar IN
terest that is lacking in a Republican
convention.
Novelty, particularly when happy
over success, is profile of wit; and
hence it does not require subtle
philosophy to account for the face
uous character of almost every speech
at St Louis, The delegates, few of
whom had ever attended conven-
ton following the election of their
party's candidate, We're as jubiiant as
a pack Of school boys over the unex-
pected victory of fayorte base ball
nine Said one speaker: "The Re-
publican party favors protection, and
God knows they need it" Laugh
ter Such puns aud irivolity char
acterized the proceedings and, no
doubt, made them entertaining; but
more substantial arguments would
have beea more likely to influence
voters open to conviction.
Mr.. Dougherty's speech, however,
was an exception being of a serious
tone; but it was rather disappointing
considering bis reputation as an or
ator. However, Mr.. Dougherty, is
excusable, owing to the scarcity of
euIogistic material in the character
and career of Grover Cleveland.
But the speech, however cleverly
blending fallacy with maxims and
sentiment, will not stand the test of
logical analysis. Says Mr.. Dougher
ty, President Cleveland's "career il
lustrates the glory of our institu-
tions. Eight years ago, unknown
save in his own locality, he for the
last four has stood in the gaze OF the
world, discharging the most exalted
duties that can be confded to a NOR
taI." Any one that has made COM
parative study of the different kinds
OF government knows that one of the
weaknesses of a Republican form is
an occasional tendency to advance
lucky man too rapidly. Admitting
for the purpose of argument that
Grover Cleveland has proven q com
retent President, yet the promotion
of any man from obscurity to the
Presidency in four years would be
rash experiment and dangerous ex-
ample. Grover Cleveland's unprece-
dented rise is, to say the least, poor
illustration Of "the glory of our insti-
tutions." You might as well illus
trate the glory of monarchy by citing
the coronation of king uneducated
for The crown The present indica-
tions are that the coming election
will afford better illustration OF "the
glory of our institutions" by showing
the caution of the American people
in deeming it unsafe to keep man
with ordinary capacity and limit
ed experience in the Presidency more
than one term, and choosing sue
cessor distinguished in military, le-
gal and political life. Dynasties,
however ilustrious 10 begin With, are
apt to degenerate into men not supe-
rior tO Grover Cleveland.-"Ihe
glory of our institutions" is that we
have an opportunity 10 keep great
men Gt the head o. affairs
Most Of 2Ssiir. Doughcrty's speech
consisted of vague generallsms
which were an attempt to obscure
the de2rth Of MS heruis tangible and
specific merits or achievements.
Notwithstanding an overstrained
effort to press into service q supera-
bundance of jockey phraseology, Mr..
Mckenzie succeeded in exciting
good deal of laug ter; but he made a
mistake in Introducing Mrs. Cieve-
land iuto "the canvass" The Con-
stitution provides in no emergency
for the Chief Executives wife inher-
iting or otherwise performing the
duties of her husbands Office. The
candidates wives should not there
fore be dragged into "the canvass. "
Mrs. Cleveland is usually described
az democratic lady with popular
manners, but Mr.. Mckenzie calls her
"queenly" The grandest deile in
the Rocky Mountains is named
"The Royal Gorge" The perpen-
dicular walls of this majestic canyon
rise hundreds of feet high and are
so close together that there is scarce
ly room for the railroad track. What
a pity that such sublime American
scenery is called royal? Queen
w." royal and kindred words do
not patriotically describe typical
American people and places.
MIR. Daniels also endeavored TO
misappropriato Mrs. Cleveland's at
fractions into campaign argument.
II Mrs. Cleveland is to be factor IN
this canvass then there will be ac
rimonious comparisons between her
and Mrs. Harrison, which will infiu-
ence votes for neither candadate ano
serve o0ly to reflect discredit on
their authors. Mcssrs Mckenzie and
Daniels certainly gave US inferior
specimens of Southern gallantry.
Ia the leading three speeches fol
Cleveland, Mr.. Dougherty's logic wa;
falIacious, Mr.. Mckenzie was allureC
bv the charms of our 'uncrownet
ouean while Judge TWiggs quotet