Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
REPUBLICAN RALLY.
The Republican Club Convention Held
AT Madison on Thursday and
Friday March Is, 16, Largely
Attended.
Several Able Speeches We're Made and
Great Enthusiasm Prevailed.

At 2:3O o. m. of Thursday tie conven-
ton was called to order by Congressman
La Toilette. After prayer by DR.. Rich
ards Mr.. la Toilette addressed the dele
gates as fellows:
1t is my honored privilege to give you
cordial welcome to the work which we are
called to do.
new and potential force has come in
to American politics. Let US indulge
the hope that it has come to stay. The
organization of permanent republican
clubs throughout this nation is the mani
festation of mighty power moving
through the masses, testifying uudimin-
ished enthusiasm for the republican
party, undying loyalty to republican
principles and the confidence of conTlc-
ton in republican triumph
If these organizations should serve
only to speak our unity and our faith,
should serve only to aid in marshaling
again our gallant forces, in giving them
zest and spirit as they sweep from politi
cal power IN the good old way that bad
old party and its mugwump mistress, we
shall not have organized in vain.
But believe we have a larger mission,
that we have entered upon a more ex-
tended service.
Inc pUllblCS VI bO-udy dI5 tll6 pORibICS
of fact and reason. For more than
generation economic questions have not
SO pressed uppermost tor consideration.
The sacred issues thought out and fought
out within the last thiI of a century have
engrossed the public mind and left social
and economic sub ects to the specialist in
study and in legislation. They rise now
to claim of the individual voter self in
Vestigation and personal Judgment. Every
man is now quickened TO the conscious
ness that in these times legislation and
the administration of government con-
Germ agriculture, affect manufactures,
regulate commerce, dominate the finan-
cial world. Their influence extends to
every business, is felt in every home.
A period has come in politics when the
torch-Iight alone will hardly illumine the
pathway of any political party to power.
Uniformed ranks, waving banners, nod
ding plumes, cannot be envoked TO deter
mine the issues of the present. Angry
contention, violent harangues, bitter per-
sonal abuse will play no part in the APP
peal to the judgment of the people.
Outside of valid substantial existing
reasons which convince the mind no man
will be bound to his party. The support
which each citizen gives to a particular
political organization will be measured
by Just the value of that party as nearly
as he can ascertain it TO his country to-
day.
This is the test the republican party
courts, this is the key note to the work of
permanent republican clubs. Within
these clubs will be expounded the princi-
pies of sound republican government, of
wise, honest progressive administration.
From these clubs there shall go out into
every community an intelligent public
sentiment on political questions; just
criterion of the relative value of the two
parties; a demonstration of the inherent
weakness of the one, and the organic
strength of the other; a demonstration
of the relative value of govern
ment by party composed of disco1dant
elements with conflicting principles war;
ing for supremacy, capable only of cap
ricious, spasmodic and mischievous action
reflected in every act of its administra-
ton; its hypocritical pretensioEs of
reform to Cal Ole the mugWump, It's open
and secret evasIons of civil service rules
TO satisfy the rayenous and capacious
NAV of the spokesman, its jugglery with
the treasury to create a rplUs in the
interest of banker and bond holder and
as weapon of attack on silver and pro-
lection, its perpetual menace to all pro
dUction, though an incompetent, inefficient
tinkering with the tariff, its utter and alb
ject subserviency to the south, aiding to
commit and conceal their crimes against
the balIot-more threatening to repubIi-
can institutions than the open assault on
the constitution In 'GI, pG1dering to
southern prejudices, fawning even on
their shameful and wicked past, paying
any price, from poor little pension veto
tn q Ifa MARS tha hppPb for
the sneaking privilege of again sitting
at their feet-from these clubs there shall
grow, L say, a demonstration of the rela
tive yalue of such participating the
country such administration, and of
that grand old organization, united IN
principle, standing for strong national
government, a liberal construction of the
constitution, fair revision of the tariff,
but for protection to American interests,
from the farm to the factory, standing
for the equal rights of all citizens, for
full, free partici patton in representa- sc
government by all, to the end that legis-
lation shall be for all: remembering not
alone the money debt of the great rebel
lion, but that other and more sacred obi
CATION written In scars and wounds, in
lines of pain and suffering no language
can ever voice, in whiteued hairs and
NadbbSTSu 1oIuS auu broken MONIES, q
party holding always to uniform con-
sistent policy commanding the Jealous
support of every intelligent, honest
voter.
Connection with the club work will
inspire personal interest, insure indivi-
dual research and q practical understand
ing of government not heretofore attain
ed. To participate in it, members mast
read as they have not read before; must
retain, appropriate, digest, reflect, must
hold opinions which are fortified by the
best of reasons.
Thus we shall grow into better com
prehension of questions of legislation;
we shall learn TO take broader views, to
grasp the relation of each business 30
every other, to see in all its COM pIexity
the independence of all our industries, to
know exactly the different conditions of
Europe and this country, the difference
IN wages and standards of living, the
difference IN the dependence of the em-
ployed on the employer, to feel the alb
solute necessity of shield over Ameri-
can labor, which shall catch and break
the blows struck by foreign capitalists
who otherwise would pay no taxes to this
government, contribute no dollar to its
wealth. and who certainly entertain no
ambition for its development, owe no love
and loyalty to its flag.
Through this club work we may grow
familiar with financial legislation and
financial policies and come to know just
when and how and why our interests are
promoted or injured. We may investi-
gate the nroblso,s of rads md