The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-06-01
A. Brilliant 0ratoncal Effort Of the Ex-
4 State Chairman.
SPEECH OF w. U. HENsEL BEFORE THE
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AT HARRIS
n BURG MONDAY MAY 20, 1888

A GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN-Itis
not TO be wondered at the assemblage
Of convention of the second largest
body of the democracy Of the country
should be awaited with attention and
its proceedings viewed with concern.
The action here of those who claim to
speak with single voice giving forth no
uncertain sound for nearly half a mil
lion free electors is bound to be weigh
ty with consequence. Applause
This day, it is already forshadowed,
is to mark new birth for the demo
cratic party OF Pennsylvania.-[Ap-
plause. .. .t -.
For the first time within the politi-
cal generation OF those even older than
the most of us, our state democracy
ranges il self in line with the organiza-
ton of the entire country on what has
at last come to be the supreme issue of
political discussion. Great applause.
With face to the front and back to the
past, we are about to declare for eman-
cipation from that onerous, destruc-
tive and misdirected system of federal
taxation which has contributed to de-
stroy the external commerce of the
United States; to limit the sale of Am
erlcan manufactures, to reduce the ear
nings of labor by frequent suspensions,
lockouts and strikes; to produce trusts
for the control of the home market at
the expense of the people; TO hinder
the farmer in the sale Of his products;
| to increase the cost of industrial pro-
ductions; to enhance the price of nee
essaries; to create dangerous surplus
in the federal treasury, and to drive
the American flag from the seas.
Applause and cheers. q af
Whatever apprehension timid men
may feel at the results of a bold declar
alton on living questions, must be al
layed by the reflections that aparty re-
Gently distracted with doubt, has been
united in support of that courageous
leader { Applsuse whose clear voice
rang out to congress and the country
the challenge to discusslon. As in the
days of jefferson, and of Jackson, and
of Tilden Applause], commanding
craftsmanship was Joined with splen-
did party leadership and discipline,
crowned with enduring victory, SO to-
day our candidate is our captain
High above the late confusion of
tongues, there Isl no voice for but one no.
minee and for one platform--the mes
sage of last December and the renomi-
nation o. Grover Cleveland. [Trem-
endous Applause,
Laggard as they might have been in
the past, henceforth the democracy of
Pennsylvania will be to the front,
with banners high advanced in the de-
man for revenue reform by thorough
revision of the tariff. Applause1.
Upon the basis of such measures as
the concurrent will and wisdom of the
executive and Legislative representa-
tives of the party have determined, we
will fearessly preach this faith in the
sheep pastures of Pennsylvania and on
the threshing floors, on the c,nder
banks and in the workshops; where the
shuttle flies and mill wheel turns in
factory town; where the woodman's
ak rings through the virgin forest of
the West Branch valley, under the
shadow of the coal breaker, and where
the FIRE flag floats in the oil fields of
western Pennsylvania Applause.
With clear, distinct and unequivo-
cal policy, alike freed from the delu-
sions of the doctrinaire and from the
thrall of the monopolist, the democracy
of Pennsylvania keeping step with the
music of party moving in unbroken
files, may fairly hope to retrieve its
fortunes and to recruit its ranks.
| Even if it emerge from the conflict
at first without victory it will survive
without dishonorable concession or
disgraceful compromise Applause.
In the sober secord thought of the
American people there can be no doubt;
sooner or later must come conversion
to we'll proved system of economy
under which the alert mechanical gen
ius of our country shall sell the pro
ducts of its handicraft in the open
marts of all the earth; then the manu-
factures shall be relieved from the vic
isstudes of itful stimulation and de-
tpression, languishing agriculture
will lift her dropping head and the
Esprit of restored American commerce
will raise aloft its flag in every seaport
and spread it's sails to every breeze
that blows the wide world round.
| Prolonged applause.
| Happily for the topic and the time,
public attention is not TO be diverted
nor political passion and prejudice ex,
cited by appeals to dead issues aud at
tempts to fan extinct embers to fresh
glow. Three years of democratic ad-
ministration have answered the misrep-
resentation of nearly generation. 1t
has silenced the doubts and derislon of
those who attempted to deceive the
country in believing that the party,
descended in unbroken succession from
the fathers of the republic, was incap-
able of administering its functions and
of directing its destinies. lApplause. ]
Every department of the federal
goyernmet in democratic control has
Deen administered with increased eff.
cheney at decreased cost. Applause
The treasury has been managed with
sagacity and skill that command the
| WOuueI anu duihii atiuh Vi thc WOflu /
finanoiers. Applause.] The. internal
revenue has been collected with fidtl
ity and economy and without needless
harrassment or oppression. Law and
Justice have been administered without
fear, favor or affection. The cigt ity
of the nation has been maintained
without needless embodiment or dis
turbance of those peaceful information,
al relations which are the glory of mo
dern civilization. Applause. The
postal department is the servant of the
people and not the spoil of the place
man and the booty of official thieves
, The public lands have been not only
: safe from further spoliation, but re
claimed from the grasp of forfeited
, grant and tainted title. Pensions
, have been paid to deserving soldiers
, with unstinted liberalty and unprece
| dented promptitude. A navy is il
being built Instead of its appropria