St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-20
sFRlENDS OF WORKINGMEN."

"FR1ENDS OF WORKINGMEN."
One unacquainted with the character
and methods of Republican politicians
might we'll believe, from their utter
anees and declarations in the present
campaign, that they alone are the real
friends of the American workingmen,
all others being deadly open foes or
covert enemies. From Mr.. BLAINE's
speeches and the assertions OF the
Republican press. it might be fairly IN
ferred that the Democrats are the purse
proud aristocrats of the country, de-
lighting in the degradation and oppres-
sion of the wage workers OF the country
while the Republicans are either the
workingmen themselves or their espe-
cial champions and dearest friends.
1t might be concluded that all Repub-
lican manufacturers paid the very
highest wages possible to their en-
ployes, while their Democratic neigh
bOrs paid only the merest pittance to
their workmen, and were steadily en-
gagged in an effort TO reduce them to
something like serfdom and slavery.
The logical conclusion of the Republic
can campaign argument is that the
dearest desire of the Democratic heart
is the paralyzation of the industries OF
the country and the pauperizalion of all
those interested therein.
The idea seems to be that all legisla-
ton by the Democrats will be partisan
in its character and results, benetiting
and blessing only members of the Dem
ocratic party, and injuring and cursing
all others; while if the Republicans are
given control of the government they
will pour out benefactiOns and benefits
upon everybody alike, the elect and the
unregeneTate, the just and the unjust,
without reservation or restriction, and
without stint.
That Democrats are as much interest
ed in the prosperity and perpetuity of
the republic; that they have bodies to
feed and clethe. wives and children to
care for, and are gladdened at the sight
of thrifty communities. the same as
their Republican fellow-citiZens, seems
not to be entertained.
Protect American labor" Foster
home industries" "GuaTd the Ameri-
can wage-wOrker; these are the cries
of the demagogueS of the Republican
party from BLAINE down to MERRIAM.
These are the watchwords of unprin-
cipled and INSCRIPTIONS Headers"
everywhere. They are the epithetS of
cant and PhariSaism. He who is de-
| ceived by them is not wise.
1t is the same old cry-"The Demo
70 @INn L,Ntr
years ago the same prophecy was
shouted IN the ears of the unwary.
If CLEVELAND is elected, the COnfed
crate war debt will he assumed and the
Confederate soldiers will be pensiOned."
Now the words of the song are changed,
but it is sung to the same old whang-
doodle tune.
Viewed and tried by the records as all
may read them, the claim of these Re-
publicans, that they are par excellence
the friends of the wOrkingmen," is GER
tainly prepOSterOus. 1t is asserted, and
the assertion has not been successfully
contradicted, that the Republican can
didate for president declared upon an
occasion when the declaration meant
something that ga dollar day. was
''enOugh for any workman" and that if
the railroad strikers OF indianapolis per-
sisted in demanding more ''they ought
TO be shot" Whether he really gave
utteranre to such atrociOus sentiments
or not, il is quite certain that he did
speak to the multitude on the occasion
referred to. and it is not even claimed
that he said one word in favor of the
workingmen, whose especial friend it is
now claimed he is and always has been.
! His own party organ quoted him as adj
! dressing few vigorous remarks" to
the rioters" whatever the remarks
were.
But on another occasion Gen. HARRI
son made record which is undisputed.
And this was on an occasion when the
rights of American workmen were in
volved most vitality. That he voted
again ana again in the United States
senate against the bill for the exclusion
of Chinese labOrerS is not denied. No
wonder that Senator INGALLS, declared
that HARRISON has all embarrassing
record on the Chinese question"
The Democrats, without top-lOfty as
sumption, challenge investigation of
their record on the question of protecting
American labor, and of every other
question. Their deeds, not their words,
speak for them. 1t was Democratic
congress that enacted the eight-hOur
law. The bill for the legaliZation in
certain respects of the incorporation OF
trades unions was Democratic meas
ure. The Chinese bill was Democratic
measure, voted for by nearly every
Democratic member of congress. The
record of the Democratic candidates in
| this particular has never been assailed,
because it is unassailable. The cheap
assertions of the opposition that their
success means the preservation of the
workingman, and their failure his ruin,
are mere pretensionS and silly fabTica-