The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-01
HOWARD BRIGGS.

Ofe-<s1-N
well known Democratic editor, and a member Of
the State Benevolent Boards. in speech deliv-
cred here tonight declared himself in favor OF
the election OF HARRISON and Morton. After
giving bis reasons for changing his political
faith, he proceeded TO discuss the tariff question
in a manner that brought out frequent applause
from the large audience. On this subject be
said:
"a word now upon the tariff. / regard the
question as practically settled on .he basis Of
protection 20 American industry. The Repub-
lean position on :hat question admits or no
doubt, while their opponents lack either the
courage or disposition TO propose q departure
from IL. The only question Tor the voter 20 de-
termine Is which Is tho best protection party OF
the The Republicans do ask to DC
taken on trust. Is there Democrat 10 this
house tonight who is able to dsine the position
of his party this question: say it more in
sorrow than in anger. but caDdor compels
me TO say that the party TO whose
service l have given the best years
or my life lacks clearly defined policy on the
question of revenue reform. The New York
Sun, which supports President Cleveland, and
which ought TO be accepted as high Democrats
authority, has lately INDUCED in an open con-
fession, which is said to bs good for the soul
1t says, the Democratic party Is not free
trade party; it Is not protection party; 1t is
simply the Democratic party Laughter
lucid. 1t romines me Of the Ksntuckian who
managed 70 maintain . position OF strict neu-
trality during the war by declaring that be
wasn't Union man, and he wasn't a confeder-
ste-he was just nothin' and Id htSle OF that
lTumultuous applause. Therein Ia the weak
ness of the Democrats position on this question.
IL is masqueradiug either as protection or free
trade party, or else. like the kentuckian, it is
just nothing, and Id little OF that Re-
newed and long-contnuec applause. The
fne N dar fe
such n party te trusted with the adnlinistra-
ton OF public alfslrsf
~ have said that the Democratic party is
without distinctive policy this question. In
1850 they declared in favor Of tariff Tor revenue
only. Gen. Hancock was sooner defeated
than his political friends made haste TO asc-ibe
his defeat TO that one little word only In 1854
they constructed platform that was suscept-
IDLE OF double construction. which they them
selves now admit by undertaking to define &c In
the platform recently adopted at ST. Louis. The
second declaration is quite satisfactory as the
first. IL is like the Presidents letter OF accept
ance, which was but a rehash OF his message TO
Congress- The dsrkey's reply to the hotel
guest serves as an apt illustration OF the very
intelligiblo utterances of the party the issues
CT the day, is that the second dinner bellf
asked the guest. No, sab, Oar is no second
bell. Dat was de second ringing oo de FIRST
bell Laughter.
The fact is fellow-citizens. the Democrats
party has exhibited total incapcity TO deal
with this great question. 1t has had control OF
the popular branch OF Congress, where oil
revenue measures must originate. for nearly
half the time that has elapsed since tSe
close OF the civil war Counting this Congress,
the Democratic part has FOR twelve years out OF
the fourteen had q substantial majority in tbs
EUuse, Ie;ines - hish trUaa htty 10
seventy-fve majority. Ii h<s ali the while de-
nouneed trs tsrif, ard yet has not until tue
present session developed usity and strength
enough to send G 0ili 10 Tie Seaass.
- Grr No aTn - asral mas
has the tariff been revised, snd each tine IL vas
the WORK of the Republican majority in control
of the House. The Republicans had both
houses OF ths Forty seventy Congress, though
bys bairs breadth; yet they passed the tariff OF
1883, revising and cutting down the rates. in
their natoaa! convention Of lSS4 the party de-
clsred that the tariff still nseeed revision. The
case is worse now, fer tie surplus revorue -
enormous and is growing yesriy. A Republican
tsrid commission, appointed oy President Ar
thur, and nearly Ell OF whom were protection
lets, reported in favor OF 25-peSceUl reduction,
and yet Democratic House, With maj jority Of
over sixty a. its back, aud with larsely-in-
creased surplus as a stimulus 70 duty, proved
recreaut 10 the people who had invested il with
their confidence. la the light of such record.
it will lot do to say that the Democratic psrty
is for tariff reform Henry WattersOn, Frank
Hard aud Henry George assure us. however,
that the party is headed in the direction OF free
trade ii is like the taper who was seen sup
porting himself against church and when
asked If no belonged TO IL. replied that he
leaned that way. LaughtAEl The party
those coniding refOrmsrs allied with Is
seeking by inGirection 10 find direction out
Il nave said. fellow -citiZens, and repeat Ii,
that the Democratic party rs based on negat ons
only. Ii would DO false TO itself II IL id rot
oppose every measure OF reform demanded by
a progressive civilization aud enlightened bu-
manly. 1t has been on both sides Of every
questiOn-generaliy on the wrong side, and rare
ly the right Size long ct time IL was
- - D or-.rf
the abolition of slavery. IL was against the
emancipation proclamation. IL was against the
enfrauehisement of the freedman. il was
against the issue OF greenbaoks aud did every
thug IN its power 20 discreait them IL was,
and Is to-day, against clvli-ssrvice reform, ana
ont OF mercy 70 the author OF it made haste 10
send him 20 a foreign court. lest Baruom should
secure him for bis nussu1 or curiositles. II II
ike The sbipwrecked HiOsrnian who managed
20 reach friendly shore, and as he climbed the
bank inquired o. nis rescler Have ye govern
meut hereP Yes. we've get q govern ment'
well, then, Fm agip 1t Langhter. 30 II Is
with the Democa,ic party. The bare suggestion
of a reform is alone sofacient 10 provoke its
chronic hostility.
AZ object to the Mills bill because it ie in the
interest," of the monopolies, is sectional in char
acter and dlscrlmllates against tae agricultural
class The declaration of a venerable Dsmocrat
who stands high in the councils OF his party,
.n6 for wEose learning and acnnen have the
highest respect, IL pertinent in this coDnec-
ton that / trust violste no confdence in re-
peating il expressed TO him my belief that
the party had sold itself TO the trusts and mo-
nopolies. Listen 10 his reply: Having granted
protection 10 New England said he, we must
now protect the South The concessions TO the
rice and sugar trusts snow the peculiar nature
of the favortism In that direction Profession
for rice and sugar, but free trade in WOOL The
trusts must wax strong even though the lamb
kins go bare. The very spscious plea by which
this Discrimination is justified is not unlike the
sheep thief who was caught with the carcass on
his back. What did you kill that sheep fori
demand the owner. Il will kill auybody's sheep
that bites NE as / pass along the road
| ILsuehter.
II have said that the Democratic party is a
party OF mere negation; it Is also party OF
false pretense. 1t cries down with monopoly
taxes after making Itself solid with the
trusts shat extort them. 1t Processes a desire TO
reduce the surplus with the act OF us President
in poeketng a reduction bill yet fresh In the
memory ofohe people. 1t poses as the friend OF
tho soldier after having stuoborny refused 20
pass a measure for his benefit. Its candidate
for President committed himself in favor OF the
one-term principle, and then gave hls check for
ten thousand dollars to secure bis reelection.
IL processes friendship for csyilseryiee reform,
and then exacts .oatrihntiop from an army OK
ofcs-hoiders in PLAIN violation OF its letter and
spirit Il proclaims its hostility 70 national
banks after placing two national bankers a. the
| head OF the Treasury Department ltrecuces toe
surplus IN the treasury by oauing It TO tie banks
Instead of applying il 10 The liquidation ~ sfhe