The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1888-01-11
LIKES THE OUTLOOK.
Ex-G0v. Silas WH,dsan Writes a Let
ter Containing Some Cheerfn!
Predictions.

The following letter from the
sterling old Democrat. ex Gov. Silas
Woodson, will have an interest fO1
every democrat in Missouri, b cause
not only of its sound democratic
views, but of the popularity o the
writer:
st. Joseph, Mo-, Dec. II. 1857
Alex. Young, Esq, DEAR SIR:
am out of politics now, but I Gall
not refrain from expressing my cor
dial Endorsement of the last message
of President Cleveland. The mes
sage is a bold, candid expression OF
the judgement, not only of the presi-
dent, but that of the great body of
the. democratic party, upon the only
real vital questions separating the
two parties now seeking the control
of the government. I like to see
party lines clearly drawn and SO
fully defined that voters may know
ingly affiliate with the one or the
other. I do not like to hear he said,
at matters little which party sue
ceeds, as there is no, or very little,
difference between them" There
has, since the democratic and repub-
lican parties were formed, been radi-
cal and Fundamental differences in
fact between them. But the plat
forms of the two parties have been
80 laid down in state and national
conventions, and the candidates
nominated and placed upon these
platforms by the respective parties
have so expressed their views re
r specting them, that leaving out th'
personal abuse indulged, man list
ening to the speech of candidat'
: would not be able to say, intelligent
ly whether the speaker was demo
crat or a republican. And, indeed
now and then q democratic cand
date, not only for congress, but eve
" the presidency of the United States
s. would squarely place himself in al
cord with the leaders of the republ
ID can party. As an instance, examin
- the letters of Gen. Hancock, willis
he was running for the presidenc,,
fearlessly assert that the DEM
cratic party never was, and nev'
can be, the advocate of a high an
protective tariff, or a tariff at a
.h simply for the purpose Of prosectio
The democratic party has alway stoe
- upon one constitution, and nev
could. without abandoning tn
- sacred instrument, in letter Al
spirit, favor protection, for the sal
of protection. Under the constit
rs, ton, tariff for revenue may be il
posed, and in adjusting its deta
lar incidental protection to Americ
manufacturers may be given. N
otherwise. But I am not going
discuss the tariff or any other qu'
he he ton in this letter. The preside
- has given utterance to the plato,
upon which the democratic pal
.. must make the canvass next Novel
!" Der. The chances are that ma
" democrats will leave US and un
=. with our enemies; but in my opinit
where we lose one democrat we v
gain two republicans. Less th
100000 of our people are engag
in manufactures and mining. Fl
e. seven millions them are di GO
interested in other pursuits, anu
. procuring the necessaries of life
EV as cheap price as possible. Ant
can tell you that the people of t
country are not disposed longer
. be- taxed to death to enrich the m
= ers and manufacturers. The rep,
lican masses are just as much int
ested in Kidding themselves of
~ exactions complained of as are
3m
democrats.
/. And now let me predict the resi-
We Cleveland will be elected by
md largest majority of the popular v
eep ever given in seriously contes
-. o race for the presidency. Minnese
- Wisconsin and Michigan will c