The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-04-14
AN ADDRESS TO THE DEMOCRATIC
VOTERS OF MISSOURI.

The State Democratic Central Com
mittGe has issued the following address
to the people OF Missouri. The recOm
m%endatiOns made are OF great impor.
lance and we hope To see them promptly
acted upon:
HEADQUARTERS DENuCHATIC
STATE Committee or MISSOURI. {
To the Democrats OF the Sintc ot Ms
SOHri:
| would call your attention to certain
steps that should be taken by the dem
oCrats of this state, TO secure not only
the legitimate democratic maturity III
our own state, but To enable us to give
aid and assistance to our Democratic
brethren in states where they may be
in need of ii helping hand. We must
look mt the situation without prejudice,
and give the opposition the benefit OF
all the doubts.
The most powerful party that has
ever existed in American politics with
one eXception) was dispOssesSGd OF tho
control OF the executive department of
III government, less than iour years
ago. after one Of the hardest fought
political contests that has ever taken
place on this continent. They had an
unlimited control for twenty-fOur years,
during which time they exercised II
power, owing to the condition of affairs,
that no party should u ever will
again.
Under 4 construction of he C0nsti-
tuition that only wal could justify, they
adopted a schedule of tariff taxes whose
excuses then could barely be tolerated,
but were justified by the cry that
money must be had TO supply the
extraordinary demands OF the govern
ment, and IN every instance the gov
ernmental power was used to enrich
the few while pauperiZing the many
by their impost. Now that the war has
been over Tor twenty four years, and
every evidence of indebtedness
of the government that is
due and payable has been paid, and
with over l50, 900 600 dollars surplus
of the peoples hard earnings piled up
IN the dark cellars of the U. 5. treas
ury, where it is of no more use TO the
people than it was before it was first
delved from the bosom of the earth,
with a continual coming in of o
than - ,000, 900 er month more money
than can possibly be used, without
great extravaganza or waste, this great
party, throwing of its mask, now
demands that this Ubiquitous war
"Tariff" shall be continued as a "prO-
lection to infant industries or in Other
words, in the interest and for the bene-
ft and protection of millionaire man.
ufacturers.
Throughout the land they are
organizing with a fixed purpose to
regain their control of the government
at all hazards and at any cost, and we
must cOncede to them a powerful
organization, controlled by men of
brains, talent and an unlimited supply
of money, money accumulated during
"a years OF unrestrained power. With
them it is a struggle for existence, and
we must expect 10 find them fighting
to desperation. All over this land, in
every hamlet, they are organizing clubs,
Or as they call them, Leagues, to aid
them in regaining their power. We
must recognize that in organization
there Is strength, and to defeat organ
lied effort we must have organization.
The day of sentimental politics is past;
it has become a question of business
interests, or rather OF "Bread and but
condition, not a theory" The
great economical questions must be
discussed and presented to all so they
may be understood, and TO do this
successfully and intelligently we must
organize. For this purpose the dem
ocrats In every township and county in
state ara urged iO OrpaniZe demo- |
cratic clubs. To make them success
full. all attempt on the part of clubs to
the action of any nominating
convention or primaries, in favor of
any candidate, must be strictly pro
hibited. Ihave prepared proper blanks
and constitutions for organizing such
and will be glad to furnish them
OH application. d.. ii. SHIELDS,
Chrm'n Democratic State Com.
Hannibal, Mo-, Apil g., 1888.