The Opelousas courier., 1888-09-22

Vidalia Sentinel.
The campaign may be said to nave
been formally opened on the Democfa'
tic side by Hon. Allen g. thurman,
candidate for vice president, who de-
liyered a long and able speech at Port
Huron, Mich, on Wednesday last. His
speech was sound and logical in all its
bearings, and just such an address as
might have been expected from the
"Old Roman who is the leading states
man of the United States to-day. For
the head of the ticket, Grover Cleve-
land, Mr.. Thurman had nothing but
words of praise, which contradicts the
reports circulated some time since that
there were differences existing between
the Democratic nominees. OfMr. Cleve-
land he spoke as follows:
cit is not necessary for me, before l
proceed to that subject, to speak of the
President of the United States and his
administration more than a very few
words. defy any man who has re-
gard for the truth to say that Grover
Cleveland has not made a good Presi-
dent of the United States. A brave, in
telligent, level -headed, noble man, he
has had a clean and upright and sue
cessful administration. Four years ago
he was elected. In the canvass that
preceded his election his opponents pre-
dicted all manner of evil in case he
should succeed. He did succeed and
pray what has become of their predic-
tons? Where is the ruin that was to
follow the election of Grover Cleveland!
Where is the disgrace that was to fol-
low his election?
"On the contrary, the country has
been more quiet, more peaceable, more
prosperous than it has been for many
years that have gone by. Now | know
the man, [ know him we'll. [ tell you
my fellow-citizens, that q nor upright
and more wise man [ do not believe
dwells within the limits of the United
States.
"And he has had a noble band o.
counsellors around him and not least
among them is the distinguished citi,
zen of your own State, Mr.. Dickinson
[Great %applause.] Cleveland knows
not only how to rule himself within the
limits of the constitution, but he knows
full well how to choose good constitu
tional advisers"
Upon the fariff question Mr.. Thur
man dwelt long and ably, and clearly
demonstrated to his hearers, largely
made up Of ~workingmen, that they had
nothing 60 fear from the principles
enunciated in the tariff plank of the
Democratic platform. On the contrary
it was calculated in every particular to
promote their interest, and protect
them from the expressions of monopo-
lists. On the other hand, the high
tariff principles of the Republicans
would surely rebound largely to theil
disadvantage and aid in keeping them
in such a servile position, that it will
not be many years before they will be
reduced to the level of the pauper labor
of Europe. The tariff ideas and prac'
tees Of that party would have the eff,
feet of fostering monopolies, of making
the rich richer and the poor poorer, un'
til the tihe would come when the work.
ing men would become literally The
slave of his employer.
Mr.. Thurman also touched upon nn'
merous other topics, all of which he
handled with mastery skill and ability
This speech is a magnificent campaign
document, and it should be read an
digested by, every honest, fair minded
citizen of the country, Democrat or Re
publican, and then contrasted with the
bombastic, platitudinous utterances o.
James G.. Blaine on the subject of pro,
lection. It will not suffer by the com
p~arison nay, it will have the effect o.
e%nlightening many of those who are be-
ing misled by the speeches Of their re
publican leaders.