The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-10-27
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.
ADDRESS OF THE STATE DEMOCRATIC
COMMITTEE TO VOTERS.
The Importance of tho Contest-Repub-
ltcan Success n National Danger
Evils of Republican Rule
Work of Democracy.

ANNt AOttSSOs5 wa
charged by the Democracy of Missouri with
tho management of the State campaign, in &C
cordanCe with precedent, and III earnest
conviction of duty, submit the following con
siderations, which they profoundly believe
should influence the action, not only of every
Democrat, but every intelligent, patriotic
voter Of whatever party at the November
election:
THE IMPORTANCE OF II CONTEST.
The questions to be decided by the people of
the United States at that election are of mo
mentous and pervading importance. Al
classes of society and the varied interests of
all the great industries which support ma
tional progress are clearly and directly in
volved. This impressive fact must not for a
moment be forgotten or ignored. The coun-
try is prosperous and peaceful, but ii is new
ertheless a solemn and unquestionable truth
that unless the policy and principles expressed
in'the Democratic platform, and represented
by the Democratic candidates, are vindicated
and supported, the guarantees OF social hap
piness and tranquility and the foundations
of permanent industrial progress will be i'm
perillcd if not wholly destroyed. We insist
that this is the inevitable conclusion forced
upon every dispassionate mind that examines
the difference, not only in formulated princi-
piles but in spirit and tendence between the
two great parties claiming the suffrages of
the American people.
REPUBLICAN SUCCESS A NATIONAL DANGER.
There is one lesson that history e~nforces
more powerfully than any other, and that is,
that the causes which most freauently IN
dermine a nations strength are insidious and
gradual in operation, and arise from avarice,
selfish motives, and the ambitions of particu-
lar classes and leaders, National objects
become oyershadowed by special inter
ests; patriotism withers under the congealing
and destructive influences Of cliques and con
spiracies for private gain; wealth accumu-
lates in the hands of the few the opportunities
of power are perverted and the real needs of
the great BODY of the people disappear in the
extraordinary prominence given To the de-
mands of a class. We assert that this decay
in principle, and corruption in spirit, are rep
resented in the history and present condition
of the Republican party, aud for this reason
its SUCCESS in November would be a lamenta-
BILE national disaster. 1t would mean a res
~toration to power of a party inspired by mar
row and sordid purposes, managed by men
and associations governed by motives and
ideas unpatriotic and un-American in nature
and effect. 1t would again place in power the
party rejected b. the people four years ago,
with all it's essential vices and features un-
changed.
EVILS OF REPUBLICAN RULE.
For a period of twenty-four years the Re
publican party was in practical control of the
government, and, during the twenty years
following the close of the civil war il must
accept responsibility for everything that was
done in legislation, in the public service, and
in the management of all financial and indus
trialinterests. 1t shaped and moulded public
oFfai.s ,,l oeo,,o l;,n,+ior e., r,r. ,,t;o.o1
life. Now It cannot be denied that during
the period named the most dangerous evils
rose in the United States-cvils directly
traceable to debased policy and principles of
government. 1t was during that period of
Republican supremacy that the most astonlsh-
ing and deplorable events and changes were
inwrought with our national history; many
of which stained with ineffaceable dishonor
the fair name and fame of our country.
It was during the period of Republican rule
that corruption seized upon the public SER
vice.
1t was during Republican rule that the
springs of legislation were polluted, and con-
spiracies and combinations arose within the
very halls of Congress, for the wrctchcd and
degraded purposes of moncy-gctting and
fraud.
1t was during Republican rule that the
rights of the citizen were first menaced by
impersonal entities called corporations, and
those spectral vampires, trusts, monoplics and
associations based upon special interests and
rendered possible By government grants and
corrupt Legislation.
1t was during Republican rule that vast
areas of the public domain, equal in extent
to the territory of many great States, and
belonging to the people, and intended for pub
lie benefit, were granted away to corpora
tons, assisting to aggrandlze powers and in
fuenccs already dangerous TO the safety of
the people.
1t was during Republican rule that legisla-
ton was so warped in favor of particular
objects that public needs ~languished, ignored
and neglected, while a few protected indus
tries flourishcd Tor the benefit of private
individuals.
1t was during Republican rule, and directly
owing to Republican legislation, that our com
mercial marine disappeared from the high
seas, and our national prestige and character
suffered corrcspOndingly in the eyes Of the
world.
IL was during Republican rule that the
country saw for the first time in its history
rapid and extraordinary accommodations of
wealth in the hands of the few, while indus
trial depression afflicted and dist resscd the
the MANY. monopolisis multipIvinrt their mill
ions under the mauic or onnortuuitv and ijI,-
o;,i,,+o a,,bin,+;,n ,Lc,.i;,., ,L;,.