The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-09-07
HON. NJ. ID. HARTER.

The following address was delivered to tn
Democratic State Convention by Chairman
Hon NJ. d. Eprter:
GENTLEMEN I'VE are here as the represen
tatives, in the great Commonwealth OF Ohio, o
party which, born in the earlier hours of th
Republic, has lived down to this present time
as the champion of the rights of the people,
party which, through good and evil report, ha:
always believed in the form of government un
der which we live and which never failed tC
pour out its best blood in every struggle for 1t.
defense and which to-day survives that il may
during the remaining years of the century per
form IL noblest work for the people and win
glorious, but bloodless, struggle for the consti
tutional rights of the masses against the en-
croachments of the powerful few, entrenched as
they are behind unjust laws, and aided by wide
spread ignorance OF economical truth. We are
not here to mourn over our defeat in the last
national elections. We rejoice in the memory
Of the magnificent administration which oui
most honorable and able of recent American
Presidents gave TO this nation and we are
proud of the share we took in the elections OF
1884 and 1883, and now sitting in the shadow OF
defeat am certain there is not man worthy
of the name hero present who would not prefer
TO forever remain cut of power than to retain IL
by hiding his convictions or turning deaf ears
TO the suiIerings of the masses of the people. If
there is one thing more than another for which
we honor Mr.. Cleveland, and for which the
people will always remember him CRATE
fully it is that while he might have
kept tho grestest office in the world
by holding his peace when the rights
of the people were being trampled upon, he
chose rather to put this most dazzling heartily
honors aside that he might become the cham
pion of the common people and the leader OF
those who never looked upon his face, or were
able to leave their tarif-imposed tasks long
enough to plead the cause OF themselves, their
wives and their helpless children Modern
history presents TO this generation at least no
nobler example of human action than this. To
day we can recall no essential feature OF his ad-
ministration of the Government which we
would radically change or materially alter. An
administration pure, elevated efficient hon
ored at home, respected abroad; the highest
type of repres Government, the glory
OF the past and the inspiration of the future;
such, my coun;rtmen: such, my fellow Dem
ocrats, was the administration which we gave
TO this nation, and like it will be many more
which in the brighter days of the Republic, we
shall again supply. In the light of the but re-
gent past we are here to-day to express our con-
victions and declare our political faith, and as
now look down into your honest eyes and read
the intelligent faces of the representatives of
the Democratic party OF Ohio, see no inclina-
ton to dodge an issue or avoid n clear statement
OF the truth, but on the contrary IA determin-
aHon TO speak in terms so plain that he who
hastens may hear. while he who fingers will be
convinced
We shall again declare our love for our Gov
ernment, our devotion TO its institutions and
unQuestioning support OF the Constitution of the
United States of America, leaving our oppo-
nents no room for the silly and slanderous al-
legations that any party can be more devoted to
the Government than the Democratic party, or
any men more willing to lay down life If neces-
sary, in its defense than the hosts who stand
behind us and whose representatives we are.
HOME RULE
But while declaring our loyalty to the Ma
tional government we should be lacking in
courage, wanting in high political intelligence
and deficient in appreciation OF the symmetry
and beauty OF our form OF government If we did
not while demanding for the government at
Washington all IT'S just rights, firmly declare
for the necessary principle of Home Rule and
the individual responsibility of citizenship.
Knowing Us we do, that the stability and sue
cess OF government by the people must and al
ways VIII depend upon the political intelligence
OF the masses. the strict limitations of the Con-
stitution are the safe guards surrounding our
system, and we should declare that the States
should lealously hold TO and actively exercise
all the rights retained by them and that inside
of the States count es, townships cities, vii
lagos and school districts should with equal
vigilance, guard and exercise every local politi
cal privilege they rightfully possess In this
way alone can We secure intelligent citizen
ship, citizenship accustomed TO deal face to face
with political questions, and out of such con
tact develop tho individual political knowledge
and capacity upon which alone can great Re-
public securely rest. In this way we not only
secure economical and cnicient control OF local
Affairs, but we also take all unnecessary bur
dens from the State and National governments,
enabling them TO be more thorough and efficient
and give them ilrlncr claim upon the conf
dcEcc of the people The strongest government
on earth Is the American Union when the prin
ciplc OF Home Rule is put into most perfect
Al. sl.npa
naturalization has corrupted it and robbed it of
the respect and anGct!on OF the people
NOTATION ~ EXECUTIVE OFFICES.
The Democratic party believes in rotation in
elective Offices OF an executive character We
d not think the cause OF good government is
secured By the frequent reelection OF Presi-
dents, Governors shcris or mayors; it is in
deed our unwritien law that while judges and
representatives in Congress and in our State
Legislatures may with proprcty hold positions
of this kind with no limit but that liked by
character, capacity and faithfuluess, that two
terms in succession are all that conservative
political wisdom viii accord 10 executive OH
GERS and for good reason should this funda-
mental principle Of government be declared in
Ohio this fall and the people will raiify your
declaration at the ballo:-Pox
THE cIvIL SERVICE.
The removal OF over 800 faithful officers in
the civil service by Mr.. Harrison during the
dent and tho indirect p.urdering Of the treas
ury by the payment OF salaries to the close and
Immediate relatives OF himself aad OF his wife.
IN spite OF his promises and pledges made be-
fore the election, is a national scandal fthis
was a religious body, pure and simple, or con
vent.on of ethical philosophers would raise
the question whether religion has suffered as
much from the attacks OF Mr.. Ingersoll as IL
has from the broken pledges and dishonored
promises in connection with the civil service OF
our extremely religious President. But il is
=.learly within our province as q convention OF
patriotic citizens speaking for the loyal people
who have scnt us here. TO declare that public
ofico is pubic trust" and that VIC favor .
civil service system so perfect and so strict rs
10 make appointment 10 and retention in the
civil service OF tue United States denend upon
character, ability and fnithfulncss, ana which
will finally divorce IL from the influences OF
tise OF money.
PURIFY THE BALLOT.
And this brings Us 10 another Thing upon
which this convention should speak with no I'M
cert ia or daaiy yo:cei the corrupt use OF
mo icy In eieelloIs Either this must cease or
good government will come TO IN end. Men are
Dom'na Ior ONCE not because ihey arc rich.
Candidates who have ability and pltrlo'ism.
United with lofty personal character. bur with
out wealth ARE SCI aside for men whose sole
merit Is often The possession OF money. Not
10 ger ihan last year we saw a preposIerous
candidate from neighboring state for the
Republican domination for the Presidency
Dasing his claims ipon the possession OF large
we .ith gathered together by mean, of our