Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27

this State and the greatness of this people.
Here is an empire of beauty and power, where
opulence of natural wealth blesses people OF
industry in homes of contentment. speak OF
it with partial tongue. 1t is a State very dear
to me. For it is not strangers blood that
leaps in my veins in affectionate response to
the mention of its name. 1t was long the home
Of my kinsmen, many of whom remained To
sleep in its soil. A few miles up one OF the
busy rivers that hold in their arms this city Oh
commercial victory my mother was born.
Therefore, 1 am in part Pennsylvania. and
every foot of Pennsylvania soil and every leaf
of laurel about the fame of the State or the
fame of any OF its people is very dear TO me.
love it for all that 1t is in history and for an
that it has done in brave and generous way Ior
country and mankind.
1t was in Valley Forge that the Continental
Army, nursing back into life dying hope, found
the renewed courage that insured the Amer
lean Republic. 1t was at Gettysburg that the
Union Army, with its svalor and blood, placed
the scarlet line of sufficient defense between
the exultant rebel army and the discouraged
Government at Washington. In all the great
crisis of a nation, in every time of every great
and honest need of mankind. Pennsylvania has
proved its humanity, its faith in God and its
to the home of his forefathers, God bless the
noble and faithful old Commonwealth.
The Days of Parades Past.
fIwere going to make a speech in politics,
and if were going to speak for the Republi-
can press, as have been asked to 60 here to-
night, 1 would say many plain things in this
time of plain need. / can speak little for the
press, as I have been a truant from my own
work for over two years, and hardly feel the
title to speak here in its behalf tonight, al
though my heart has been with it all the time 1
have been in other works.
The consideration of the press daily grows
more and more important. We are in state
of transmission somewhat as to methods. Mr..
Brice was much derided for his phrase in 1888
that the campaign of that year was an intel
lectual one; yet his statement was true 70
litlcal contests are coming more and more to be
fought in the arena OF discussion and In the
newspaper press. The days of parades and
physical demonstrations are pretty plainly
passing away The torchlight and the red
light as political arguments are being super
ceded by the intellectual discussion of the
press. The campaign of 1892 will be largely a
campaign, and it has already begun.
Let US be frank. and say that the Democrats
saw this before the Republicans. for any close
observer must have seen with interest, and
almost astonishm ent, the marvellous manner in
which the Democratic party has been strength
ening it's lines in the newspaper way in the
past few years. 1t did not use to care much
use to care as much as the Republican party
for the newspaper and the magazine In latter
days. it has been beating US in our own game.
In the large cities of the East they have cap
LuTcu uedEly hll bu0 dLiucS duu hiuosiosou
papers.
Purity In Politics Needed.
Mr.. Clarkson then dwelt'on his beliefs in
the policy of rotation in Office and the plat
form of the Republican party, and added:
1 also believe as a Republican. and would ad-
vocate as an editor, the purest possible cleo
tions. The question of an honest ballot is
higher than anything in politics or partisan
ship, for it involves not only the honor, but the
life of a nation, which is dearer to us and more
precious to our children than anything of party
honor or splendor. If the Australian system
be the right thing, let us have it. In the South
l think we need the Australian system for vot-
ing. but an American system for counting.
The Southern question is the great and luml-
nous one of all, no matter how much it is ridi-
culed. The tariff is an anchorage, the cardinal
doctrine of faith, and the Republican party. in
being true to that, is true to the Republic. But
the Republican conscience wants something
that cannot in any sense be called sordld is
sue.
A sacred ballot is the epigram of an enduring
Republic.
1t means, if adopted, that the Southern ques-
ton becomes paramount IN politics, for there
Is no pretense, even by the candid opposition,
that the elections of the South are fair.
The destiny OF this nation is now known. The
N orth, South and West are to be nelghbors
and allies, all parts of one republic. Therefore.
there is and can be but common interest in
common rule OF tair play. The North asks asks
The conscience of the nation cannot be rid of
The black man. In the wisdom of the Father
of us all the black man has played an important
part in this Republic: and in the continuing
wisdom of the higher powers he is with US still.
rhe proposition that he shall not vote, the
proposition that he shall be sent to another
country. are all propositions against the yer
1ict oil the war, and against fate itself. He is
l human being. Because he has been wronged
yives his case more merit rather than less. This
s his own country. and he may not be sent
owe for home equal TO, il not exceeding, that
If the white man. Indeed, the melodies that
We all sing in our homes are the melodies OF
.he black mans love for home. 1t is question
20 vex the American people; but God some
lines vexes people for wise purpose.
Time to Redress Wrongs.
Six generations of American people have op-
PRESSED and wronged the black man. The
eventh may at least begin. not to add to his
wrongs, but to try to redress them. When the
black man comes bringing five wounds with
lin to plead, he must not take six wounds back
With him to show as the only answer given him
n his time of need. The wisdom to settle this
question, it may be hard to find but it must be
ound. If God rules in the affairs of men (and
reverently believe that he does), the solution
or the problem must be gained in the wisdom
hat is found when man is alone with God, as
lincoln found it on his knees in the dark days
II the war. Let God and his rule not be for
dr. Grady asks the North to give
!p its opinion as to the South and
he negro, and asks the Republican
,arty to give up its platform and principles as
o the South and the negro, he seems to have
orgotten that evenif our party had surren-
ered its creed the conscience of the North, |
ould not, even if it would, give up that by
vav of protection to the weak which God never |
lows to be given up. Let the Republican party
,e destroyed, let the North become entirely |
question of the wrong of the negro; there is
till the great question that here is a race of |
,0OO, QUO of people on their knees before God
skiing for help and protection which God in
ONE way will see is granted. So we say in the |
jouth, and we say to the Gradys, good in heart |
nd eloquent in tongue, The Republican party |
ould not give you what you ask, even if it |
1anted to do it.
Words won't Settle 1t.
The negro is in America, and to stay. He is |
n American. He loves his country. One hun
red and eighty-two thousand black men stood |
S soldiers in the loyal army, offering their own
yes to help save the life of the nation. The |
lack man is a human being and he is a voter. |
What is the South going to do with him? Its |
eople, and even its best people, say: We can |
ettle this question better than the nation can. |
'erhaps it Is right. Perhaps the nation should |
rant that. But never can this nation be ex-
used on its conscience from watching to see |
nat the queSt1On lS IN process OF settIement
nd insisting that in some way it shall be set
led. Every material interest it has is
lvolved. The very question of safety in
IS home is involved, as well as honor.
iere words of eioquence will neither
ettle it, nor begin to settle it. nor abate the
lterest and duty of tine nation to see it settled.
here is bright spot here and there in the
outh. A few days ago the Charleston Ne,cs
nd Courier, in speaking of this subject said
Oddly: "lt is useless for Southern statesmen
D condemn the Republican method of solving
he negro problem. unless they can suggest a
etter method"
This is the whole thing. 1t states the Northern
osition. The nation has right to ask the
outh how it is going to settle this question,
nd when it Is going to settle it. Meantime,
ne negroes the most patient race the earth |