Huntsville gazette. [volume] (Huntsville, Ala.) 1879-1894, 1890-08-02
AN ELOQUENT AFrE.L
Extracts from Ex- Governor Foraker's Re-
cent speech at Cleveland.

SChs SpocNh nv SicNcidnus
Great men ard great questions are not
all dead. We DO not need to live in the
past or on the past. The Republican
party to-day, as much as ever before,
represents the highest aims, the purest
purposes and The loftiest ambitions of
the American people. Who are to-day
the champions of American labor and
American industry? Where lies hope
for the preservation of q sound financial
system? To whom are the people of
this country looking, this very hour, for
free ballot and fair count? What
would suffrage and political equality be
worth to the colored man of the South
but for this party and its promises? AT
whose hands are the men, who periled
their lives that this Nation might live,
to receive the benefits of pension legis-
lation that will mete out to them just
recognition of their invaluable services?
Who is to-day, with wise, patriotic and
far-seeing craftsmanship, binding the
States of North and South America to-
gether in the bonds of commercial
union? Who settled the Samoan ques-
ton? Who is defending our interests
in the northern seas? Who is, every
hour almost, adding to the dignity and
the greatness of this Nation, and maxi
ing more and more respected every
where the flag of the United States?
When, in a time of peace, had we to
deal with graver matters, and when had
we greater success or more capable
leaders?
When did the country have q more
careful, patriotic, moral and high
minded Chief Magistrate than Benjam
Harrison? When, since our Government
was founded, had American interests a
better defender, or Republicanism an
ADLER and more brilliant representative
than is James G. Blaine? When was
there sturdier advocate of the right
and Justice of our cause in the chair of
the Speaker of the House of Represent
atives than is Thomas B. Reed? And
when, among the great men of the Ma
tion, did the Republican representa-
tives of Ohio stand higher than they do
to-day? In all the Senate no man out
ranks John Sherman, and in the House
of Representative our party never had
more gifted, more capable or a more
successful leader than is William Nc
Kinley, Jr., and no leader of his party
ever had ADLER assistants than are his
colleagues from this State. The truth
is, Republicanism was never more i'm
portant, and Ohio Republicans never
had greater cause to be both proud and
satisfied.
But look ahead. Six new States have
Just been admitted to the Union.
Bright, beautiful and promising sisters
they are. They will have nineteen
Republican votes in the next electoral
college. In the language of Garfield,
1.-The stars in their courses have fought
for u.s." and, we can add, that they
have gained the day. Are we, like a
parcel of petulant children, to fritter
away this advantage, or are we to be
men, and make Republicanism in
vincible? Are we to desert the ranks Of
this mighty column, with whose victories
we have been so long identified, in the
same moment that it receives this
splendid reinforcement? All! no! Our
duty is plain. We must stay where
we belong, and with these new
sisters march on to new victories
and new glories We have right
to be proud Of the past and proud
of the present. Let us hear and
now resolve, because of what we shall
make it, to be proud also Of the future.
The future, what wonderful future it
will bel Who can describe it's develop
ments? Great as is this people-mighty
as have been its works-a greater peo-
pie and still mightier works are before
us. Our population will shortly be
numbered by hundreds of millions, and,
no matter where our territorial bound
ary lines may run, the spirit and genius
of our institutions will ultimately dom
mate every foot of North American
soil. Our ships will plow every sea and
float the stars and stripes in every port.
To administer this country's affairs, to
maintain her rights, to extend her com
merce, to preserve her peace and main
tain her honor through all this coming
growth Of physical and political power,
is duty worthy of the best days of the
Republican party. In a special sense
tQlS uuIy is ours. IL We ldll W lully
and successfully discharge it we shall
disappoint the just claims Of both our
fathers and our posterity. We must not
fail. Our opportunity is here. This is
the starting point Are we ready to
meet the issue and answer the demands
that rest upon us? The man who does
not say ''yes" is not Republican; the
man who says Eyes" and then sulks in
his tent because he don't like a candi-
date, or don't like committee, or don't
like some other thing of the kind, is
false to his party, false to his country
and false to his conscience. Let US
then close up the ranks and go forward
with courage and confidence. Let us
lift our banner higher this year than
ever before. Let us here and now de-
termine to be satisfied with nothing
less than an old-fashioned war time
victory, such as will strengthen and
cheer our cause everywhere, make the
way easy for the redemption Of the
State next year and enable US to lead
the column in 1892.
All the Southern Brigadiers ask
is to be let alone. If they can poll the