Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-11-21


burdens of their life, made by the party en-
trusted with the government, was but a
scheme to pay the debts incurred by the
purchase Of party success, while it further
increased the impoveriShment of the
masses.
The people were at last aroused and
demanded an explanation. They had been
taught for one hundred years that in the
distribution of benefits their government
should be administered with equality and
justice. They had learned that wealth was
not Indispensable % reSpectabiitv and
that it did not entitle its poSsesSorS to
especial government favorS. Humble men
with Scanty incomes had been encouraged
by the influence and the spirit of our inSti-
tuuonS to practice economy and
trugahty to the end that they might
enjoy to the utmost the rewards of their
toll. The influence of the American home
was still about them. In their simplicity
they knew nothing of a new dispensation
which made cheapneSS disreputable, and
they still loved the cheap coats of Lincoln
and Garfield, and hundreds of their coun-
trymen whom they held in veneration.
And thus these unSOphIStiCated Americans,
unconscious of their wrong-doiug. de-
mandeC the redemption of party pledges
'tA'N' ANi III btNGI l.ldl
they might provide the neceSSarleS and
comforts of life for themselves and their
families at the lowest possible cost
he leaders of the party. which was
caught In the act of robbery and which was
arralgned by the people for a violation of
Its trust, were forced 10y their sad predica-
ment to a desperate expedient To at
tempt to reverse the current cf true
AmerlcanlSm and diScredit the most hor-
orlbte sentiments belonging to American
manhood, wire the dISgraceful tasks of
those who mSulted our people by the an.
nOuncement of the doctrine that to desire
cheapDeSS was to love naStineSS, and to
practice economy and frugality was un-
American.
Thus do we plainly see that when the
path pointed out by patriotism and Ameri-
can citizenship is torSaken by party in
power, for schemes of selhShneSs and for
unscrupulouS conSpiracies for partisan
success. It's course inevitably leads to
unjust favoritism, neglect of interests of
the masses, entire perverSion of the mis-
sion of republican institutions, and
in some form, to the most impu-
dent and outrageous insult to true Ameri-
can sentiment.
1T cannot be denied that political events
in the past have gone far towards encour-
aging arrogant party assumption. Every
thoughtful and patriotic man has at times
been disappointed and depressed by the
apparent inditfere ence and demoralization
of the people.
But such reflections have no place in
the fluctuations of tonight. This is a
time when faith in our countrymen should
be fully re-established. The noise of
recent political revolution is still heard
throughout the land; the people have just
demonstrated that there is point beyond
which they cannot be lead by blind par
tiSanShip, and that they are quite COM
petent to examine and correctly decide po-
ihcal questions concerning their rights
and their welfare. They have unmerci-
fully resented every attack upon true
American manhood, and have taught
party leaders that though slow to anger,
they take terrible revenges when betrayed.
They permit us to forgive our hon
ored guest for all the cheap
coats he has ever worn for
they have declared them to be in fashion
They have also decreed that the Decalogue
has "A place in our politics, for they have
enforced the command Thou shalt not
steal and have rendered an emphatic
witness.
Nothing could so we'll accompany the
honors we pay our distinguished guest as
the celebration on his birthday of the vic
tory which has just been achieved
in vindication of American citizenship
for in him we honor the man
who has best illustrated true hmeri
can manhood Our rejoicing and his are
increased, as we also celebrate tonight the
triumph of a democratic principle for
which he fought and fell two short years
ago, and to complete our JOY and his we
are permitted to indulge in true demo- |
cratic enthusiasm over the steadfastness |
and devotion to its creed exhibited by our
party, which knowing no encouragement, |
has fought to victory in the people cause.
who can now doubt our countrymen's
appreciation of that trait so well illustrat-
ed in the character of Allen c. Thurman,
which prompted him throughout his long
career, at all times and in all circum
stances. and without regard to personal
consequences, to do the things which his
conscience and Judgment approved, and
which seemed TO him to be in the interests
of his country and in accordance with his
democratic faith? Who can now doubt
that consciencea and courage point out the
way to public duty?
"If we entertain more solemn thoughts
on this occasion, let them be concerning
the responsibility which awaits US as our
fellow countrymen place in our keeping
their hopes and their trust. We shall fail
in our obligations to them if we stIhe con-
science and duty 10y ignoble paTtisanship;
but we shall meet every patriotic expecta-
tiOn if, in all we do, we follow the guild
ance of true and honest democracy, illum-
mated by the light of genuine American
citizenship"
Tremendous applause marked the close
of the address.
Ex-senator Mcdonald responded TO the
Senate; Congressman Breckenridge, Of
Kentucky, to the Democracy in America;
Hon w. K Wilson, to the House Of
Representatives; Hon Don II. Dickinson,
of Michigan, to the Democracy of the
Future and Gov Campbell to the State
of Ohio. Several other addresses were
made.
Messages and letters of congratulations
received by Judge Thurman were almost
innumerabe Many of them are from
prominent republicans. Among some Of
the senders are ex-President Hayes,
Governor Hill, Senator Evartg,
ex-Secretary of State Bayard,
Chief Justice Fuller, Justices Bradley and
Brewer, Editor Childs. ex-Attorney Gen
eral Garland, ex-Commander Rhea, of the
G. A. R.. General Butler, Carl Schurz,
General Fitz Hugh Lee Goyernor-elect