Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-22
In an Address ut Cooper Union He Scores
the Enemies Of Public Prosperity
and Urges on the Demo
cratic Party.

IL.
as well as members of a grand political organize
tion should be the subject of their serious con-
sideration- If may be INDUCED a few moments
I shall yccupy that much of your time in pre-
senting some suggestions touching the condi-
dition and responsibilities Of the democracy to
the peorze of the country, and the obligation
and duty of this particular time OF the democ-
racy of our state.
The democratic party has at all times been
Srctsssio. and by tradition the party OF the
people. say by profession and tradition but
by no means intend to hint in the use OF this
expression that in its conduct and action 1t has
failed to Justify its profession or been recreant
to its traditions. 1t must, however, be admit
ted that have had our season OF revival,
when the consciousness Of what true democ
racy really means has been specially awakened,
and when we have been unusually aroused TO q
lively appreciation of The aggreSSiveneSs and
activity which conscience exacts of those who
profess democratic faith and who are thus
listed in the peoples cause
We contemplate to night such a revival and
the stupendouS results which have thus far at
tended it. In view Of those things We cannot
be honest and sincere and fail to that .
stern and memorable duty is now at our door.
We saw the money of the people unnecessarily
extorted from them under the guiSe OF taxa
ton. We saw that this was the result of q
scheme perpetuated for the purpose OF exacting
tribute from the poor for the benefit OF the rich.
We saw growing out of this scheme the whole
sale debauchery and corruption OF the people
whom 1t impoverished
We saw q party which advocated ana DE-
Tended this wrong gain ing and holding power in
the government by the shameless appeal to
selfshness which il invited. We saw the peo-
pie actually Furnishing the bonds of misrepre-
sentation and mfsconception which held them,
and We saw sordidness and the perverSion OF
all that constitutes good citizenship every
hand, and sturdy Americsnism in jeopardy.
We saw a party planning to retain partisan
ascendancy by throttling and destroying the
freedom and integrity Of the suffrage through
the most radical and reckless legislation We
saw waste and extravaganza raiofng the public
treasury and justified in official places, while
economy in government expenditures was ridi-
culed by those who held In trust the peoples
money.
We saw the national assemblage Of the peo-
pies representatives transformed to the mere
force of violently created majority and by un-
precedented arbitrary rulings, while it was
ieeringly declared by those who usurped its
functions to be no longer deliberative body.
Then it was that the democratic party, stand.
ing forth to do determined battle against these
abuses which threatened the welfare and hap
piness Of the people, called upon them to trust
it, and promised them that the warfare should
be relentless and uncompromising AS results
OF the struggle then entered upon, never has
the resistless force OF the awakened thought Of
our countrymen been more completely demon
strated and never has the irresistible strength
OF the principles OF democracy been more fully
exemplifed. From the west and from the east
came tidings Of victory. In the popular branch
of the next congress the party which lately i'm
pudently arrogated to itself the domination OF
| that body will fill hardly more than one-fourth
of its seats Democratic governors occupy the
| enemy'S strongholdS in Iowa, Massachusetts,
Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan In Pennsy1-
vania the election OF democratic governor
presented conclusive proof of republican cor
ruption exposed and republican dishonesty de-
| tected.
| less democratic policy our work is not yet
| completely done. and want to suggest to you
| that any relaxation of effort within the lines
established by the national democracy will be
| a violation of the pledges We gave the people
| when we invited their cooperation and under
| took their cause.
do not forget that are gathered to-
| gether to ratify state nominations and that we
are Immediately concerned with state cam
paign. It seems to me. however, that while
national questions of the greatest import
| yet unsettled and when We are on the eve OF a
national campaign In which they must be
again pressed upon the attention Of the voters
| of the country, the democracy OF the great
| state Of New York cannot and will not entirely
| ignore them II fail to retain asceudancy
| in the Empire state no matter upon what issue
| it is lost, and no matter how much our OPP
| ponents may seek to avoid great and impor-
| tapt topics, 1t will be claimed the verdict Of
our people against the principles and platform
of the national democracy.
1t Is evident that if our opponents are per-
mitted to choose the line of battle they will
avoid all national issues. Thus far this is
4
| In this, for they may well calculate that what
ever may be their fate in other fields they have
| been decisivey beaten in the discussion of ma
| tional questions. It can hardly be expected
that they will come to the field of Waterloo
| again unless forced to do so.
am very far from having any fear OF the re-
| suit of q full discussion of the subjects which
! pertain to state affairs. We have album
| dance of reasons to furnish why these issues
| alone we should be further trusted with the
| state government; but it does not follow that
| 1t Is wise to regard matters of national con-
| Germ entirely foreign to the pending canvass,
and especially to follow the enemy in their
| lead entirely away from the issues they most
| fear and which they have the best OF reasons to
| dread This very fear and dread give in this
! particular case strength and pertinency TO the
doctrine that party should at ali times and in
| all places be made to feel the consequences of
| their misdeeds as long they have remaining
any power for harm and as long they justify
| and defend their wrong doing
| Those who act with us merely because they
| approve the present position OF the national
democrats and the reforms We have under
| taken and who oppose in national affairs re-
| publican policy and methods. and who still
| think the state campaign We have in hand has
| no relation to the principles and policy which
| they approve, are in danger OF falling into .
| grave error. Our opponents In the pending
| CANVASS. though now striving hard to hide their
identity in a cloud of dust raised By their tier
alton of irrelevant things. constitute a large
| factor in the party which, still far from harm
| less, seeks to perpetuate all the wrongs and
abuses of republican rule in natiolal affairs
| Though they may strive 20 appear tame and
tractable in state campaign, tney but dis
sembie to gain a new opportunity for harm
In the present condition of affairs IL is not to
to be supposed that any consistent and thought
! full member of the democratic organization can
fail to see it his duty 10 engage enthusiss-
tically and zealously in the support of the
| ticket and platform which represent our party
| in this campaign They are abundantiy
worthy and deserving of support on their OWL
merits and tor their own sake We seek 70
| place at the head Of our state government a
| man of affairs, who, in a long business career,
| has earned the good opinion and respect Of all
| his fellows whose honesty and trustwo-thiness
| have never been impeached, and who, I am
| sure will administer the great ONCE to which
| he will be called independently, fearlessly and
| for the good Of all the people OF the state We
| seek further TO secure the empire state In hel
| democratic steadfastness, aud we seek to wiz
. victory which shall redeem the pledges we
| have made to regard constantly the interests
| OF the people of the land and which shall give
| hope and confidence to the national democracy
| In the struggles yet to come
| With q party united and jealous, with N
| avoidance of any legitimate issue, with q 10
| fusal to be diverted from the consideration Of
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