Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-01-30

t-A~' A'.NA tAS4iA StSAlu " HA-Lt a> pN 0dN. II
the emergency demands, to their uttermost Ell
durance, until the latest hour of this repudiate
congress shall expire. Assure them of your al
preciative approval and support. for they stan
in defense Of the rights and liberties of ou
country.
The message may well go with especial helr
fulness from the spirited people Of Wisconsin
They, too, have but recently been driven back I
defense of the fundamental principles of demo
cratic liberty. and admirably have declared thei
| intelligent fidelity. On our lesser theatre, tn
strong government theory has found expression
asserting the paternalism of the State above tn
paternal rights of Nature. Skilfully disguise,
under the holy cause of education. dear to ever
freeman, the false doctrine was grated on ou
law, that the child may be taken from tn
faithful parents arms to be guided in h
| life by such teaching as the public officia
may prescribe, private and parochia
| schools be visited, with frowning scrutiny
to conform their course of study 10 the line o
arbitrary opinion. What though in itself, thi
| first particular invasion might have done com
| paratively moderate injury! The line of hbert,
was crossed, the threat implied of all the peril
that lie beyond it; and with the quick perception
and resentment of people worthy to be free, il
| vigilant guard of every boundary of principle
| the enlightened decree was loudly spoken, which
! You, gentlemen, enjoy the happy privilege tC
| record, by repeal Of that hostile statute May il
be the last that ever here shall challenge division
by the differences of race or creed, or strike al
the fraternal fellowship of the citizens of Wis
consiu.
| Gentlemen: need not say to you fresh from
our united labors in the common cause, by what
lamp my feet will B6 guided on the course of duty
to which you purpose to call me- The trust you
repose without exacting pledge or promise,
| shall strive, by the true faith of democrat to
discharge in the spirit of your commitment Of
it to me
The religion of democracy is love of man, its
supreme aspiration for the highest liberty. and
thereby the highest welfare of all men. 1t teach
es reliance on their integrity and wisdom
upon which all just government must ultimately
rest. 1t commands the utmost diffusion of the
benefits of education, enlightenment and social
privilege: but through personal effort in
that way which most conduces to in
divdual development, strength and indie
pendence. 1t inStructs us that the light
est touch of government and the largest oppor
tunity for self-advaucement most promote the
happiness of the people and the glory of the
state. 1t demands the equal right of every man
TO every dollar of his honest gains tD protection
in rery just acquisition which may contribute to
the oys of life. And ardenrly it condemns that
falsr and wicked hereSy, disguise it by whatever
sophistry, which will permit the servants of the
common public to make laws which take from
them who toll for it. any part of the wealth they
produce to enrich and eXalt any favored rank
or class earth, whether kings. nobility or tariff
lords. God be praised for the enlightenment in
this respect which has come to the hands of our
fellow cOuutrymeu. Long enough they have
suffered the oppression of such baneful legislation
Long enough have the wages of the Iaborer been
steaithily flched by cents and dimes from his
unconscious fingers until the dollars of his earn
ings are left no bigger than the mere demands
of nature on him. Long enough have economic
philosophers talked of the benefcent distribu-
tion of wealth, while our laws have gathered the
harvests of our fields into granares which the
producer cannot enter
It is time that craftsmanship turned aside from
plotting the fraudulent perpetuation of power by
theft of elections, to catch some Illuminating
rays from the lights that mark the scenes OF
wealth creating toll, from the mast-lamp that
tosses through the night above the watch ne
sailor, from the candle that wanders in subter-
ranean passages on the toiling miners head, OF
the lantern in the farmers hand as he walks his
stables long before the sun begins to cheer the
winters day 1t is time that liberty blessed
labor with the right to keep. well as the right
to earn.
know full well that from the day of jefferson
to the present hour, the mouth pieces Of dig
archy have ever met the advocacy of popular
rights and the defense of individual liberties with
the cry Of demagogue." Let no one be de
TERED from his convictions, or their mainten
ance, by epithets or ISLANDERS. There is the dem
agogue, and there is the democrat; and they are
as wide asunder as the poles. One grovels among
the baser elements of society, panderng to evil,
leveling downward things which are good, dis
turbing to injure, and seeking to stand only on
what is low AMI dcbaSed. Far different is the
democrat. His mission is to elevate and ennobIe
his race His appeal goes to the noblest sentiments
that adorn and exaIt humanity. Holding fast
that which is good he strives to extend excel
lence to all men. Supporting all the rights of
property, maintaining the laws and defending
social order, at whatever cost, he seeks but to
bring all men within their beneicent care, and to
eSIttpiiSu SOCldI Sdlelg On us lTHltSJ
in the willing hearts of all by the principles of
equal justice and human fraternity He stands
for the liberty of all, but for that wise and in
telligent liberty which best preserves the equal
rights of all.
The demagogue is the public enemy, the demo-
crat the best earthly friend of humanity.
Fellow democrats, We know our principles
underlie the constitution of our country and
form the just basis on which to expect the per.
manence of our institutions We know every de-
parture in government from them injuries our
citizens, while by their faithful extension and full
effect we promote prosperity and brighten the
promise of the future.
Great undertakings lie before US, measures of
vast Importance must go into force 1t is only
by means of a wide spread, united and sincere
party organization that the people can possibly
effect any beneficial change IN the laws or pras-
tees of their government. And it devolves upon
our party to so uprightly serve the people that
it may command their confidence, which its prin-
ciples are justly entitled to possess Thus may
reform visit with wisdom the laws and usages
which require correction, and effective steps be
taken to restore good government, prosperity
and happiness to all our countrymen.
In fidelity to the principles we profess and in a
sincere purpose to aonsecrate my labor TO their
advancement, l place my justification for at
tempting the duties aCd responsibilities of the
Office to which your honoring favor directs my
service,
A dozen times during the speech was
Col. Villas interrupted by applause. bat at
no time vas it more demonstrative than
at the alIusion to that hostile statute"
meaning the Bennett law. The splendid
delivered with all the eIoquence
of him who today has no peer as an orator,
was followed by prolonged applause in
which the university yell was not lost.
Reception.
The caucus was then adjourned, and
Col Villas held an informal reception in
the chamber.
This nomination viii te ratified by both
houses in joint. session at II O'Clock noon
next Tuesday, the 9th inst.
GETTING PR0TD