, 1891-01-09

with the rights of the people in the To-
caliiies concerned, dlscrediting their hon
esty and fairness and Justly arousing their
jealousy of centralized power, we will
stubbornly resist such a dangerous and
revolutionary scheme, in obedience to our
pledge for the support OF the state
governments 10 all their rights"
Under anti Democratic encouragement
we have seen a constantly increasing sci.
6shness attach to our political affairs. A
departure from the sound and safe theory
that the people should support the gov
ernmen for the sake of the benefits re-
sulting TO all, has bred a sentiment mann
Testing itself With astounding holiness.
that the government may be enlisted IN
the furtherance and advantage OF private
interests. through their willing agents 10
public place. Such an abandonment CT
the idea of patriotic political action on the
part of these interests, has naturally led
to an estimate of the peoples franchise
SO degrading that it has been openly and
palpably debauched for the promotion of
selfish schemes. Money is invested in the
purchase of votes with the deliberate cal
c~ulation that it will yield a profitable re-
turn in results advantageous to the in
weston. Another crime akin to this in
motive and design. is the intimidation by
employers OF the voters dependent upon
them for work and bread.
Nothing could be more nateful to true
and genuine Democracy than such ~offenses
against our tree institutions. In several
OF the states the honest sentiment of the
party has asserted itself. in the support Of
every plan proposed for the r~ectiication OF
this terrible wrong. To fail 10 such sup
port would be to violate that prime pie in
the creed of true Democracy, which COM
mands "a jealous care of the right of cleo
ton BY the people," for certainly no one
can claim that suffrages purchased or cast
under the stress OF threat and intimidation
represent the right OF election by the peo-
pie.
Since a free and unpollute1 ballot must
be conceded as absolutely essential to the
maintenance OF our free institutions, [
may perhaps be permitted to express the
hope that the state OF PENNSYLVANIA will
not long remain behind her sister states 10
adopting an effective plan to protect her
peoples suffrages. In any event, the
Democracy of the state can find no iustifi
cation in party principle, nor in party
traditions. nor 10 a just apprehension of
Democratic duty. for a failure earnestly TO
sunpor' and advocate ballot reform.
| have thus far attempted to state some
OF the principles Of true Democracy. and
their Application to present conditions.
Their enduring character and thei con
slant influence upon those who profess
our faith have also been suggested. Ii |
we're now asked why they haze so en-
dured and why they have been invincible.
| should reply in the words of the senti.
ment to which / respond: They are en-
during because they are right. and irwin
chile because they are just"
The belief 10 these propositions, as
moral truths, is nearly universal among
our countrYmen. We are mistaken il we
suppose the time is distant when the
clouds of s~elishness and perversion will
he dispelled and their conscientious be-
liei will become the chief motive force
in the political action of the people.
We are permitted to contemplate to-
night the latest demonstration of the peo-
nle's Appreciation of the right, and of the
acceptance they accord 10 Democratic doc
trine when honestly presented. In the
campaign which a just closed with such
glorious results. while party managers
were anticipating the issue in the light of
the continued illusion of the people, the
people themselves and for themselves
we're considering the question of right and
IhoAtNt- lucy nhNt FpphCu duu tue
Democracy OF the land rejoice.
In the signs of the times and IN the re
suit of their late state campaign the
Democracy of Pennsylvania must find
hope and inspiration. Nowhere has the
sensitiveness of the people on questions
involving right and wrong been better il
Illustrated than here. Attbe head of your
state government there will soon stand a
disciple oS true Democracy. elected by
voters who would have the right and not
the wrong when their consciences were
touched. Though there have existed
here conditions and influences not alto
gether favorable TO an unseiiish appfehe1-
sion OF the moral attributes of political
doctrine, [ believe that if these features
OF the principles of true Democracy are
persistebtly advocated the time will
speedily come when, as in a daY, the pat
ri9tic hearts of the people OF your great
commonwealth will be stirred to the sup
port Of our cause.
1t remains to say that in the midst Of
our rejoicing and in the time of party hope
and expectation. we should remember
that the way OF right and justice should be
followed as a matter of duty and regard
less of immediate success. Above all
things, let us not for a moment forget
that grave responsibilities await the party
which the people trust; and let us look
for guidance to the principles of true De-
mocracv. which are enduring because
they are right, and invincible because they
are just