Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-06-23

back into the fold, without penalties
or punishment, to an equal share with
those who had fought and savel the
nation, in the solemn obligations and
inestimable privileges OF American citi-
zenship. They were the embodiment
into the constitution of the principles
for which two millions of men fought
and half million had died, they were
the restoration OF public credit, the
resumption OF specie payment and the
prosperous condition OF solvent busi-
ness.
For twenty-five years these were
names with which to conjure, and
events, fresh in the public mind. which
were eloquent with popular enthusi-
asm. 1t need little else than the recital
of the glorious story of it's heroes and
the statement of the achievements OF
the people. But for desire for change,
which is characteristic of free govern
ments, there came a reversal, there
came a check, to the progress of the
Republican party, and four years of a
Democratic administration. Those
four ears are largely relegated to the
realms OF history, are past issues, and
have brought us face to face with what
Democracy, it's professions and its
practices, mean today. The great
names which have adorned the roll of
Republican statesmen and soldiers
are still potent and popular. The
great measures of the Republican party
are still the best part of the history
of the century. The unequalled and
unexampled story of Republlcanism
in its progress and achievements
stands unique in the record OF psrtie
in governments which are tree.
But we live in practical times, facing
practical issues. which affect business,
wages, labor and the prosperity of to-
day. The campaign will be won or
lost, not upon the bad record of Jas.
X. Polk, or OF Franklin Pierce, or Jas.
Buchanan; nor upon the good record
of Lincoln, or Grant, or Arthur, or
Hayes, or Garfield; it will be won or
rost upon the policy, foreign and do
nestle, the industrial measures and
the administrative acts of the admin
istration of Benjamin Harrison. Who
ever receives the nomination OF this
convention will upon the Judgment
OF the people, as to whether they have
been more prosperous and more hap
py, whether the country has been in
better condition at home, and stood
more honorably abroad, under these
last four years OF Harrison and Re
publican administration, than during
the preceding four years OF Cleveland
and Democratic government.
Not since Thomas Jefferson has any
administration been called npon to
face, and solve, so many or such diff.
cult problems as those which have
been exigent in our conditions. No
administration since the organization
OF the &C vernment has ever met diff
culties better or more to the satisiac
tion of the American people Chii
has been taught that no matter how
small an antagonist, no community y
can with safety insult the flag or mur
der American sailors. Germany and
Englan.i have learned in Samoa that
the United States has become one o.
the mowers of the world, and no mat
ter how mighty the adversary, al
every sacrifice American honor will b,
maintained. The Bering sea question
} which was an insurmonntable obsta
, Gle in the diplomacy OF Cleveland anC
Bayard, has been settled upon a basis
which sustains the American position
! until arbitration shall have deter
: mined our right. Tne dollar of tn
country has been placed and kept ol
the standard of commercial nations
; and a convention has been agrees
: upon with foreign governments, which
: by making bimetallism the policy O
all nations, may successfully solve al
, our financial problems. The tariff
. tlnkered with and trified with to IN
: serious disturbance of trade and dis
aster to business since the days o
Washington, has been courageousl.
embodied into a code which has pre-
2 served the principle OF protection t.
American industries. To it has beel
added the beneficent policy, supple
I mented by beneficial treaties and wis
4 diplomacy, which has opened to on
e farmers and manufacturers the mar
S kets of other countries. The navy ha
been built upon lines which will pre-
! tect American citizens and American
D interests and the American flag a
e over the world. The public debt ha
= been reduced, maturing bonds hav
4 been paid off, the public credit ha
S been maint aimed, the burdens oil taxa
E ton have been lightened. Two hun
4 dred millions OF currency have bee
D added to the peoples money withou
disturbance OF changes. Unexample'
prosperity has crowned wise laws an
wise administration.
The main question which divides u.
is to whom does the credit for all thi
belong. Orators may stand upon TIN
platform, more able and more elo
quent than |, who will paint in NOR
brilliant colors, but they cannot pu
, in more earnest thought. In the affet
i tion and admiration of the Republ
v cans for our distinguished secretary c
state, yield to no Republican, no mat
!, ter from what state he halls. In ao
= miration and respect for John Shei
: man, for Gov. Mckinley, for Thoma
s b. Reed, for the great sons, Tor th
4 favorite of Illinois, Wisconsin an
Michigan; but when | am told tina
the credit for the brilliant diplomac
i OF this administration belongs exclI
e sively to the secretary of state, for th
c administration OF its fnan ces to tn