Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-06-15
THE OPENING ADDRESS.
Stirring Words from FIR. Fassett, Tenn
porary Chairman.


Stunning the temporary chairmanship of
the national Republican convention:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW REPUB-
LTCANS: For the distinguished honor
which YOU have conferred upon ne | am
very grateful. [ approach the duties Of
presiding officer with extreme dlffidence
and am sustained only by reliance upon
your generous fOrbearance and CO-Opera-
ton.
It Is eminertly fitting that a Republican
convention should be held in a temple
erected for the display OF the products OF
protection to American industries. and in
this beautiful city Of Minneapolis. at once
the JOY and the pride Of the giant West
this city, which Just ABOUT equals in age
the Republican party, with its prosperous
mills and factories and workshops and its
generous and happy hOmeS-abounds in
object lessons, teachings clearer than IN
any words the sound wisdom of Repub-
lican doctrines, when .epitomiZed in facts.
We are met to exercise one of the high
est privileges Of our citizenship. AS
trustees OF 1000, 900 of voting Republicans.
gathered from every state and territory in
the Union, it becomes our duty to fOrmu-
late, for the inspection OF the people, the
beliefs and purposes of our party relative
to the living political questions OF national
Importance, and to choose that man for
leader under whose guidance we shall be
most sure of establishing these beliefs in
the form of laws. We are not here as war
ring factions. struggling to win currency
under fayOrite leaders, but as cO-memberS
of one great party, looking to select from
the shining roll of our hOnOred great men
that type Of statesman which shall be re-
garded as the SOundeSt and most complete
embodiment of the cardinal doctrines OF
our party.
There is not a Republican in this con-
ventiOn whose heart does not burn with
arGOr for triumph in the impending cam
are here to make the necessary prelimi-
nary arrangements, and we all propose
to make them i'll the right way, and
in the right spirit. II there is ever
a time when it Is proper for Repub
icans to differ it is precisely on such occa-
Si0ns as this. when they are not together
for the express purpose OF reaching Gitl-
mate unity through the clash and contest
OF present differences. In the wide
reaching and delicate business of
agreeing upon the standard bearers for
great party, there is abundant opportunity
for honest men to hold anG express honest
differences of opinion, and the mO1e ear
nest the men and the more honest the
opinions the more determined will be the
contests and collisions and the more com
piete the final unanimity. The air is al
ways SWeeter and purer after storm. Ii
Is our right now to oppose each other: 1t
Will be our duty to unite tomorrow. Our
differences should end at the convention
man is named. whose stature is higher,
whose fame and following are more COM
manding, whose name Is more inspiring
than that OF any other man, then the path
way Of each delegate should be broad and
easy.
The eyes of all the Republicans OF the
land, and the eyes of all our adyerSarieS
everywhere, are lntently fixed upon this
convention. A nation is watching uS-Our
enemies to crlticiSe, our friends to ratify.
fHn &c I'm y-nI
will meet it wisely. The Republican party
has never yet made mistake in its choice
OF candidateS-it will not make a mistake
here. All over this broad land the bOnfreS
are set to be lighted the flags ready to be
unfurled, and the Republicans at home are
waiting to shout in approval Of your
choice.
The history Of our party since 1856 is the
history Of our country. There is not q sim
gle page but shines brighter for some act
or some word of some great Republican.
Count me over our chosen heroes whom
we are teaching our children to love, emu
late and revere, and you shall name Re-
publicans. Lincoln, Seward, Grant, Sher-
man, Garfield, Logan, Harrison and
Blaine-theSe are few Of our Jewels and
we may proudly turn to our Democratic
friends with the defiant challenge Match
them" These men became great and re-
manned great.
| have not the time even to catalogue the
performed. You are all familiar with the
story. The IrrepreSSible conflict under
taken and concluded. slavery abolished,
public credit re-eStabliShed. the cOnStitu-
ton of the Union restored and recon-
Structed the old flag washed clean of every
stain and new stars added to It's glory; the
wide West thrown open to easy access ana
settlement: the policy LOT protection to
American labor and American industries
established, developed. and vindicated;
,-f-,o+~ vSrlxJ nod 1r-f
persuasive logic OF reciprocity to
the products OF the American work
shop and the American farm, and to-day
the nations of the earth are paying tribute
TO the Sagaclty OF our legislation and dl-
plOmacy in millions upon millions Of in
creased purchases, and Lord Salisbury has
been driven to the significant confession
that even in England free trade has proven
disappointment. Rivers and harbOrS have
been opened to commerce; the white hulIs
of our new navy are blowing the waters of
every sea: peace has been maintained at
home ana respect secured abroad. And so
the list might be extended and expanded,
while your patience might be endured to
listen, while our political adversarieS,
though perpetualIy opposing every meas
uTe of our new Republican party, are
compelled to admit the wisdom of
our course, aud to confess that
we have been right, and that
they have been wrong They have Just
greSS one year of congressional life in
vain assaults upon the items in tariff
bill made up Of 500 items. At this rate OF
progress they will have to be trusted for
about 500 years in power before we could
see tariff reform upon lines agreed upon
by our conflicting Democratic friends.
But we cannot hope to win merely upon
the recital Of the achievements Of our past,
brilliant as they have been, any more than
our adverSarieS can hope to succeed upon
platforms OF glittering promises. The
past is chiefly useful to use insofar as it
s~Ifs@pG nSrrateS the vitality Of the party to
redeem its pledges and its ability 10 gov
gern in a broad and enlightened way free
and progressive people.
our pledges have been kept, all save
one. and | greatly mistake the temper of
the Republican party if it will ever be con
tented until that pledge is made good.
our manhood and honor Is pledged to con-
finuc the contest for free and honest bal
OF until this veXed question is settled in
The right. That free people should cast
a free vote and have it honestly recorded
and returned is the dream and the deter