Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-08

Opening the Republican National Conven-
ton at Minneapolis.

The following il the speech of Mr.. J. slost
Fassett yesterday, temporary chairman Of the
| republican convention at Minneapolis:
"Mr. Chairman and Fellow Republicans:
For the distinguished honor which you have
conferred upon me I am very grateful l as
sumo the duties of presiding officer with ex-
treme diffidence. and am sustained BY re-
lance upon your generosity, forbearance and
cooperation II is eminently fitting that a re-
publican convention should be held in temple
erected for the display Of products of protec-
ton TO American industries and in this beauti-
full city of Minneapolis, the joy and 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 teaching clearer than in any
words the sound wisdom of republican doc
trine.
1--WE are met to exercise one Of the highest
privileges of our citizenship. As trustees OF
seven millions Of voting republicans gathering
from every state and territory in the Union 1t
becomes our duty TO formulate for the inspec-
!, ton of the people the belief and purposes OF
party relative to all the living political ques-
tons of national importance and to choose tfat
man for leader under whose guidance we feel
We shall be most sure of establishing this belief
in the form of laws. Weare here not as war
ring factions struggling TO win supremacy IN
der favorite leaders, bat co-mcmbers OF one
great party seeking to select from the roll OF
our honored great men the type of statesman
who shall he regarded as the most complete en-
bodiment of the cardinal doctrines OF our party.
There ia nor a republican in this convention
whose heart does not burn with ardor for
triumph in the impending campaign We are
all eager for success. We are here to make the
necessary preliminary arrangements and we all
propose to make them in the right way and in
the right spirit. II there is ever a time for re-
publicans to differ il is essential in such con-
ventions as this, when they met together
for the express purpose OF reaching ultimate
unity through the contest OF present differ
ences.
"In the wide-reaching and delicate business
of agreeing upon the standard bearers for a
great party there is abundant opportunity for
the honest men to hear and express honest diff
ferences of opinion. and the more earnest the
men and the more hearty the opinions the more
determined will be the contests and collisions
and the more complete the final unanimity. The
air Is always sweeter. II is cur right now to
oppose each other; it will be our duty TO unite
tomorrow. Our differences should end at the
convention doors. and viii end there. When
this convention shall have concluded it, lebors
Z
inees Of this convention; but one purpose, their
election.
1.-The nomination does not end the campaign
it begins it. The campaign which is to be male
will not be the campaign of the candidates, BY
the candidates and for the candidates. but Of
all the party, by all the party and for all the
party in the interests Of the whole people.
With malice then toward none. but with &
/ veneration and respect toward ALL each of us,
according to his light, as God gives him 70 see
the light. should subordinate all merely local
and personal consideration to an earnest en-
deayor to secure the best interests of the re-
publican party throughout the entire sisteThood
of states.
None of our trusted leaders are weak men
all OF them are strong. Some may be stronger
than others. If, as each delegate views the
field, there is some man whose figure seems to
him larger, whose stature larger, whose fame
more commanding. whose name more inspiring
than that of any other man. then the pathway
of each delegate should be broad and easy.
1.-The ewes of all the republicans at home and
the eyes of all our adyersarics everywhere are
intently fixed upon this convention. nation
is watching PSI our enemies criticise. friends
ratify. The responsibility is enormous, but
You will meet it wisely.
The republican party has never yet made q
mistake IN its choice of candidates it will not
make a mistake here. All over this broad land
the bonfres set to be lighted, the flags are
l
home are waiting to shout In approval of your
nominee.
The history Of our party since 1856 is the
history of our country. There il not single
page but shines brighter for some act or some
word Of some great republican. Count over
our chosen whom we are teaching our children
to love. emulate and reverence and You shall
name republicans. lincoln, Seward. Grant,
Sherman. Garfield, Logan, Harrison and Blaine
These are few Of our jewels and we may
proudly turn to our democratic friends with
the defiance Match EN- These men became
and advocacy of the ennobling and inspiring
doctrines OF the republican faith.
Il have not the time even 70 catalogue the Ion <
| list OF great works undertaken and performed.
You are all familiar with the story Of the ire
! pressible conflict undertaken and concluded
| slavery abolished; a public credit established
| the Constitution and the Union restored and re-
constructed: the old flag washed clean Of every
stain and new stars added to its glory; the wide
west thrown open to easy access and settle
| ment; the policy of protection to American
labor and American industries established, de-
| veioped and indicated; the markets of the
world opened by the persuasive logic Of reci-
| procity to the products Of the American work
| shop and the American farm, until today the
nations of the earth are paying tribute to the
| sagacity of our legislation and diplomacy in
millions upon millions of increased purchases,
| anu LOIu o1iASutfy I1&S uocu uiiFcu W
niicant confession that even in England free
trade has proved disappointing.
1.-The democrats have about exhausted in the
Fifty-frst Congress one year of congressional
life in vain attacks upon three items in tariff
I bill made up of the 800 items. At this rate Of
/ proceeding they will have to be trusted for 800
years in power before we could zee tariff reform
as agreed upon by our conflicting democratic
/ friends-
| THE FORCE BILL MUST PASS.
But we cannot hope to win merely upon the
recital of the achievements of our party, brill
liant as they have been, any more than our ad
versaries can hope to succeed on their platforms
of glittering promises The past is certainl,
useful to in far as it demonstrates the ability
of our party to redeem its pledges and its abil
| ity to govern. In a broad and enlightened way
a free and progressive people.
Our pledges have been kept, all cave one
and greatly mistake the temper of the repub
lican party If it will be contented until tina
pledge is made good Our honor is pledged t,
continue the contes. for q free and honest ballo
until this question is settled in the right.
That free people should cast o free vot
and have it honestly recorded and returned i
the dream and determination of the Republican
party and the despair and nightmare of tn
democrat. 1t is the pride Of the republica.
party that it never yet has committed an assault
upon the freedom of the ballot.
The entire vocabulary OF political crime
has grown out Of attempts to describe assault
of democracy upon the freedom OF the bailo
and fair play in the exercise Of franchise US th