The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-06-16
CHAUNCEY M. DEPEw.


departure. That there should be stron, con-
victions and their earnest expression as to
preferences and policies is characteristic of
the right of individual judgment which is
the fundamental principle of Republicanism.
There have been occasions when the result
was so sure that the delegates could freely
indulge in the charming privilege of favoritism
aud of friendship. But the situation which
now confronts US demands the exercise of
dispassionate Judgment and our best thought
and experience. We cannot venture on I'M
certain ground or encounter obstacles placed
in the pathway of success, by ourselves.
The Democratic party is now divided, but
the hope of the possession of power once more
will make ii in the final battle more aggres-
sive determined and INSCRIPTIONS than ever.
1t starts with fifteen states secure without an
effort by processes which travesty
upon popular government, and if continued
long enough will paralyze institutions founded
upon popular suffrage. 1t has to win four
more states in fair fight-states that are
doubtful. The Republican party must appeal
to the consciences and judgment of the indi-
vidual voter In every state in the Union. This
is in accordance with the principles upon
which it was founded and the object for which
it contends. 1t has accepted this issue before
and fought it out with an extraordinary con-
tinuance of success. The conditions of Repub-
lican victory from 1861 to 1880 were Great ell by
A
were that the saved republic should be run by
its saviors; they were the emancipation of
slaves, the reconstruction Of the states the
reception of those who had fought to destroy
the republic back into the fold, without
penalties or punishments, and to an equal
share with those who had fought and saved
the Union, in the solemn obligations and in
estimable privileges of American citizenship.
They were the embodiment into the constitu-
tion of the principles for which two million
fought and half a million had died.
They were the restoration OF public credit,
the resumption of specie payments and the
prosperous condition of solvent business. For
twenty-five years there were names with
which to conjure, and events fresh in the pub
lie mind, which were eloquent with popular
enthusiasm. 1t needed little else than a re-
cital of the glorious story OF its heroes and a
statement of the achievements of the Repub-
lican party to retain the confidence of the peo-
pie. But from the desire for change which is
Characteristic of free governments there came
a reversal. There came as check to the pro-
gress of the Republican party four years of
Democratic administration.
These four years largely relegated TO the
realm of history, past issues. and brought us
face TO face with what Democracy, is pro-
LESSONS and its practices, mean today
The great names which have adorned the
roll of Republican statesmen and soldiers are
still potent ard popular. The great Ill assures
of the Republican party are still the best part
Of the history of the century. The unequaled
and unexampled story of Rephti;canism in
its promises and in its achievements stands
unique in the record of parties in governments
which are free. But we live in practical
times, facing practical issues which affect the
business, the wages, the labor and the pros
perity of the day. The campaign w,l be won
or lost not upon the bad record of james *.
Polk, or Of Franklin Pierce, or OF James Bu-
chanan-n0t upon the good record OF Lincoln,
OF of Grant. or OF Arthur. or of Hayes, or OF
Garfield. It VII be won o. lost upon the POL
icy foreign and domestic. the industrial meas
ures and the administrative acts or the ad-
ministration of Ben5amin Harrison. Whoever
receives the nomination Of this convention
will run upon the judgment Of tho people, as
to whether they have been more prosperous
and more happy, whether the countryhas been
in q better condition at home, and stood more
honorable abroad, under this last four years OF
Harrison and Republican administration, than
du ring the preceding four years OF Cleveland
and Democratic government.
Not since Thomas Jefferson has any admin
istration been called upon to face and solve 50
many or sucl, difficult problems as those whis n
have been exiseut in our conditions. No adj
ministration since the organization OF gov
eminent has ever met tAe difficulties better or
more to the satisfaction Of the American peo-
pie. Chill has been taught that NO matter
how small the antagonism no community can
can sailors. Germany and England have
learned in Samoa that the United
States has become one OF the powers
of the world, and no matter how
mighty the adversary, at every sacrifice
American homo will be ma nta:n ID. The
Behring sea question. which was
tie insurnaountab.e tbsta lie in ii Q
hoc Erap saA4 LODI
upon a basis which sustaias the American po-
sition. until arbitration has determined our
right. The success Of the country is kept on
the standard of commercial nations and con-
vention has been agreed upon with foreign
governments, which, by making bi-metallism
the policy of all nations. may successfully
solve all our financial problems. The tariff,
tinkeEed with and trifled with to the serious
disturbance Of trade has been courageou.ly
embodied into a code-a code which has pre-
served the principle Of protection of American
industries. To it has been added a beneficent
policy, supplemental by beneficial treaties and
wise diplomacy. which has opened to our
er tountrie he navy has been uilt
upoa lines which will pr D ect Anne leans
and American in erests and the flag all over
the world. The publ debt has been reduced.
The maturing bonds have been p,id off The
public credit has been maintained. The bur-
II.
ampled prosperity has crowned wise laws and
their wise administration. The main question
which divides Us is to whom does the credit
of all this belone7 Orators may stand upon
this platform, more able end more eloquent
than 1, who viii paint in more brilliant colors,
but they cannot put in more earnest thought,
affection and admiration of Republicans for
our distinguished secretary of state. l yield
TO no Republican, no matter from what state
he halls, in admiration and respect Tor John
Sherman, for Governor Mckinley, for Thomas
b. Reed, for IOwa's great son, for the fayorites
of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan but when
/ am told that the credit of the brilliant
diplomacy of this administration belongs ex-
clusively to the secretary of state, for the adj
ministration of its finances to the secretary OF
the treasury, for the construction OF its ships
to the secretary of the navy, for the introdgc-
ton of American pork into Europe to the Sec
rotary of agriculture, for the settlement, SC
far as it is settled, of the currency question to
Senator John Sherman. for the formulation OF
the tariff laws to Governor Mckinley. for the
removal of the restrictions placed by foreign
nations upon the introduction of American
pork to our ministers at Paris and Berlin, am
tempted to seriously inquire who during the
las. four years, has been president of the
United States, anyhow.
All the proposed acts of any administration
before they are formulated are passed upon In
cabinet council, and the measures aid suyges-
tions of the ablest secretaries would have
failed with q lesser president, but for the great
good of the country and the benefit of the Re-
publican party, but they have succeeded be-
cause of the suggestive mind. the indomitable
courage the intelligent appreciation of situa-
lions. and the grand magnanimity of Ben
jamin Harrison. 1t is an pndisputed fact that
during the few months when both the secre-
tary Of state and the secretary of the treasury
were i'll. the president personally assumed the
duties OF the state department and of the
treasury department, and both with equal
success The secretary of state in accepting
his portfolio under President Garfield wrote:
"Your administration must be made brilliant
successful. and strong in the confidence and
pride Of the people, not at all diyerting Its en-