Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-07-28
to claim Democratic fellowship must con,


countrymen when, in return for their
trust and confidence, we promise them
rectitication of their wrongs and better
realization of the advantages which are
due to them under our free and beneficent
institutions. But if our responsibility is
great, our party is strong. 1t is strong in
its sympathy with the needs of the people,
in its insstence upon the exercise of gov
ornamental powers strictly within the con-
stltutional permission the people have
granted and in its willingness to risk its
life and hope upon the peoples intelli-
gcnce and patriotism.
Never has great party, intent upon the
promotion OF rights and justice, had better
| incentive for effort than is now presented
to US. Turning our eyes to the plain people
of the land we see them burdened, as con-
sumers, with a tariff system that unjustly
and relentlessly demands from them, in
the purchase of the neeessaries and com
forts of life, an amount scarcely met by
the wages of hard and steady toll, while
the exactions thus wrung from them build
up and increase the fortunes of those for
whose benefit this injustice is perpetuated.
We see the farmer listening to a delu-
siye story that fills his mind with visions
Of advantage while his pocket is robbed by
the stealthy hand of high protection.
EFFECTS OF PROTECTION.
oft repeated in spite of its demonstrated
falsity, that the existing protective tariff is
boon to them and that under its beneti-
cent operation their wages must increase
while as they listen, scenes are enacted in
the very abiding place of high protection
that mock the hopes of toll and attest tho
tender mercy the workingman receives
from those made selfish and sordid by
unjust governmental favoritism.I
We 0DpDsa earnaatly and stI1hharOly o
the theory upon which our opponents seek
to Justify and uphold existing tariff laws.
We need not base our attack upon ques-
tions of constitutional permission or legis-
lative power We denounce this theory
upon the highest possible grounds, when
we contend that in present conditions its
operation is unjust and that laws enacted
in accordance with it are inequtable and
unfair. Ours is not a destructive party.
We are not at enmity with the rights of
any of our citizens. All are our country
men, We are not recklessly needless of
any American interests, nor will we
abandon our regard for them, but invoking
the love OF fairness of justice which be-
longs to true Americanism and upon
which our constitution resi- lNginast that
no plan of tariff legislation shah be toler-
ated which has, for its object and purpose
a forced contribution from the earnings
and income of the mass Of our citizens. TO
swell directly the accumulations of a
favored few; nor will we permit pre-
tended. solicitllde for American labor, or
any other specious pretext of benevolent
care for others, to blind the eyes of the
people to the selfish schemes of those who
seek, through the aid of unequal tariff
laws to gain unearned and unreasonable
advantages at the expense of their fellows.
ANOTHER SCHEME.
We have also assumed III our covenant
with those whose support we invite, the
duty of opposing TO the death another
avoTed scheme of our adversaries, which
under the gtiiSe of protecting the suffrage
covers, but does not conceal, design
thereby to perpetuate the power of party
afraid to trust its continuance to the ur-
tranmeled and intelligent votes of the
people. We are pledged to resist the legis-
lation intended to complete this scheme,
because we have not forgotten the satur
MALTA Of theft and brutal control which
followed another Federal regulation of
state suffrage; because we know that the
managers Of party which did not sCruple
to rob the people Of u President, would not
hesitate to use the machinery created by
such legislation to revive corrupt instru-
mentalities for partisan purposes; because
an attempt to force such legislation would
rekindle animosities where peace and
hopefulness now PREVAIL because such an
attempt would replace prosperous activity
with encouragement and dread through
out large section of our country, and
would menace, everywhere in the land,
the rights reserved to the states and to the
people which underlie the safeguards of
American liberty.
| shall not attempt to specify at this
time other objects and aims of Democratic
endeavor which add inspiration to our
mission. True to its history and its creed
our party will respond to the wants of the
people within safe lines and guided by en-
lightened craftsmanship. 10 the troubled
and impatient within our membership we
commend continued, answering allegi-
ance to the party whose principles, in all
times past have been found sufficient for
them, and whose aggregate wisdom and
patriotism, their experience teaches, can
always be trusted
In tone of partisanship which befits
the occasion, let me say to you as equal
partners in the campaign upon which we
to-day enter, that the personal fortunes of
those to whom you have entrustediyour
banners are only important as they are
related to the fate of the principles they
represent and TO the party which they
lead. cannot therefore, forbear remind
lug you, and all those attached to the
Democratic party or supporting the princi
pies which we profess, that defeat in the
pending campaign followed by the con-
summation of the Legislative schemes our
opponents contemplate and accompanied
by such other incidents of their success as
might more firmly fix their power, would
present a most discouraging outlook for
future Democratic supremacy and for the
accomplishment of the objects we have at
heart.
HOW TO WIN THE FIGHT.
Moreover, every sincere Democrat must
believe that the interests of his country
are deeply involved i'll the victory of our
party in the struggle that awaits us Thus
patriotic solictnde eIalts the hope of par
tisanship and should intensity our deter
mination to win success.
This success can only be achieved by sys-
tematc and intelligent effort on the part
of all enlisted in our cause. Let lis tell the
people plainly and honestly what we be-
lieve and how we propose to serve the in
terests of the entire country, and then let
us, after the manner Of true Democracy,
rely upon the thoughtfulness and patriot
ism of our fcllow-countrymen.
1t only remains for me to say to YOU, in
advance OF more formal response to your
message, that obey the command of my
party, and confidently anticipate that an
intelligent and earnest presentation of our
cause will insure popular Endorsement of
the action of the body you represent.
WHAT MR.. STEVENSON SAID.
Mr. Stevenson was notified by ex-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS S. NJ. White OF,
California. He replied as follows:
cannot too earnestly express my appre-
ciaticn of the honor conferred upon ME by
the great delegated assembly which you
officially represent, To'have been selected
by the national Democratic convention as
its candidate for high office is distinction
Of which any citizen might well be proud.
| would do violence to my own feelings,
sir, should fail to express my gratitude
for the courteous terms in which You have