Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-21

tion. Mr. Cleveland rose To reply. The
audience went wild, and there was great
rear of applause.
Mr.. cisveland's Speech.
Ex-President Cleveland's reply to the
notification committee was rs follows;
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen The mes
sage you deliver from the National Demo-
craey arouses within me emotions that
would be overwhelming, if | did not recog-
nize that there are here assembled repre-
sentatives of the great party who must share
with me the responsibility your mission in
vites. find much relief in the reflection
that | have been selected merely to stand
for the principles and purposes to which my
party is pledged, and for the enforcement
and supremacy of which all who have any
right to claim Democratic fellowship, must
constantly and persistently labor.
Our party responsibility is indeed great.
We assume a momentous obligation to our
countrymen when, in return for their trust
and confidence, we promise them the recti-
fication of their wrongs and better realiza-
ton Of the advantages due them under our
free and benefcent institutions. But il our
responsibility is great, our party is strong.
II Is strong in its sympathy with the needs
of the people, in its insistence upon the ex-
ercisc of governmental powers strictly with
in the constitutional permission the people
granted, and in its willingness to risk life
and hope upon the peoples intelligence and
patriotism.
Never has great party, intent upon the
promotion of right and justice, had better
90 nt..1 II,
us. Turning our eyes to the plain people
Of the land we see them burdencd as con-
sumcrs with tariff system that unjustly
and relentlessly demands from them, in the
purchase of necessaries and comforts of
life, an amount scarcely met by the wages
of hard and steady toll, while the exaetions
thus wrung from them build up aud increase
the fortunes of those for whose benefit this
injustice is perpetuated.
We see the farmer listening to the delu-
sive story that fills his mind with visions Of
advantage. while his pocket is robbed by
the stealthy hand of high protection. Our
workingmen are still told the tale. oft re-
peated in spite of its demonstrated falsity,
that the existing protective tariff is boon
to them under its beDeficent 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 tOik and attest the tender mercy
the workingmen receives from those made
selfish and sordid by unjust governmental
favOrtism.
. We oppose earnestly and stubbornly the
theory upon which our opponents seek to
justify and uphold the existing tariff laws.
We need no base attack upon the question
of constitutional permission or Legislative
power. We denounce this theory upon the
highest possible grounds, when we contend
that in its present condition its operation is
unjust. and laws enacted in accordance with
it are inequitable and unfair. Ours is not
q destructive party. We are not at enmity
with the rights of any Of our citizens. All
are onr countrymen.
We are not recklessly needless of any
American interests, nor will we abandon
our regard for them; invoking the love and
fairness and justice which belong to true
Americanism. upon which rests our constitu-
ton, we insist that no plan of tariff legisla-
ton be tolerated which has for its object
and purpose the forced contribution from
the earnings and income of the mass Of our
citizens to swell directly the accumulations
pretended solicitude for American labor, or
other specious pretext of benevolent care
for others to blind the eyes of people to the
selfish schemes of those who seek through,
the aid of unequal tariff laws to gain un-
earned AMI unreasonable advantages at the
expense of their fellows.
We have also assumed in our covenant
with these whose support we invite, the
duty OF opposing to the death another
avowpti scheme of our adversaries, which,
under the guise of protecting suffrage,
covers bu. does not conceal design there
BY to perpetuate the power of party afraid
to trust its continuance to the untrammelled
and intelligent votes of the American peo-
pie. We are pledged to resist legislation
intended to complete this scheme, because
We have not forgotten the saturnalia of
theft and brutal control which followed
another federal regulation of state suffrage
because we know that the managers Of the
party which dill not scrnple 10 rob the peo-
pie Of a President, would not hesitate 10
use machinery created by such
legislation, TO revive corrupt iDstru-
mentalities for partisan purposes ;
because an attempt to force such legsla-
ton would rekindle animosities where peace
and hopefulness now prevail: because such
an attempt would replace prosperous aciiy-
ity with encouragement and dread through
out a large section of our country, and
would menace everywhere in the land
rights reserved to states and people, which
undcrlie the safeguards of American lib
erty.
/ will not attempt to specify at this time
the other objects and aims Of Democratic
endeayor which add inspiration to our mis-
sion. True to its history and creed our
psrty will respond to the wants Of the peo-
pie within safe lines, guided by enlightened
stafesmanship. To the troubled and impa-
tient within our membership We commend
continued, unswerving allegiance to the
party whose principles. in all times past,
were found sufficient for them, whose ag-
gregaie wisdom and patriotism their expert
ence teaches can always be trusted.
In a tone of partisanship which bciits the
occasion. let me say to you AZ equal part
ners in the campaign upon which we today
enter. that the personal fortunes Of those
to whom You entrusted your banners are
only important as they are related TO the
fate Of the principles they represent AMI 10
the party they lead. ] cannot. therefore,
forbear reminding you and all those at
fached to the Democratic party Or support
ing the principles We profess, that defeat in
the pending campaign, followed by the
consummation Of legislative schemes our
opponents contemplate, and accompanied
by such ofker incidents Of their snccess a.
might more firmly fix their power. would
present most discouraging outlook for the
future of Democratic supremacy and for