Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-05
HARD HITS.
Remarks of Hon. W. C. Jones at the Open
ing OF the Democratic State Convention
4 At

HARD HITS.
Remarks of Hon. W. C. Jones at the Open
ing OF the Democratic State Convention
atSaIina.
In calling the democratic state con-
ventlon to order at Salina Hon W. G.
Jones, chairman Of the state central
committee. spoke as follows:
Fellow Delegates: recognize when have
caiieo this magnificent convention to order and
read the call for which you have assembled and
shau have introduced your temporary chair
man, my duties as chairman OF your state GEN.
tral committee viii have concluded so far as
talS convention Is concerned, but you VIII par
don me for one moment in congratulating the
democracy of Kansas, here in convention as
semDled, upon the magnificent prospect for the
success OF our party at the coming election. and
upon tne overwhelming victory for us and the
crushing fepudiat ton of our republican adverse
ries at the last general election in 1890: for
oe1eve that never before has the democracy Of
Kansas assembled in convention with their
NUMBERS, both state and national, SO prodigious
as now, and never before was the preference of
the people OF the whole coSntry more clearly
emphasized at any election, Of the high regard
with which our party and principles are held by
the American voter than at the last general
election two years ago.
No one can doubt but that that result came
from careful comparison by the people Of the
present administration with the former demo-
cratic adminiStrat ton of Grover Cleveland.
For twenty-four consecutive years, up to
iooi, the republican administration had un6i-
Vloed and undisputed control OF every branch
OF this government. The Judiciary, the 'legis-
latlve and executive branches were republican
to the very core, during which tine in almost
GREATNESS silence and wonder did the people
witness the most gigantic frauds ever perpe-
trated on any civilized nation on earth They
saw the great Credit Mobilier swindle followed
In quick succession by the St Domingo scandal
they saw the great star route frauds perpe-
trated upon the government. and during those
years they saw la, 0O0 600 acres of our pub
TIC domain wrenched from under the very tread
OF the honesteader and homeseeker and
given to the great railroads and
other monopolieS of the land In 1877
they saw that political organization
reach the very apex of successful treason by
the overthrow of the legal government and the
placing In the chief executive chair of the ma
ton, through treason III II shocked the civilized
world, an uSurper, and for four years we re-
NAMED republic in form but not in fact the
hrSt and only instance when treason brought
success to the traitor since the formation of the
government, and to-day. with much more pro-
pr1esy, can the ex-rebel of the south, than can
those conspfrators of the north sing from the
little Irish poem:
Far dearer the grave or the prison,
Il1unined by patriots name,
IMAM the grandeur of all who have risen,
On liberty ruin to fame
The people witnessed all of the frauds, this
treason and more, until they cried aloud, "who
VIII save our nation?' The answer came from
the Exposition hall, in the city OF Chicago july
ii, 1854, echoed back from the great Empire
STATE OF New York, and re-echoed from the
agricultural fields of Indiana, the names of
Cleveland and Hendricks and they as white
piumed Knights at the head OF that grand old
party that knows no north, no south no east, no
west, with their trappings of economy and re-
form cleaning in the sunlight, marched to vic
tory, and on the following fourth day of March
they, at the head of democratic adniaistra-
ton, took into their hands the reins of this gov
ernment fer the first time in twen:y-four years,
and by dint of economy and reform and
careful, painstaking administration Of
the affairs of the republic, the most
wonderful years of prosperity followed during
that adminiStre ton since the war. The treas
ury became burdened with surplus, although
Wrung from the hands OF the people with too
high tariff tax So that when that democra tic
administration was displaced by the present
one over &292,030C00 had accumulated in The
United States treasury and was turned over to
the present adm 'nis.ration and squandered By
their billion dollar congress in less than two
years VhlS d1yrlnt disregard of the peoples
welfare, togEther with the passage of the vet
more oppressive Mckinley tariff laws, and it.
together with their attempt to deprive tie
people of a full vote and fair count by their
attempted passage of the force bill, so
aroused the American people that they not on
ly gave TO US the solid south, but almost solid
north, and an unprecedented majority OF I3i
votes in the lower house of congress, and full
hedged democratic governors in many of the
northern and nOrthwest ern republican states
who to day are, with democratic dignity, pre-
siding over the deStinieS of their respective
co1nmonwealths: and am glad to say that had
the good advice and iInportuning OF your state
central committee been taken and needed by
our natural allies not . republican would be
holding a state office or member - either
branch of our national legislature from Kan
SaS to-day.
Now,gentlemenf for the national democracy in
convention assembled in the city of Chicago on
the 2lst day OF June next to fail or neglect TO
nominate that great statesman through whose
genius as chief executive OF this republic has
come this wonderful result and advantages of
the civilized world and by whose brave and
fearless message has been painted to the world
the necessity only for such legislation as will
bring the greatest good to the greatest nun
Der, would be a repetition OF the sick
ening blunder made by the democracy
in 1880, when at Cincinnati in national
convention assembled they failed to
nominate that grand old statesman
Samuel J. Tilden, and such a blunder
would bring forth the merited but unWelcome
out the length and breadth of our fair land: but
enough. Now, gentlemen, I belfesre your duty
on your return to your constituency, who have
honored you as their representatives, and who
you ably represent in this convention, is TO fall
in line under the banner of that party whose
wonderful record has no parallel, and whose
principles the only guarantee Of the perpet-
uation Of our republic That they VIII respond
TO your ana their party cause there no
doubt No one can doubt the loyalty OF Kan
sas democrat to his party. For q quarter of a
century they have met almost continual defeat
at every election, followed by ever ad-
vantage gained by interruptions but
successful adversary n unrsleatiag effort &c
force democrats to abandon their Organize ton
In Kansas, but seemingly unmiEdful OF the sixty
or eighty thousand majority against them they
have universally responded to their party 6
call. With amazing irrepressible elasticity
have they risen from under the very heel of po-
litical oppression With fortitude growing
stronger as the darkness seemed deeper and
with Spartan courage and zeal have they fought
every political battle to q complete finish dur
ing that tine, so much so, that it has not only
elected AMI brought forth the applause of our
democratic friends in ether states but
il has challenged the silent admiration Ct
our adversarieS at home 1t Is TO this Spartan
democracy that you are TO appeal That this
response Will come as generous your appeal
goes to them there is no question, and you and
they Will be remunerated for your gallant serv-
ices to your party by seeing our s;aa1Erd
bearer. whoever he may be. nail TO the mast
head OF the White house, in Washington o. ttle
4th CAV of March next, our democrats banls =.
which will float 4 beacon light, uIrnisIaker
guarantee of a fair, faithful, economic, sIedee-
hammer administration OF the affairs Of this
mighty republic
SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY.
How SAD.-Frau Z-''Shan You be
going to some watering-place?" Frau