The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-04

SPRINGFIELD, H., April 27.-It was hall
past o'clock when Chairman Phelps of
the state central committee called the
Illinois state democratic convention 10
order The divine blessing having been
invoked by Chaplain W. Taylor Of Spring
field. Mr.. Phelps congratulated the
convention on the auspicious omens
under which It had assem- bled. He said /:
To-day for the first time for a quarter of a
century you meet within the confines OF dem
ocratic state. Applause
"fOr nearly a quarter of a century you have
been IN what 20 anybody but democrats would
have seemed q hopeless minority. But a few
years ago there a republican majority Of
over fifty thousand votes. while today that
great party, fallen from its high estate stands
a mere foTlOrn hope, intrenched amid its
plunder and corruption, awaiting and expect
ing It's final overthrow, And we will endeavor to
see that IN this respect il meets with no disa D
pOintmeut.
81 congratulate you, gentlemen that the prin-
ciples of democracy are TO-DAY represented in
the lower mouse OF congress by a large majority
of the representatives from Illinois q gallant
band of patriotic men, to whose wisdom and
courage We may lntrust the principles of a
free, representative government / congratu-
late you also that this proud commonwealth of
Illinois has today, for the first time in over a
quarter OF q century, the honor OF being repre-.
sented in the senate of the United States by
entirely worthy to wear the toga of a SEN
ator-our proud and trusted leader and distin-
guished and patriotic soldier and statesman,
Gen. John VI. Palmer" Enthusiastic cheers
and applsuse.l
Mr.. Phelps closed his speech with an elo.
quent tribute TO the immortal Stephen A.
Douglas and the immortal principles of the
democratic party, which were not born to die -
and then introduced as temporary chairman OF
the convention the Hon. James r. Williams.
Tribute To Cleveland.
Congressman Williams speech was largely
devoted to the tariff. lie congratulated the
convention on the flattering prospect OF naming
the next governor of Illinois, as well as the
other state officers TO be elected the coming
fall. and furthermore on the privilege they
were about 20 enjoy in the selection Of dele
gates 20 the democratic national convention
which viii have the great responsibility of
naming the next president and vice-president
OF the United States. "Our committee on resO-
lutions," he continued, will not be left to
speculate amid uncertainties as to what people
want The people themselves nave spoken in
language that needs no interpretation After
full and mpassionate discussion of all its un-
just provisions, the people in 1890 pro-
nOuncei the verdict guilty against the
Mckinley law We are here to record
in our platform that verdict with all the
emphasis with which it was rendered The
patriotic work tariff reform bravely outlined
IN lSSS By that living idol OF democracy Gro
yer Cleveland is still unfinished and will con-
tinue so until every burden Of unjust un-
necessary taxation shall be removed from the
shoulders OF our people" Tremendous ap-
plause.
Congressman Williams then proceeded TO
denOunce the Mckinley act as OutrageOusly
discriminating in favor of individuals and cor
pOrations who had contributed literally to the
republican CamUaign fund Ile said that Me-
kInley's prediction that the increased rate of
duty on wooden goods would prohibit the i'm
DortatiOn Of wooden goods 20 a large extent
aud reduce the revenue from that source had
been confirmed by the results, as the govern
ment had received nearly three million dol
lars less revenue on woolens in 1891 than 1890
thus bringing less wooden goods into
the country, less revenue into the
treasury, but more protection into the
pocket Of the manufacturers" "If the govern
ment is 10 support one class of our citizens in
this way" he continued, why not support
others, why not support all? And when that
happy day arrives when the government shall
support all the people, who will support the
government This protective favoritism has
gone far TO destroy that self-reliancs which
once so grandly existed among the American
people They ready today or tomorrow 20
surrender to the national government their
most treasured rights and liberties"
Congressman Williams pictured the political
schemes offered q relief from the ex-
cessiVe and unjust taxation, and predicted
dire rnishap il the people continued to resign
10 the federal government their personal right ts
and sovereignty. He considered the present
silver Law unsound and nnwse, though be-
lieving in the principle of bi-metallism. He
favored free coinage Of both gold and silver
at such ratio as will insure the circulation OF
both metals At par with each other. The pres
ent silver law demonetizes silver" he asserted
by treating IL as a mere commodity. The issue
Of q credit currency therefor, which, according
10 the policy of the administration, is redeema-
bic ia gold without in any way increasing the
volume of coin in which such notes are re-
deemabe. creates a system of imitation" In
conclusion Mr.. Williams said: LET us have
harmony and victory, bearing aloft the banner
of the people-the banner Of democracy and
tariff reform-until We shall plant il upon the
summit Of victory here in the capitol of our
state and the capitol Of our country"
Cleveland Loudly Chesrsd.
As the Palmer men had applauded the men,
tion Of their leaders name in the speech Of Mr.
Phelps, so the Cleveland forces eheered to the
echo the name of the ex-president and paid q
glowing tribute 10 his tariff policy. But as
Chairman Wiliams speech began to grow long
the delegates began to grow weary and inter
ruptsd the chairman with FREQUENT cries Oi
slime. time.D The chairman, believing these
interruptions to be inspired by the reports that
be was Cleveland man and opposed TO in
structiOns for Palmer, remarked in the course
OF bis speech; Il am not here In the interest