Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-15

honest, manly fight had been made in
righteous cause. In the state and
congressional campaigns which fol-
lowed in 1890, the great issue of tariff
reform, so earnestly and bravely cham
pioned by Cleveland, was again to the
front, and republicans, the defenders
of the spoliation system, everywhere
met defeat. The democrats of our
own state came up nobiy to the fray
and elected eight of our nine repre-
sentatlVes In congress, as an earnest
of the tariff reform faith that was in
them, and also chose a legislature
which afterwards elected to the senate
of the United States, Col. W. F. Villas,
who as member of Cleveland's cab
met, was foremost in supporting him
in the advanced position which he had
taken in forcing upon the republican
party the issue of reduction of fed
eral taxation. The Democrat believes
that those who would seek to set aside
that issue or the men who represent it.
greatly misjudge the temper of the de-
mocracy OF the country. It is because
Grover Cleveland stands for honesty
in redeeming the pledges made to the
people that he is so popular. In
speech which he delivered at the ban
quet Of the Business Mems Demo
cratic association of New York CITY,
on Friday last, Mr.. Cleveland gave
utterance to words Of wisdom by
which democrats should be guided if
they hope to gain the confidence and
support of the people in the national
contest of 1892: He said
We have given pledges to the peo-
pie and they have trusted us. Unless
we have OutgroWn the Democratic
spirit Of JacksOn's time, our duty is
plain. Our promise was not merely to
labor in the peoples cause until we
should tire Of the effort or should dis
cover way which seemed to promise
easier and quicker party ascendency.
The service we undertook was not to
advise those waiting for better DAYS
that their cause was hopeless, nor I'M
der any preteXt to suggest a cessation
of effort. Our engagement was to
labor incessantly, bravely, and stub
bornly, seeing nothing and considering
nothing but ultimate success. These
pledges and promises should be faith
fully and honestly kept. Party faith
leSsness is party dishonor.
Nor is the sacrednesS of our pledges
and the party dishonor that we should
follow their violation, all we have to
consider. We ourselves have aroused
a spirit of Jealous inquiry and discrim-
lnation touching political conduct,
which cannot be blinded; and the peo-
pie will visit with quick revenge the
party which betrays them.
hope then, [ may venture to claim
in this assemblage that, even if there
had been but slight encouragement
for the cause we have espoused, there
would still be no justification for tim
idity and faint-heartedness. But with
the success we have already achieved,
amounting to political revolution, it
seems to me that it would be the
height of folly, considered purely as
question of party management, to re-
lax in the least our determination and
persistency. If we suspect anywhere
In our cOunsels, compromising hest
tation or disposition to divert the
unity of party efforts, let US be watch
full. The least retreat bodies disaster:
coWardice is often called conversa-
tism, and an army scattered into Sec
tions invites defeat
We have preached the doctrine that
honesty and sincerity should be ex-
acted from political parties. Let us
not fall under the condemnation
which waits on shifty schemes and
insincere professions.
L believe our countrymen are pre-
pared to act on principle, and are in no
mood for political maneuvering. They
will not waste time in study ing con
undrums, guessing riddles, or trying
to interpret doubtful phrases. They
demand plain and simple statement
of political purpose.
Above all things, political fnesse
should not lead us to forget that at
the end of our plans, we must face to
face at the polls, the voters of the
land, with ballots in their hands, de-
handing as a condition of their sup
port of our party fidelity and undivided
devotion to the cause in which we
have enlisted them.
If, inspired by the true Jacksonion
spirit, we hold to the doctrine that
party honesty in party duty, and
party courage is party expediency, we
shall win a sure and lasting success
through the deserved support of a dis
eliminating, intelligent and thought
full people