People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-09

.
Harrison was nominated on the
Toledo platform without the dotting
of an or the crossing Of t.
Mr.. Townsend, of Illinois. would
ask the gentleman if Mr.. Harrison
was not a Democratic member of the
last Congress?
Mr.. Weaver. Yes; and as soon
as he went home and learned the
temper of the people, he joined the
national party. Laughter.
Mr.. Townsend, of Illinois. Was
not Mr.. Harrison the regular nominee
of the Democratic party in Chicago
for mayor.
Mr.. Weaver. Yes, after the ma
tional party had told them whom to
nominate. daughter and applause. J
Mr.. Townsend, of Illinois. [ de-
sire to ask the gentleman another
question. Mr.. Carter Harrison, be-
ing a Greenback Democrat, as you
might call him, was the representa-
tive of both parties. What lesson
does that teach us? It is that when
ever the Democratic and Greenback
parties unite, then the Republican
parties will be defeated; and when
you keep the nationals in separate
organization it always is likely to re
suit in the success Of the Republican
party of Illinois.
Mr.. Weaver. The result proves
that and more. 1t proves that the
combination is always successful in
Illinois when the Democratic party
rides behind. Great laughter and
applause. But this is mere pleas
antry.
say to gentlemen on this floor
that it is our recruiting Offices that
are daily crowded with volunteers
ready and eager to be mustered into
the new organization that is to lib
crate this country. I'VE have a
mission to fulfill. We know no
North, no South, no East, no West,
and any gentlemen whether he lives
in the North Or in the South is per-
fectly eligible in our party for the
Office Of Speaker of the House of
Representatives. And this cannot
be said of either of the old parties.
We have no desire to raise this
sectional strife in our new organiza-
ton nor will we permit it to be rails
ed. Nor do we go before the peo-
pie with pledges of financial reform,
and then come into this body and
unite in a caucus to bind ourselves
hand and foot and thus deny relief
to the people. We do not do that.
Mr.. Chairman, we are here to keep
our pledges to the people. We are
the avant courier of the army of
progress that cannot be frightened
back by waving the bloody shirt in
our faces. That cannot be done, I
say to you again, this old quarrel
growing out Of the war has become
dlstasteful and disgusting to the
American people. They want and
intend to have less of it. / should
think the old parties would see that
they stand sadly in need of an ad-
dition of their wardrobe. Their
only garment is that sanguinary
article of underwear of which we
have heard SO much. It reminds
me of an Indian I once saw out in
the far West, whose entire toilet con-
sisted of red bandana around his
neck and plug hat; and, like these
old parties, he was perfectly uncon-
scious of the ridiculous figure he
presented. Laughter. 1t is mar
velous to my mind that gentlemen
on both sides of the House do not
understand the wishes and temper of
the people.
In conclusion, I will say that. I'M
less you pass at this session, first, a
law, for the unrestricted coinage Of
silver; second, a law for the substi-
tuition Of greenbacks for national
bank notes; third, law stopping the
further increase of the bonded debt,
and providing for the speedy pay
ment of the debt now outstanding;
fourth, law iberating the five
hundred or more millions now lying
idle in the Treasury; fifth, to give the
people an opportunity to escape from
the impending loss Of their homes;
unless these things be done at this
session, very few of the gentlemen
who occupy seats upon this floor will
ever see them again.
Gentlemen talk about tarving the
government to death. The eloquent
gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Garfield,
did SO the other day. Who consti-
tute the Government of this country?
The people. And I say to the gen
tleman that the financial policy
which he and his followers have
foisted upon this country with the
aid of she hard money Democrats on
my left, is now starving to death the
laboring classes of this country, and
they Will not stand it much longer.
| Applause on the Democratic side.
# you do not want them to "drink
the wine Of violence" [ say again
no not feed them on the "bread Of
idleness."
Mr.. Chairman, I am crediblv in