The Russellville Democrat., 1892-08-25
SOUND DOCTRINES
Advanced by United States Senator John
 E. Gordon, of Georgia.

Advanced by United states Senator John
 E. Gordon, of Georgia.
 Senator John B. Gordon, of Geor- gia, recently delivered the following able address to large audience at Atlanta, Ga.
 Fellow Countrymen: Edmund Burke was one of the greatest-pos- sibly was the very wisest of English statesmen. He was a believer in practical as well as sentimental pol itics. One of his doctrines was that it is the duty of the patriot to do the best thing he can under the ex isting circumstances. 1 am moved to inquire if there is a patriot in this audience who does not know that the best thing he can do for his country under the circumstances around us, is to aid in defeating the republican party. Is there an intel ligent, thoughtful and patriotic man in Georgia who does not know this to be true; and who does not more over know that the only possible way to defeat that party is by the triumph of the organized Democracy of this union? Applause. If this be true-and it is true-how mar vicious is the spectacle we witness in this and sister southern states of an organized effort to disrupt and de stroy the Democratic party, and thus perpetuate the rule of the Re- publican party in this country? This spectacle becomes mournful as well as marvellous when we see Democrats reared in the school of Jefferson and of Jackson, of Polk, of Tilden and Cleveland This spectacle becomes still more mournful when the south ern Democrats turn their backs up- on the glorious flag of Democracy which they have so often followed in the past to liberty y-saving victories. 1 Applause.
 My countrymen, this ought not so to be. Of all the men and women in this Union. the southern men and women are the most deeply concern ed in the preservation of the nation al Democratic party, under whose protecting edges alone is to be found security for our homes, prosperity and freedom 1t is that party which delivered after the war from the tor lures of the political rack, which has saved our liberties since the war, which triumphed over our ene- mics in 1884 and again in 1890, and which will, by the help of the God of Battles and the liberty-loying American people, give us still more glorious triumph in 1892. Alp plause In the brief time it is prop CT for me to occupy tonight l pro- pose to analyze some of the reasons assigned by our third party friends for this desertion of the Democratic party in this critical period of our history.
 The first and by far the most i'm portant reason, if l understand it, given by our third party friends for their movement, is the claim that they are unable to secure financial relief through the Democratic party Well, how do they propose to secure it through the Peoples party? Let me read their demand from their platform.
 We demand a national currency, safe, sound and flexible, issued by the general government only, full legal tender for all debts, public and private, and that without banking corporations; just, equitable and efficient means of distribution direct to the people, at a tax not to exceed , per cent per annum, etc" Alp plause
 Now my friends, we are all inter ested in this vital currency question and it is too serious a business to admit of quibbling, of sophistries or We cannot afford to de- ceive ourselves in so vital a matter What does this demand mean2 If am capable of understanding the English language, it means that there shall be no banks in this coun- try, except the one gigantic, collos sal concern called the United States 
 Have you thought seriously of the scope and immensity of that de- mand? Who is to be the lender of ! this moneys The federal govern ment. Who are to be the customers? Sixty five millions of people, at least | 10000, ,000 nf whom would be bor rowers
 Who are to be the managers of this prodigious cyclopean banking ! Not men who have any money or property or financial staked upon it's success, but government employees and lavorites or pets of the political par " which for the time happens to control the government
 How many of these employees will there beg Let those who are good at ignres make their own calculations, How many banks, banking institu ions, banking associations, trust companies, brokers and private mon v lenders are there in the United states at this timer These must all lose their offices, for with the gov lending money at ? per cent, III other lenders must go out of bus