The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-20

domicile of the largest quantity Of gold.
Yet England. the united kingdom, mines
none: has not for centuries. Gold has
been gathered thither by three instru-
mentalities: conquest, colonization, and
trade; but the chief Of these is trade.
Long before the era of conquest or colo
nization her trade had asserted its mas
terry. In an early day history informs
us that the island, especially the city of
London, was noted for the opulence OF
its merchants and their guilds, and for
the abundance Of the precious metals
used both in the arts and coinage.
An Era of Commercial Liberty.
Why may we not compete with Eng
land, with any nation. for the honors
and profits Of the worlds trade? Need
l inform you, sir, that We are about TO
approach an era of commercial liberty,
haply under the auspices of the present
congress, unknown to US for a genera
ton. An era in which commerce with
all nations, save the necessary imposts
laid upon it for revenue, will be free
as the ocean which bears it. A time
when an open market shall greet the
exports of all our great staples, when our
revenue shall be largely increased, when
the unreasonable increment of our sales
shall assuredly bring us in return the
gold, silver, the bills sterling, things new
and old Of the earths treasure.
And allow me to say, also, that we
are drawing nigh TO another epoch, one
of uneXampled grandeur and significance.
The restoration Of the silver dollar, the
reconciliation Of silver, were great re-
forms; but how shall these compare
with the restoration of freedom of the
ballot. For nearly century the several
states Of the union enjoyed complete
electoral freedom. Every citizen voted
% FaI
or assault
Since 1870 this free condition has been
assailed. Millions of dollars at every
presidential election, extorted from the
people by unjust taxation, have been
expended to debauch and to destroy the
franchise.
This maleficent dynasty Of fraud and
force is now entering the valley Of
deaths shadow. 1t is soon to be de-
throned. Its lavish and corrupt ex-
penditures are to cease; its clouds of
ofhcehOlders, it's disciplined brigades Of
vote brokers and suborned bribers are
to be disbanded-tO be seen no more.
The electoral franchise, that precious,
priceless prerogative Of freedom, is to be
redelivered to the states; It is to be the
corOnet and crown of statehood forever.
The free ballot is worth more-is more
than free coinage. 1t incloses and en-
braces-contains every blessing of lib
erty. Does any man doubt, that with
commercial and electoral liberty we shall
attain also monetary freedom? We can
not lose it. We can not miss 1t. The
fiscal and monetary system of the gen.
eral government will be clothed on with
freedOm-such form Of freedom as the
people shall demand, choose, and prefer.
Five and forty years have I labored
in the cause of the American democracy,
and, like Jacob serving Laban for Rachel
thought it but few days for the love
the lOve-I bore IL.
Though I know that this labor will
one day cease, / rest in quietness and
confidence begOtten of the belief, that
though we may not have attained every
hight in Liberty's mountain-yet we
shall.
A free people will make sure Of their
franchises in every art and part-they
will, as far as public law may serve, at
last decree liberty in all things to all
men within the metes and bounds Of
the republic.