The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-11-28


stand appalled, at the power they invoked
to achieve a fruitless victory; it was fruit
less, for it was not a triumph OF principle
nor a promise of reform 1t was most
dearly bought, for it revealed power OF
wealth to shape and control our political
affairs that must fill the mind of every good
citizen with the keenest apprehension Not
a few who contributed to the late result
Republicans and Democrats, have since con-
fessed to me that they are amazed at the
political power of combined and selfish
wealth that the election developed. This
aspect of the situation JustineS a political
party-and emphasizes the necessity OF its
existence and ultimate triumph-that will
take notice of that power. comprehend the
menace it is to the republic and devote it
self to it's destruction. This is the work
the Peoples party is committed to, and it
is holy and patriotic a work people
ever engaged in. (Applause.)
The political liberty of thousands of our
citizens is gone, and it's restoration must
be the first achievement of this party.
When any man, no matter how poor or
Iowly he may be- is denied the right to
walk boldly and manfully up to the bal
lot box and there fearlessy give express
sion to his political convictions, the politi-
cal liberty of every citizen is assaulted,
the fundamental principle of this govern
ment is assailed, and all good citizens
should at once combine to protect that
man and preserve his rights. AS mat
ter of fact, thousands of our citizens are
denied that right, and it must be restored
or this republic will surely perish from the
face of the earth. (ApplauseD
The Republicans have for years deplored
and denounced the intimidation of voters
in the South, by the sO-cal!ed shotgun pol
icy, but now adopts and profits by an in
timidation here in the North that is t
once viler and more effective. The range
of the shotgun is limited its aim may not
be deadly; it is less to be feared than
ho Of tfl,n low, tha r..
who grants political liberty to the en-
ploye or debtor only a the price Of en-
forced idleness, immediate satisfaction of
his debt, and the probable starvation of
wives and children. The range of that
threat is unlimited, and its aim never
misses. The Republican party has now
become Sinbad the political power of
| wealth manifested in that threat is an old
man of the sea astride Sinbad's neck, and
| he will never be shaken off, but will worry
| his victim to death; and it must be our
business to aid the Old Man and hasten
| the contamination of his efforts. The
events of the past few weeks have made
clear the paths that the Peoples party
must travel in the future. They have
| clearly defined the line of future battles,
| have demonstrated that the benefciaries
| of the political power Of wealth in both
| of the old parties will hereafter be found
| on one side of the line and the victims of
that power the other, and when the
| forces are so u1N1uei there VIII De no
| doubt about the result of the contests.
| THIS is a thought that should cheer you
| on in the work you here tonight to
| inaugurate. (Applause.)
| There is another cause for self-congratu
lation that | now want to call your atten-
| ton to. An analysis of the Peoples party
vote in this state shows that it is gathering
! its recruits from the very best class of cit
| liens from the thoughtful the intelligent,
| the patriotic; from that great middle class
| that has always been the salvation. the
| sheet anchor of nations in their days of per-
| il, We need expect help from the pluto
| cratic ranks, and but little from the de-
| pendents of plutocrats The first will not
| come to us, the last cannot But. thank
| God | believe there are still enough cti-
| zens who are not rich enough to be bene-
| fitted by prevailing plutocratic methods, and
| who too rich and independent to be
the slaves of putocratS, enough of those
who cannot be intmidated by threats of
| death at the shot guns muzzle. or starva-
ton in howell poor house, to save this re-
| public by restoring and preserving TO every
| citizen all his rights under the law! To
this class must we look for our strength
| in the future, for it is this class that is
| with US now. In creating our organizations,
| in choosing their leaders ami workers. in
conventions, in declarations eff principles.
| we should ever have in mind the class OF
citizens that must be depended upon to ac-
complish the objects that are so dear TO
us. Our public speakers. Our writer's, our
NEWSPAPERS should also be mindful of the
| character of those they must influence, for
| then they will realize that reason logic,
| fact sincerity and earnestness are the forces
| that must be employed if success is to be
achieved
In your deliberations here tonight l i'm
plore you to be inspired 10y the holiness of
| your and the necessity of its triumph.
| Let that inspiration so till your minds and
| hearts that there will be no room in them
for seifishness, envy or discord BY your
| actions here proclaim to the great public
| that YOU are harmonious. THAI YOU are unit
| ed. that fractional strife and personal hatred
| has no habitation here and YOU will do
your party and your country lasting and
| a patriotic service. (Appiausep
The chairman next Introduced Hon. Ig-
natius Donneily.
| MI Donnelly was greeted with great
and long continued applause as ne came
| forward.
| He thanked the audience for their kind
| and cordial reception The meeting an
| astonishing one. He could have expected
| something of the kind a week or two before
| election. when mems hearts were filled with
| high hope Of victory at hand But he
| was not prepared for such demonstration
| on the heels of defeat. in the midst of the
| very smoke of a disastrous battle field. He
| had expected solemn and funereal assem-
| blage. Instead of that he found a crowd
wild with enthusiasm, ara IuIi vi IeSolute
determine ton. eff we to believe the
| daily papers-and of course they always
| told the truth-Qaughter, you are" he
| said "a body of ghosts-a spiritualistic
| convention-revsiting the slinnpses of the
moon and making night hideous. Great
laughter)
| "Our hearts are all sore over the defeat
| of MIR. Owen great appiause,: and yet
| sorry as for his failure-sorry as
we are for the failure of all Of us-much
| myself great applause ana merrimenD. we
are but the drlftwood the surface of the
| stream of events" CA voice. That's it
| only driftwood'' Laughter, See" said
| Mr.. Donnelly, "how ready the people are
| to agree with man when he disparages
himself Great laughter) And how
| promptly they would disagree if he praised
| himself Laughter) But the point l was
| trying to make was this. that it is not
| necessary that individuals should triumph;
| that they should be elected to office; that
| is all we'll eonugh but it is not essential.
| The essential thing is that the movement
| should demonstrate that it is daily and
| hourly gaining strength and advancing
| toward ultimate victory Cries of That's
| it," and great applause.} And that much
| it has demonstrated; another two wears of
| such growth the last two have afforded
| and will control the state despite all
| combinations (Applause.) This year the
| paign over the question Of 'fusing' with
| Democrats Think of such union that!
| common law marriage of monstrosities;
| a morganitic conjunction without tlecency
| or the hope of posterity. Great laughter
| and applause.) barren. fruitess temper
with =