Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-31
FRIDAY. ....""AUGUST 81. 1894.
Mr. Wilson's Speech.

Chairman Wilson. Of the Committee OF
Ways and Means Of the House OF Repre-
eentatlves, will in November be reelected
to that House. or we shall ind ourselves
much disappointed. We do not underes-
innate the great work to which he was
called by the Martinsburg convention of
Wednesday last, nor forget the fact that
his district is what in old times was
called in Virginia a shoe-string district.
That district extends from Harper's Fer
~, where John Brown began the war of
races IN the South, almost 10 the Ohio
river. 1t borders for over hundred
miles upon Maryland and Pennsylva"'"
1t abounds in minerals. lumber. etc. etc.
and so affords the Republicans coveted
opportunities for appealing to the peo-
pie 10 protect American industries
England has been a purchaser or west
Virginias lumber. In a word Mr.. Will
sons district is one which no other man
than himself could carry. This. we think
may be said with truth. Not because OF
his incumbency OF the place do we say
this. but because he possesses that
ability which Virginians. western and
EASTERN have always recognized in their
sons, II these could truthfully boast of 1t.
MIR. Wilson'S sincerity Is illustrated in
svery remark he made TO the convention
which nominated him for reelection. He
Is full of the main subject OF that
speech-so full that his utterances re-
mind one OF the best of Mr.. Clevela
efforts in behalf of tariff reform. Indeed
he completely ignores a subject which
many good Democrats in Virginia think
will throw into the shade all tariff ques-
lions. 1t contains not one word on the
silver question. Nevertheless platform
was adopted by the nominating conven-
lion which touches upon several topics
that Mr.. Wilson. speaking out OF the
abundance Of his heart, omitted to dis
cuss. His reference to some of his con-
yressional associates as 'minions' OF a
great trust escaped from his lips, we
suspect. in an unguarded moment. How
ever. he must not be held TO a strict ac-
countability for all the words which pro-
cceded from his mouth under the extra
ordinary circumstances which surrounded
him at Martnsburg last Wednesday,
where he posed as the peoples idol and
received such an ovation as might well
have turned his head.
"T'he fight is still on" says Mr.. Wilson.
speaking in this case for the President,
or, al any Tete. speaking no doubt as
the President has spoken 10 him. But this
,s not 10 be III Gerstood as threat; for
Mr.. Wilson pro ceeds at once to add that
ALI this does rot imply dissatisfaction
with the Dcnc cratic party as whole,
ror distrust as TO its intentions. For mat
rarity as sucn has made faithful efforts
10 redeem It's pledges. "They have Kept
the faith. They have been true TO their
nr,nciples" o, the other hand they have
never failed TO find the Republicans
.turdily and solidly arrayed for the de-
fence OF every trust which the Demo-
Gratis had uncovered. And Mr.. NlsoA
very properly added that the new tarir
hin carries in It very substantial rehet
10 the American people, and must be ac-
cep,ed as the beginning of thorough anu
progressive tarn.
The platform denounces protective
tariff in every form OF words. The con-
yen,ion did not seem TO know when IL
tad been abused enough. There are seve-
tai planks in the platform. but nearly all
OF them are devoted to tarih reform
One touches up German, Brice, &c, An
other accepts the much denounced new
tariff as u vast improvement upon the
existing conditions. (Mr. Clevelands
words) Another endorses the repeal OF
oil the Federal election laws. But the
last sentence returns 10 the tariff ana
recognizes Mr.. Wilson as tho honest
heroic and cours geous leader OF the tariff
reform cause In the United states.
Mr.. Wilson. as We have heretofore
stated. goes to Europe to remain there
nbout month. He leaves his cause IN
tie hands OF his friends. We trust that
he Will return home fully restored 10
health ana ready 10 speak In a eooo
many counties the words OF truth am
,oberness for which he is remarkable.