The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-13
OUR Nations NEEDS.
An Appeal to. Democrats to
Relieve Distress.
PLEDGES MUST BE FULFILLED.
Eckels Says IL VIII Bring Glory In the
Futurc-The Meeting Was an Anti
Hill Demonstration--Some Curious
Arguments Advanced.

DoSioc, Aprl io.-lno IouuB Meu y
Democratic club of Massachusetts, OBJ
Served the anniversary of tho birth of the
patriarch of the party. Thomas Jefferson,
by giving rousing banquet at the Quincy
House last night.
IL was one of the largest gatherings
the club has held since its inception, and
this, In measure, was owing to the
presence of several speakers of national
reputation.
In opening the post-prandial exercises
President Strstton aroused the members
to high pitch of enthusiasm by making
sharp thrust at Senator Hill, in saying
that no good Democrat would attack,
either in the senate or in private, bill.
introduced by Democratic committee or
attempt to belittls the dignity of the
president by insidious attacks upon him.
The speakers were Comptroller Eek
els Secretary Sterling Morton, Hon. John
T.. Russell, Ex-Governor William E. Rus
sell. Mayor Matthews and ma9y others.
Mr.. Eckels speech was the one in which
the most interest was centered, and was.
In substance, as follows:
Eckels' Speech.
Comptroller Eckles said that he ac-
cepted with pleasure the opportunity of
greatest Of American Democrats. of again
renewing fealty TO professed Democratic
principles and loyalty to an administra-
tion which has been unfaltering in en-
forcing those principles.
After paying a handsome tribute to
John r.. Russell on his speech to the
Democracy of Illinois, he took up the
questions of the day. and said that recent
events showed that thoughtful attention
must be given to the present and future
OF Democracy. The position it occupies
today was different to any time within the
memory of those present 1t bears the re-
sponsibility of the national government
and must be held amenable for the con-
duet Of public affairs.
Its chosen representative fills, with
credit to himself and honor to the party,
the Office Of chief magistrate OF the ma
ton, while Democratic majorities prevail
in both houses of congress. Its commits
sion was from the electors who drove
from power a party that had been
recreant TO the vast interests of the coun-
try and indifferent To the needs of the
people.
Can't Fool the People
The Democratic party must fnlfill the
pledges given on the platform by their
orators. The public will not be deceived
by fattery or soothed into silence by
splendid phraseology. The acts of its
servants are scrutinized by the press and
che people, who care little for past tradi-
tions. The temper of the people will
brook no delay, for they demand immedi-
ate action, and its present acts map out its
future history.
Since the advent of Democracy into
power It has met with EN- barrassments,
the legacy of a party who came into
power when the people were happy and
prosperous. who depleted its overflowing
treasury, lessened its store of gold, dis
turbed the financial interests of the
country, and weakened confidence at home
and abroad in our monetary system,
closed mills and factories and caused the
distress which prevail in the vast army Of
the unemployed.
In the midst of this the opposition is
trying to create the belief that this un-
fortunate situation is due to the return of
Democracy to power Let no thoughtful
citizen be deceived
Nothing can be further from the truth
or less in accord with the facts. The
Sherman silver act was a child of the OPP
position, received its sanction i'm its eau
cuses, its vi tality through the approval of
their executive Only in It's erasure
from the statute book, as a source of
weakness to our financial interests, have
the Democrats had aught TO do with it.
The Mckinley bill brought increased
ruin TO that wrought by the Sherman act.
The late administration found an over
flowing treasury, and left it depleted.
They found gold coming into the country,
but their act sent 1t out
n. \ J..A- -
bringing about different order of things
which must be met with courage, wis
dom. and with patriotic devotion To the
country's great needs Never was there
greater need for harmony of action or
unity OF purpose.
1t is now within the power Of the Dem
ocracy to make into law the great reform
TO which 10 much time, energy and
thought has been expended. III il can
but accomplish this none need doubt the
glory Of its future.
Secretary Morton's A ddress.
Secretary Morton's address dealt
largely in economics and trade questions.
One of the principal points made in the
speech was that protection was now rec
ognized as provincial and local, while
free trade was national.
In allusion to the Democratic party Mr..
Morton said that there was one class Of
men who believed in aud advocated free
trade because they loved liberty-because
they thought that every man Is entitled
to use the legitimate earnings of his own
mind and person to the best advantage of
himself and family; and that 70 do this
he should be allowed to exchange his
earnings wherever he can get for them
the most of those things which he desires.
They believe" said Mr.. Morton, that
free trade does not compel any body TO
trade anywhere. that it does not even
suggest trading They believe, however,
that it permits men to trade wherever 1t
may seem TO their advantage"
The United States bad a great and
growing trade with Europe. And II must
have been, therefore, u trade mutuslly
profitable TO the United States and to
Europe. And high protective tariff was
established to stop that trade; that IL, to
destroy traffic which was mutually ad-
vantageous to Europe and America.