The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-14
SOUNDS THE KEYNOTE
Ex-PreSident Harrison Refers to
the Existing Depression.
His Address Before the Republican Mass
Meeting at TOmlinson Hall Last
Night-Other Speeches.

The meeting at Ton,lnson Hall last night
was fitting close TO the Lincoln Leagues
annual convention. The unpleasant weather
conditions kept many away, but there was
enough enthusiasm in the fair-siZed audi
ence that assem- led to make the occasion
memorable one. Every body was ready to
shout at the mention Of the certain success
that awaits the grand old party next fall,
ana the feeling was of that confident sort
that presages victory. The speakers were
continually interrupted by the applause and
SHOUTS OF the ardent Republicans who had
gathered to listen to the doctrines their al
legiance is pledged TO, and which they feel
Will rescue the country from the slough of
financial dependency into which it has
fallen through the persistent efforts of the
Democracy. 1t was just the sort of crowd
TO make speaker feel at home, for it lost
none of the good points made and gave the
heartiest sort of recognition to the senti-
ments which will be heard frequently and
eioquently enough during the approaching
campaign
shortly after o'clock President Sulzer
appeared on the platform with ex-President
harrison, who was received with the great
est enthusiasm. General Nelson, of Terre
Haute, Hon. Smiley N Chambers, OF this
city, Frank Posey, of Evansville, and 9TH
ers occupied places on the stage. Mr. Sui
zers first reference to General Harrison
was the signal for che sring, and the audi
ence In every way showed its admiration
Tor the man who. as the Nations executive
gave the country an administration of such
prosperity.
After the band had entertained the audi
ence for half an hour President Sulzer of
the Indiana Republican League, opened the
meeting with a brief speech, in which he
said that 1t had been the custom of the
various league clubs to hold an annual con-
Fentlon In this city on each birthday of
the martyr President, and that this year
ID had been determined to vary the usual
routine OF the occasion by closing with a
mass meeting, the first of the sort ever held
In the State by the league. The stormy
weather had interfered to some extent with
the attendance, but not with the enthusi-
asm, and he hoped that this, the first mass
meeting of the Lincoln League would not
be the last, and that the organization would
have many more I'VE have with us to-
night" concluded Mr.. Sulzer, "as our guest
a gentlemen who was for four years the
honored President of our Nation CTremen-
dous applause) In your presence, and in
the presence Of Republicans and liberty
loving people wherever found, he needs no
| introduction. His administration marked
the most progressive, prosperous and bril-
liant period in American history. Great
applause) 1t needs no Recommendation.
but in it's glory and gladness it speaks for
ITSELF General Harrison did not come here
to speak, but his heart and his hopes
with the Republican party and with the
country. and 1 know he will favor us with
a few remarks tonight on behalf of the
Lincoln League"
GENERAL HARRISON'S SPEECH
Upon coming forward General Harrison
was given an ovation Waiting until the
storm of applause had passed he spoke as
follows:
Mr. President and FeIIow-citizens-Ther
| ident should be a political deaf mute.
Gaughter4 do not accept that h IL, theory
citizens with the highest civil place in the
| government ought not to have less interest
| in those things that concern the prosperity
and happiness of the people or the glory of
the country than he had before he took
| the office. (Applause) Unless he be an ex-
ceptionally dull man he must, in the con-
| tact with great affairs and with great men.
have acquired enlarged understanding
| of those principles that enter into the adj
mlnlStratiOn or this government. / am not,
however, present tonight with a view of
entering into any discussion of those intense
| queStOnS WHICH are now Durue0lnG the
| minds and the hearts of the American peo-
| pie have only said this much in the
nature of caveat. Upon suitable occa-
slonS, when 1t Is agreeable to the people
| and convenient for me- 1 shall feel at lib
| erJy to address my fellOw-citiZenS. The
present condition of our country is not
| one of prosperity. We were recently pros
| porous; and the recent prosperity not
| due to any man, but to great policy that
Tba pe oTe put dt raw anu IGg
| Qaughter) is not due to any man, but as l
think TO the imminent threat OF a reversal
of the old policy and the institution of a
| Il am not one Of the ancient landmarks
put my memory easily runs back to a
| eph f. Mcdonald were representative In
| diana Democrats. L have heard my es-
| aid, expound the Democratic views of the
| tariff. He said that it was the accepted
| principle of the Democratic party that the
| expenses of the government should be
| raised by customs duties and that 1t was
| proper and right that in laying these du-
| ties they should be imposed upon such ar
| dental protection to the American manu-
| facturer and laborer. That swaS the old
| Democratic doctrine. If it were applied
| now-ie the Wilson bill had been con-
| structed on those lines-it would not have
| been so hurtful because the present neceS-
| sites of the government are such. the de-
| mand is for so large sum to meet our an
| nusl expenditures, that II this sum were
| now to be collected by customs duty, and
! those duties imposed by men VINO mad no
| theories to exploit, and who were sincerely
| friendly to the American manufacturer and
| laborer. we might get along pretty well.
| (ApplauSe) But there has come new gos-
| pei; q new creed has been adopted by the
| Democratic party, and 1t seems TO be now
| the theory that all protection is unconsu-
| tutional and that il is better TO resort 70
| exceptional, extraordinary and even obi
| Gus methods of direct internal taxation,
than to derive the necessary revenue from
| imnortatiOns. (Applause)
| 1--WE used to hear a great deal about the
| war tariff and the war taxes They were
| onerous in the extreme; they searched Out
| every source of revenue, foreign and inter
| nal The taxgatherer laid his claim upor
| every mar and upon all property. But Sc
| soon as the government had recovered Itself
| from the stress of the war Republican Con
| crosses entered upon the work or removing
these war taxes. l well remember while
| WAS in the SeIate the passage OF a Dill re
| pealng the law imposing stamp duties upor
| patent medicines, perfumery and such Ike
| articles. 1t left remaining OF the lnterna
tax only the duties on whisky beer anC
| tobacco And now, by those who have 81
often and so vigorously denounced wal
taxes we are invited to use some method:
of taxation that have been generally
thought by the whole people 20 De sucn a.
were to be used only In time of war. w ma
Is the explanation of this? Is 1t that duties
cannot be so laid as TO raise the necessary
revenue? Not at all. II Is that there arr
those who are not willing that even tn
incidental protection that results from IN
collection of the revenue necessary TO IN
| support of the government shall go 10 TN
benefit Of the American manufacturer ant
| Iaborer. (ApplauSeD Whether we are rlgn
! in thinking that this threat of a severe re
| 0uction in the customs duties is the Gauss
4 Dc lcf fnr