The Portland daily press., 1894-07-25


mittee, who read the call. Prayer was
then offered by the Rev. Mr.. Wales, and
then Ma Or Hamilton was introduced.
He welcomed the convention to the city,
referred to the capture by the Repubi-
cans of this rock-ribbed Giberaltar OF the
Democracy" and said that the city was
in training to give Mr.. Reed big major
thy when ne was candidate for the
Presidency in 1896.
Mr.. Halves then announced as chair
man of the convention, Hon. H. H. Bur-
ban of Saco, and as secretaries w. S,
Noyes of Saco, CIV. Morrill, of Portland
and L.. H. Cobb of Portland. Mr.. Bur-
bank, on taking the chair, spoke as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Convention, and Eel
low Citizens:
bring you my sincere gratitude for
this distinguished honor. | also bring
my most cordial congratulations upon
the positive, unmistakahle omens of
victory awaiting the Republicans of this
District and the entire State in this
campaign.
DemoOgatic nominees in our Congress-
ional districts have gone into decline
(and it seems contagious), not having
the courage to face a defeat which in it's
length, breadth and volume will have no
parallel.
But, while we thus felicitate ourselves
over the future bright promise, We are
saddened by the present condition OF I'M
paralleled depression, destituElon and
dependency.
Let us for moment take backward
glance. In November, 1892, we see the
following picture and record OF unexam-
pied prosperity. From a population in
1860 of 81, 443. 331 souls, we had grown in
1880 to 62, 622, 250-about doubled.
In 1860 the number of depositors in the
Savings banks was 693 $40: In 1890,
4,25S, 1893; more than six times increased,
80 per cent. of which is estimated to be
the savings of the wage earners.
Our exports exceeded Ey II. AZ per cent.
the average of preceding years, and had
reached the highest figure known in our
history.
In his annual message of December,
1899, President Harrison says:
There has never been a time in our
history when work was so abundant, or
wages SO high. $g3. 100000 of revenue
taken from sugar alone has gone into
the pockets of the people. The pu blic
debt was reduced during the four years
then past $3.50. 074, 300 and the annual
interest charge was reduced Sl1 1854, 1862
During this time $432, 564.1 76 was paid
out in pension to deserving soldiers, an
excess of Sill, 466, 1856 over the amount
paid out from March /, 1885 to March |,
1907. Ile luIUAtE says DGt1GNH UudU
the protective system which for more
than 30 years has prevailed in our legis-
lation has been mighty instrument for
the development of our national wealth,
and a most powerful agency in protecting
the homes of our workingmen from To e
invasion of want"
Unaccountable as it may seem, how
ever, by some strange infatuation, the
people of this nation, thus prospered and
prospecting, determined to depart from
the clear, bright path of national and
individual success, and wander into the
dark. dismal and doubtful swamp of
theoretics; they deliberately threw down
Il demonstrated problem and picked up
theorem. They chose to believe the
Democratic party when in June 1899 it
declared, I'm making a reduction in
taxes, 1t is not proposed to injure any
domestic industries. but rather to pro
mote their healthy growth" Oh, how
healthy. They accepted in good faith the
statement that the Democratic party is
the only party that has ever given the
country foreign policy consistent and
vigorous, compelling respect abroad and
inspiring confidence at home. Respect
and confidence indeed.
The people put confidence in Cieve-
lands words Of acceptance "We wage no
discriminating war against any Ameri-
can interests,n and We will rely upon
the intelligence of our fellow-country-
men to reject the charge that our party
is planning the destruction or injury of
merican interests They were beguiled
by these sweet words of premise, "all
patriotic and just citizens must oom-
mend liberal consideration for our
worthy veteran soldiers and for the
families of those who have died."
What followed? In 1894 (scarcely two
years since these fattering, fulsome and
| & ,ado Tn, -,
dulgent people, what picture do we find?
1t is seen and known of all Americans.
A picture that needs no artists pointer
to indicate its lights and shades, for
there is little but shade in all.its lines.
Whether your eye dwells upon
foreground or perspective. it soon be-
comes dim with the tear of sorrow and
despair. They who run may read, and
those who read would run. Prophecy
has become history; bright ideals have
turned to sad realities; beauty has
turned to ashes; the oil of joy has
changed to mourning, and our garment
Of praise is changed for the spirit of
heaviness
1t needs no Republican tongue or pen
to adorn the tale or EN- abolish the lesson
which every voter has been most dis
mally taught No one points with
pride" at such picture or record. Even
Democrats can read it all, and as they
listen to the positive expression of public
sentiment all over these Northern States
whose votes have been recorded during
the past year, even they "believe and
tremble" Listen to the scathing denun-
citation of their policy which recently
fell from the lips of a prominent keen,
observing Democrat of national repute.
Having asserted that "our foreign policy
has not met the expectations of the
people" that a sense of humiliation
prevailed when the project for She res
toration OF a deposed monarchy was I'M
folded by the administration, and "this
policy, it must be admitted, was a blum
der, and blunder is sometimes worse
than a crime" he comes to what is
nearer the hearts, the homes and the
happiness of American citizens, and
there is no uncertain sound in his words;
"a large and growing deficit Gin the
National treasury instead of surplus is
staring us in the face; onr Industries are
paralyzed, our manufactures are closed,
o,,r ,Uorlxinomau are idle If iS fo,,ud