The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-06-20
ARE OPENING GUNS
PRESIDENT TRACY SAYS LEAGUE
CONVENTIONS OPEN CAMPAIGNS.

Conssdering How They can Best Serv'
Their Country and Party--Organizatior
has Grown Out Of All Expectations
Always Careful to Avoid Taking Any
Position which would Conflict with the
National Conyentions-Speech in Full.
Cleveland, O., June 19.-Presiden'
Tracy made the opening speech before
the delegates to the National Republ-
can League, as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen-It is my duty
and pleasure to now formally declare
opened the Eighth Annual Convention
of the Republican National League.
Our last camp fires were laid upon the
slopes of the Rocky mountains, in the
heart of that vast western empire Whlcn,
with its newer civilization and youth
full vigor, gives to the nation new blood,
new life and energy. From the noble
peaks Of those grand mountains and
from the exhilarating atmosphere OF
those beautiful valleys we drew new
inspirations, new thoughts, and came
forth from that convention well equip
ped for the campaign then before U.S.
/ congratulate you, as members of the
Republican clubs of the United States
the positive and active force Of that
campaign-upon the great and over
whelming victory gained by our party.
Rarely in our political history has a
party elected its candidates by such
great pluralities. In congratulating
ourselves upon the work of party or
ganiZation, we must keep well in mind
the fact that an influence far more po-
tent than party organizations had been
at work among the voters. Never be-
fore had the leaders of a great party
demonstrated such abSoluet incapacity
for administering the affairs of govern
ment as had the Democratic leaders
for two years previous to that election.
IT was but a natural result that the peo-
pie, disguised with Democratic states
manship. should grasp the opportunity
TO administer lasting rebuke to that
party. The election Of last November
sounded a note Of warning to the world
that the people of the United States
once and for all declared themselves in
favor of protection to American indus
tries and American labor. 1t was the
bugle note which awakened the sleeping
industries and brought new life into the
business world. 1t caused the fires OF
the American furnaces to again awaken
TO an American demand; i thas put the
wheels of commerce into motion, and
the glad hum of industry must soon re-
sound throughout the land. Enterprise,
revivified, is extending her arms of iron
into new fields, into UNEMPLOYED terri
tory, never to cease until old mother
earth shall have been made to give up
her hidden treasUre in the furthermDst
corners of our territory At such a
. time, when the business world has
thrown off its shackles. when the pent
up power and force of three long years
Is forming the current which will bring
prosperity and happiness to all of the
people, it is most fitting that we should
join here in a general rejoicing over the
possibilities of the future We should
rejoice THAT We are young, and have
presented to us the great opportunities
of the good times to come; we should re-
joice that we are Americans, youths
of the youngest nation in history. and
rejoice that we are members of the
greatest political party of the age, a
party which from the first has repre-
sented in its membership the intelli-
gence, patriotism and higher ambitions
Of the republic. Thus II is with quick
ened step and loyal hearts, in harmony
with the times, we come together as
representa- tives of the Republican Ma
tional League. in this great heart of
Republicanism, this beautiful city of
Cleveland, to express our unbounded
cofidence in the integrity of the Repub-
Gcan party. and renew our fealty to
that party in the name Of the great
leader, the martyred president, under
the shadow of whose tomb We are as
sembled.
As members Of this organization. we
gather here today to consider how, as
Intelligence and patriotic American cit
t1enS, we can best serve our country
and party. This great gathering of
young men from every state in the
union, many Of whom have travelled
thousands of miles, with no promise of
preferment or reward, bears testimony
to the great work this organization has
accomplished. and demonstrates its
value TO the party. Well may the Re
publican party be proud of this organ
ization. for it is largely through its la
bors that the young men of this coun-
try have been enlisted in its ranks.
The founding of a great league of 1000
young men who gathered at Chickering
Hall. in New York City, in December.
tSS1. created a new path in the political
field, opening up as il did for the Young
men and the first voters new avenues
for practical political work As a result
1t has given a political education TO
thousands of young men who otherwise
would have had little interest in polit
ical affairs. To those whose ideals have
been somewhat remove from practical
politics, 1t has given an opportunity for
individual effort. 1t has made ont of
the political dreamer a practical ideal
list. who is destined to be A most bene-
hclai factor in the politics of the
country.
In the eighth year Of our organization
we find ourselves grown beyond our ex-
pectationS. Our conventions are the
opening guns of ever campaign Our
deliberationS are listened TO with the
utmost consideration and evince the
Tact that the future of the league as a
power for good in the Republican party
Is assured No political party can ex-
list long IN any country which does not
appeal in every way to the young men
NJ the country. The past record of a
party may be such as 10 stir the en-
thuslaSm or warm the patriotism of
youth. but the huStlnC, practical young
man Of the day demands that the party
10 which he allies his fortunes shall be
party OF the present. face squarely to
the front and fear not to take un and
consider any and all Of the compIax
questions which confront us from time
10 time Therein lies the value of these
conventions. Here We can as represent
fatiNes of the various portions Of our
vast country pass a few DAYS in calm
and judiciouS consideration Of the cues
lions which are. near the hearts of the
people. The discussion NAV be free and
untrammeled. Every individual dele
egate has the opportunity To express his
opinion on the question before Us. Tins
these conventions become the cIeariDp
house Of the party. open 10 prasent.a
ton of new thoughts and new ideas
and TO broader consideration Of the old
ones. The conventions of the Republi-
ran National League have always re
ceiVed the hearty endorsement of The
party IN the past. because they have
avoided taking any position which
would IN any way be an anticipatio ~
me Republican national convention.
AS this organization is but auxiliary -
that convention, II can in no way bind
me future action of the party. We are
S2fiSfiAd that 10