The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-06
HEINRICHSEN'S SPEECH.
The Chairman Tells Why the COnven-
ton Was Called.


In calling the convention to order w. H.
Heinrichsen, chairman of the Democratic
State committee, said:
Before stating the object of this con-
vention it is proper that should give brief
ly the reasons or the state central commit
tee for calling you together: When the
uary il found the Democratic party of the
State in a deplorable condition. At the
bers had voted the Republican ticket, thou
sands had voted the Populist ticket while
others sulked and refused to vote any
few old bourbons and United States Of
fee holders, there seemed to be little left
of a party which had carried the State by
Ssore The sf1aon 'M the or
encfgetic action on the part OF the State
committee, and investigation of the causes
at once set on foot. IL was found that the
most general cause of the complaint was
that Congress had failed to establish
permanent currency system for coun-
try, and that even in their attempts 10 do
so our representatives had not reflected the
real sentiments of their constituents. The
President and each member of Congress
had interpreted the c@i.. s,s.cv plank of the
platform OF 1892 TO suit himself. and IL was
evident that most of them had tried to
carry out the wishes OF a minority rather
than of a majority OF the party. The cur
rency question was found 10 be the most
common subject OF discussion among the
people, and il was easy TO see that II would
be the great issue i'm the next campaign
Silver clubs were being formed all over the
country. mass conventions of silver Demo-
Gratis were being called in the counties
and the organization of the national silver
party at Washington threatened TO take
from us the last forlorn remnant of our
demoralized party.
''The situation was a grave one. The
President and other Democrats in high
policy to which the rank and file of the
party were opposed; the administration
could not or would not believe that it was
not in accord with the people in its finan-
cial policy, and the committee in planning
a campaign OF education found that one
side or the other of this great financial
question must be taken. 1t had no right
TO make a platform or to outline a policy
in its trouble il determined on the Dem
ocratic plan of asking the people for in
structions, and SO this convention was
called.
''The question has been asked, why was
the convention called so early? 1t is easily
answered, for there were two good rea-
sons-one was to forestal the action of the
national silver party. which was prepar-
carried many good Democrats in this and
other States, and the other was for the
purpose Of opening up the question for dis
cussion long enough before the meeting of
the national convention in 1896 TO prevent
a hopeless split in the party. 1t was re-
membered that tSss Just previous TO the eon
was divided on the tariff question. much
as it is on the money question to-day that
President Cleveland issued MS Famous
message committing the party TO tariff re-
FORM and that the shortness OF time be-
tween the issuing of the message and the
election prevented the thorough discussion
of the question, and so brought on Demo-
cratic defeat This one OF the mis-
takes of President Cleveland that the COM
mittee did not care to initiate
ATTACKS ON THE COMMITTEE.
cit has been asserted that State con-
vention has no right to discuss and pass
opI hot ont lv
this convention should not have been called
Such a suggestion is absurd. A national
convention is made up of delegates from
the different States and the party in each
state has right TO express itself at any
and all times, on any and all questions
and to instruct it's delegates to the national
convention to the policy IL desires car
ried out. While the action of this conven-
ton cannot bind the delegates to the ma
tionaI convention of 1896, yet its action can
and will serve As a basis Tor campaign
of education TO be carried on by the state
committee TO the end that the party be
united on one common object. The COM
mittee has been severely criticized Tor call
ing this convention. The worst motives
have been suggested. the silest eptnets
| have been used and men calling themselves
| Democrats have not hestated to say
through the pubic press that the action OF
/ the committee was irregular. illegal, trait
| orous and destructive. The committee has
had but little TO say in reply TO these at
| tacks and has avoided any personalities
| that might drive any good Democrats out
| of the party but / feel IL my duty at this
! time and place 10 make denial of all
! these charges. The action of the commit
tee was strictly regular and according 10
| party precedents. / think / haze shown
/ clearly that il was necessary for the good
| of the party and that il * approved by
| the party is shown by the hearty re-
| sponse il has met with from the people.
/ Now 1 believe man may be good DEM
ocrat and be in Iavor Of any form of cur
/ rency whatsoever until the party plat
| form has been built. He may be gold
! bug and be good Democrat: he may be
/ n himetallist and be a good Democrat: he
/ may be a greenbacker and be good Dem
ocrat but the man who says and believes
/ that the State committee had no right to
call on the people for instruction. and who
! SAYS and believes that this convention has
/ no right TO assemble and discuss any ques-
ton. has not drop Of Democratic
olood in his veins and has no right or
/ place in the Democr.ic party.
/ This convention was not called for the
purpose OF reading any man out of the
/ ber concerned In the call given utterance
/ 10 any expression that would indicate any
| such intention. On the contrary. every ef-
/ fort has been made TO prevent anything
! like a rupture In the Democratic ranks. Al
/ the same time the committee has resented
| the attempt OF few would-be bosses to
| control the masses. either by means OF
| public patronage, by threats OF leaving
! the party. and now that they have nc
| evidently failed TO accomplish their purpose
and desire TO leave US We can only bic