Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-21
Calvin s. Brfce.

from his bed room. Congressman Sorg,
through his secretary. Col Knburne.
through his friends, and others who had
been mentioned for standard bearers, also
gave out that they would not accept.
The silver men met and resolved not to
have a free coinage man on the ticket. II
they could prevent 1t.
Several personal encounters were fea-
lures of the night meetings, and the feel
ing was no better when the delegates as
sembled. The Brice men had everything.
svoiding further trouble. They were con-
ciliatory, but the minority insisted that
they had offered the olive branch and that
1t had been refused. This spell was broken
temporarily when Senator Brice entered
the hall on time and received an ovation.
Governor Campbell efterward was re-
ceived with rounds of applause. The hall
was deliberately decorated. but too small to
accommodate all holding tickets.
1t was 1890 when the chairman of the
state committee, NJ. A. Smalley, called the
convention to order. Prayer was offered by
Prof. S. F. Breckenridge. after which Sen
ator c. S. Brice was introduced as the pre-
siding officer of the convention.
Senator Brice's Speech.
Senator Bricc said:
Gentlemen Of the convention: / recog-
nize the honor and responsibility Of the po-
sition which has been assigned me, and
shall endeavor to fill it to the best of my
regards for the right Of each and every
delegate I can only succeed with your
forbearance and assistance, upon which !
shall rely. knowing that we have all come
for the same general purpose-the success
Of the democratic party In the state. We
may, as we often have in the past, differ
as to details and have warm controver-
sizes as to the manner In which, and the
instrumentalities by which we may best
accomplish our common purpose. but this
year, If ever, the Ohio democracy must
fight with unbroken ranks. and against the
common enemy.
1--WE must recognize the gravity Of the
situation. 1t is now less than a year since
we were beaten in this state by nearly
10000 plurality, nor was this local dis
aster affecting only the party In the state.
We suffered from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific, and from the lakes to the gulf. We
were beaten in our strongholds, as well as
in doubtful places, and 1t Is idle to talk OF
its being the fault of any one man, or any
single act Of the party, or any Of the minor
causes that affect political success.
Why Democracy Was Beaten.
'"The shadow of the great worldwide
panic the industrial and financial depres-
sion, low prices for all products. low wages
or no wages for workingmen everywhere,
despair for farmer and mechanic, terror
and ruin for bankers and merchants, and
at the bottom of all a false tariff system
running in turn manufacturer and con-
sumer, and an unwise and fatally weak
currency situation. had thrown over the
whole nation resentment against the party
which happened to be In power when the
disaster came Millions Of democrats re-
mained at home-hundreds OF thousands IN
our own state-as mute protest against
the powerlessEess -of their President ana
their Congress to prevent or protect them
from these disasters. Men from all parties
and everywhere were freely saying that
the democratic party was dead-dissolved,
gone of into the camps Of the populists
and the socialists. and has become mere
union and without hope. There was wild.
fierce clamor against the President, against
the democratic Senate, against the demo-
cratic House So widespread was this feel
ing Of hopelessness among our party that
we have already lost our majority in the
Senate, not to be regained In many years.
"Our majority Of more than 100 in the
House Of Representatives has been reversed
and our membership in that branch Of the
present Congress is a mere handful. Is this
the time for those who remain steadfast
and loyal to the great party of JEFFERSON.
Jackson. Tilden and Cleveland to indulge
in Quarrels and recriminations? Should we
not rather welcome all who are willing to
Join hands and build the democratic struc-
ture on which, as We believe. lies happi.
ness and safety for this government and its
people?
Democrats in Hope.
But, gentlemen, does not this conyen-
ton and the intense feeling manifested
by those who attend it and those who have
sent their delegates here tell the story
that a change has come over the public
mind; that the democratic party is no
longer PROSTATE: that its fortunes are ris-
ing, and that it is quite worth the while
to be in the democratic army, which al
ready has the assured and confident step Of
q march toward victory? Panic and fear