The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-20

be the watchword, for there are great
problems, which If rightly solved, will
better the general conditions in this
country.
"For two years we have been under
Democratic rule, pure aud simple, but i
need not review their work :ssit is familiar
to you all. 1t has been unAmerican and
unpatriotic. Its results are felt through
out the length and breadth OF this great
nation, sapping the very life blood of its
great industrial and commercial interests,
reaching to the hands OF our artisans and
producers of wealth. Witness this great
national Democratic party, having full
control of the government, coming into
power with almost unparalleled popular
ity. Today the results of their work
remind me OF a smart young man, the
son OF distinguished educational pro-
fessor, who easily mastered all parts of
college education, the arts and sciences,
and at the age of "a had no settled convic-
tions, or determination for his life work.
1t was said of him that he was "over
bright"
snow do not charge that the Demo
cratic party is "over bright; but GER
tainly they have a great aggregation OF
something unexplainable, for having
controlled the three departments OF gov
ernment for upward of two years, they
have paralyzed business, and so changed
the nations credit that 3si per cent. has
actually been paid on long time bonds,
l. fIa . "a.
istration of the Republican party just
preceding, per cent. was deemed a fair
rate.
"But a change is comingl Already the
thanks OF the people are ascending TO
heaven, because the Fifty-third Congress
has passed away, and the Presidents
hands are weighted against further mis-
chief Yes, the grand old party of the
Republic is marching back into power;
but with that power comes responsibilities
that may well move the heart of the
patriot. 1t is not sufficient for us that
the Democratic party has been turned out
of the paradise they fondly hoped was
theirs for generation at least. Nor is IL
sufficient that we hold a certificate OF good
behavior, and of promoting good govern
ment during the past 81 years and more, or
that in the past, we have been true to our
pledges and principles. New occasions
bring new duties. The party must show
itself equal to graphing with and work
ing out the perplexing problems now
looming up dark and threatening on the
Legislative horizon. The monetary ques-
tion is attracting attention, seemingly to
some TO be more immediate in its
demands than ever was that OF the tariff.
But this, i believe, will be settled speedily
when the economic policy of this nation
is adjusted to meet the conditions of all
sections of our land for after all, is not
any currency question, at bottom, an in
dustrial question? Both the currency and
the tariff questions are essentially wage
questions, that bring us face to face with
the problem of how to secure and main
tain greater equity between capital and
labor. To my mind, this will, in the near
future, be the most important question,
for there is spirit of unrest abroad in
this great land, from feeling of unequal
division of the product of this nation.
"The knowledge that this by nature is
the richest land in the universe brings to
our shores many seeking TO better their
come them, for they who dig the precious
from the ground, and they who
fill the soil, produce wealth as truly as
those who weave our fabrics and fashion
the steel into pruning hooks
SIT is, believe, the question of a divi-
sion OF the product of the nations great |
wealth which we possess. How shall we |
secure and maintain equity between labor |
and capital? The one who labors with |
hands and brain and creates something, |
and the one who furnishes capital and |
brain TO enable large enterprises to be |
are equally entitled to COM
pensa tion. 1t is this adjustment of equity |
which, believe will in the near future, |
engage the best brain and the brightest
thought and effort of our nation.
"The Republican party i'm its return to
power, must face these questions, and il |
will meet them honestly and squarely.
IL will be a tremendous task to bring |
together on one common understanding,
.he various beliefs and differing ele-
nents; but with malice toward none, and
with charity toward all, with firmness in
,he right, as God gives us to see the right,
eft us move 10 the work that is before us. ("
Ex-Governor Browns remarks were
'eceived with tremendous applause.
The cue of the labor question, which the
* Governor made the feature of his re-
marks, was taken up by Plummer of Iowa,
rhurston of Nebraska, and other
peakers.