Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-02

hgTteslNc huuIcsn Nv thc topuuiie"i
State League meeting when Hon. j.
r. Burton Of Abilene took the ros-
trum. 1t was received by the
League with much more enthusiasm
than that Of any other speaker. The
enthusiastic applause with which the
vast audience received him showed
the universal admiration in which he
is held by the Republicans Of Kansas.
The unmistakable evidences Of ap-
proval Of bis remarks from start to
finish demonstrated clearly that he
more nearly touched the popular
cord in Kansas politics than did any
other speaker Of the day.
But Mr.. Burton's prominence in
Kansas politics has become such that
his political enemies are watching
every speech he makes with the
view Of finding something to crlticise.
And II they cannot find anything that
is deserving criticism they propose to
conjure up a straw man and then
proceed to knock ii down. Demo-
cratic journals and few Others who
sail about in Republican clothes are
attempting to create a feeling
against Mr.. Burton In certain
quarters on account OF q statement
made in his speech, which at the
time was approved by the most gen
erous applause by the entire League.
Among other things Mr.. Burton
said:
"This Democratic administra-
ton has not lost a single OPP
to blunder. 1t found
the government all right and has
done It's best to bust 1t, That Is not
the fault Of the party; it never did
know how to do business In this
country. The most prosperous per-
iod OF American history has been un-
der Republican government The
Republican party was the first to give
the country a national currency.
From Washington's day until 1870
there was never q time that the
country did not have currency Of
varying values. The Republicans
have learned that America must act
Independently. II we sit in the
game OF nations | guess we'll only
have one voice in saying what sort Of
chips well use, but we will have one
voice and that will be the most po-
tential at the table. Republicanism
gave the country sound national
currency so that there could be no
gambling in money.
"The Republicans protected Amer
lean labor. On these two corner
stones was woven fabric that has
astonished the world.
"Our country has so developed
that the volume Of money must be
increased. Its last declaration was
in favor Of using both gold and silver.
The silver problem that must come
up in 1896 for discussion will be
,hampioned by the Republican party
llong the line Of free coinage Of silver
.long with gold. We will never take
. step that will place us where we
we're before 1870, namely, that one
lollar will have a different value from
"Questions like this must grow
md develop gradually. They can
not be settled ut once. But there is
,ne stand that the American people
IAN not take. 1t can not say that
John Bull shall be the pawnbroker
'or the American people.
believing as | do that the Repub-
lean party must solve this problem
say that we must look at itnot from
he point Of passion but from one Of
Intelligence. Let it then be known
hat whatever is done the Republi-
IAN party must do it.
"There are various suggestions as
10 what brought on the hard times
out we have year to meet this ques-
,ion.n
Then in his appeal to the young
men Of the State to be prepared to act
ntelligently on the silver question in
S96, he said;
young menl You aspire to be the
eaders Of political thought and action
II your respective localities. You
ire candidates for public recognition
n the communities in which you live.
Many Of you are and will be aspirants
or political position and preferment,
md that is your right; for he who
honestly seeks office and aspires to
faithfully in public posi-
ion all that our flag stands for in
government, is animated by the
highest feeling that can inspire the
)reast Of man.
II have no sympathy with that re-
'ent demagogical cry that the office
'hould seek the man and not man the
,ilice.
"Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and Har-
'ison each sought the office. Aye,
very great statesman from Washing
on to Harrison has aspired to public
position, has sought the office. On
he other hand when the Office seeks
he man it usually finds chump."
The insinuation that Mr.. Burton
ad in mind the Hon. Lucien Baker
Ghen he uttered the closing phrase is
o ridiculous, when the facts and cir
umstances OF the situation are taken
nto account, as hardly to merit a |
assing notice. In the first place Mr.
'aker does not come in the class Of