The herald., 1895-06-20

When the league convened there were
2oee delegates in the auditorium. and the
galleries were filled with visitors. After
prayer by Rev. s. l.. Darsie. Secretary
Humphrey read the call, and addresses Of
welcome were made by Mayor McKisson
and President D. d. Woodmarsee of the
ONO League OF Republican clubs. Presi-
dent Tracy OF Chicago then delivered his
annual address as follows
Tracy's Address
Ladies and Gentlemen 1t is my duty
and pleasure to now formally declare
opened the eighth annual convention of
the Republican National league. Our last
camp fires we're laid upon the slopes Of
the Rocky mountains, In the heart OF that
vast western empire, which, with its
newer civilization ana youthful vigor,
gives to the nation new blood, new life
and energy. From the noble peaks Of
these grand mountains and from the ex-
hilerating atmosphere OF those beautiful
valleys We drew new inspirations, new
thoughts, and came forth from that con-
vention well equipped for the campaign
which was then before us.
l congratulate YOU as members of the
Republican clubs of the United States,
the positive and active force Of that cam
paign, upon the great and overwhelming
victory gained by our party. Rarely in
our political history has party elected
its candidates by such great pluralities.
In congratulating ourselves upon the
work of party organization, we must
keep well in MIND the fact that an infu
ence far more potent than party organ
ization had been at work among the
voters. Never before had the leaders of
the great party demonstrated such abso-
lutte incapacity for administering affairs
of government as had the Democratic
leaders for two years previous to that
election. 1t was but a natural result that
the people, disguised with Democratic
craftsmanship, should grasp the opportu-
nifty to administer a lasting 1ebuke to
that party. The election OF last Novem Der
sounded 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 industry and
American LABOR. IL was bugle note which
awakened the sleeping industries and
brought new lite into the business world.
1t caused the fires OF the American FUR
naces to again awaken to an American
demand; it has put the wheels of COM
merce in motion, and the glad hum of in
dustry must soon resound in the land. En-
terprise revivfied is extending her arms
of iron into new fields, into UNEMPLOYED
territory, never to cease until old mother
earth shall have been made to give up her
hidden treasures in the tarthermost
when the business world has thrown off
it's shackles, when the pent.up power and
force OF three long years Is
forming the current which will
bring prosperity and happiness
to all the people. it is most fitting that
we should join here in general reloic-
ing over the possibilities OF the future.
We should re- dice that we are young ana
have presented to us all great oppor-
tunities of good times to come. we should
rejoice that we are Americans, youths of
the. youngest nation in shistory. and re.
ioice that we are members OF the greatest
political party of the age, party which
from the first has represented in its mem
bership the intelligence, patriotism and
higher am billions Of the republic. Thus
it is with qulckened steps and royal
hearts in harmony with the times we
come together as representatives OF the
Republican National league in this great
heart of Repu blicanisnl, this beautiful
city of Cleveland, to express our I'M
bounded confidence in the integrity OF
the Republican party and renew our tealty
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 organiza-
tion we gather here today to consider
how, as Intelligent and patriotic citizens
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 de-
monstrates it's value to the party. Well
may the Republican party be proud OF
this organization, for it is largely through
its labors that the young men OF this
country have been enlisted in its ranks.
The founding OF great league by two
thousand young men who gathered in
Chicke ring hall in New York City in De-
cember, 1887. marked out new path in
the political field. opening up as it did
for the young men and the first voters
new avenues for practical political work.
As result it has given political educa-
ton to the thousands OF young men who
otherwise would have had little interest
in political affairs. To these whose ideas
have been somewhat removed from
practical politics it has given an oppor-
tunity for individual effcrt. 1t has made
out of the political dreamer practical
idealist who is destined to be most BEN
eticial factor in the future 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 every campaign. Our
deliberations are listened to with the ut
most consideration and evince the fact
that the future OF the league is a power
for good in the Republican party is as
sured. No political party can exist long
in any country which does not appeal in
every way to the young men of the coun-
try. The enthusiasm or warm patriotism
but the hustling, practical young man
demands that the party to which he allies
his fortunes shall be party OF the pres
ent, face squarely to the front and fear
not to take up and consider any and all
of the complex questions which confront
us from time to time. Therein lies the
value of these conventions. Here we can,
as representatives OF the various portions
OF our vast country, pass few days in
calm and judicious consideration OF the
questions which are near the hearts of
the people. The discussion may be free
and untrammelled. Every individual
delegate has the opportunity to express
his opinion on the questions before us.
Thus these conventions become the clear
ing house of the party open to repres ,h-
tation to new thoughts, new ideas, and
to a broader consideration of the old
ones. The conventions OF the Republican
League clubs have always received the
hearty endorsement of the party in the
past because they have avoided taking
| any position which would in any way be
an anticipation of the Republican ma
tional convention. As auxiliary to that
convention, it can in no way bind the
future action of the party. We are salts
fed that the regular national convention
of the party will have the heart, brain
and conscience to take up all national
questions and decide them wisely and
Justly. 1t is our work to elecr-not Sc
lect-canddates. and promote-not pro-
gate-platforms. Party platforms
and party candidates must have the APP