The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-08-13


ment shall lean upon the bankers OF
New YORK and Iondon the other rhat
ar soor.,,.-,, :, ,ho ,rs,,,,,-,, .hat,
-, -. -, -,
s'a"u .'se'' 0N''''"'"' GU 'Sa4 '"u
assert ms power 70 Proteot Vhe rls"S
OF the people and honors OF the nation;
one proposes to continue the policy OF
issuing bonds, the otler TO stop IL, one
declares for a European alliance. the
other Is a declaration for American in
dependence. Upon these all-lmpon,ant
questions issue Is joined against the
two great political parties OF the re-
public. Certainly there are other things
of moment In which the people feel
profound concern. but of all questions
In the currerh political affairs Of this
day and generation, the financial ques-
ton arises To such supreme importance
that all other projects are practically
excluded from present consideration.
The Chicago convention declared in
so many words that, until this great,
paramount issue was definitely settled
and settled right, the consideration OF
all other questions upon which the peo-
pie are seriously divided should be
postponed. or at least not pressed upon
public or legislative attention. Around
this one supreme issue the great battle
Of 1896 is to he fought. For the first
time II has been fairly presented, with
out evasion or disguise Both parties
have taken positions boldly. Both are
confident and defiant. Between them
the American people are the arbItrators
and as suClh they are now to pass judg-
ment upon the most important ques-
ton presented to them since the storm
or the civil war wrecked happy homes
and LEFT It's bloody trail upon the land
They are to pass Judgment upon a
question which I profoundly believe af-
fects, as no other question can. not
only the present lhappiness and pros
perity OF the people. but the felicity Of
their children. the perpetuities OF
American institutions and the wen-be-
ing Of all mankind.
"Mr. Chairman. In all the great move
ments. in all concerted efforts. when
well directed. there must be leadership
A leader should be representative Of
the cause CIe champions. He should be
more than that-he should be In all es-
sential qualities and In the highest de-
gree typical of those who invest him
with the dignity and responsibility OF
/ leadership The Chicago platform has
been denounced as undemocratic and
the delegates comprising the conven-
ton have been stigmatized as anar-
chis'ts and socialists. We have heard
much OF this from certain classes OF In
divlduals On Saturday last, In my own
state. an ex-democratic ex-sllpreme
court Judge characterized the Chicago
\ convention platform as "A bundle Of
popullstic notions. saturated brimful
with socialism and anarchy and at
the same time an ex-democratic corpo-
ration attorney of some distinction de-
clared that American citizenship meant
government. not by the unthlnklng, un-
needing masses, but by the elements
which are guided by Judgment and
reason Unthinking. unheeding mass
es' IL very good. The elements which
are guided by Judgment and reason Is
extra good. It Ia at least a slight mod
ifcation OF Vanderbilt's arrogant
anathema, damn the people and for
4 this small ooncession we ought no
doubt TO be duly grateful.
WHO composed the Chicago conyen-
tion? From the state In which reside
the gentleman whom I have quoted the
delegation sent to that convention was
composed OF farmers, lawyers, doctors,
editors. merchants, manufacturers and
several of the most conspicuously sue
cessful business men In the Missouri
valley. Among them also were eminent
judges of high courts, senators of the
United States, representatives In con-
gress and the treasurer and governor
of the state. That delerNtIon was
chosen by one Of the greatest conyen-
tons ever assembled in that state. rem
resenting all classes of Hhe very best
people Of the commonwealth. Wha,
was true Of Missouri was equally true
of all THE states. II these men could
not speak for the democratic party
who could? II these men do not under.
stand democracy, who are its expon.
ents But these are the men who are
ridiouled an an unthinking. unheedina
mob who cannot be trusted in the con.
duct of public AFFAIRS. and these are
the men who must give way TO English
toadies and the pampered minions on
corporate rapacity. who arrogate tr
themselves all the virtues and wisdom
of the world. The man who holds ur
TO opprobrium such men as constituted
the Chicago convention. who denounces
them as cranks. anarchists or social.
lists. or who In any respect impugns
their intelligence or patriotism. doe.
himself most rank Injustice. II he be
not knave, a slanderer or a fool. Tha
convention did indeed represent ths
masses of the people-the great indus.
trial and producing masses Of the peo.
pie. II represented the men who plougt
and plant who fatten herds. who tot