The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-10-30
SPEEUH OF GOV. McLAURIN

AtC lNbDlO vi ee'
Gulf Coast generally were highly
privileged last Monday through an
opportunity Of hearing our distin-
guished Governor, Hon. A. J. McLau-
rim, on the political issues OF the day.
He had g~raciously accepted an invita-
ton from the Bryan and Sewall club,
and at high noon commenced his ad-
dress.
The spacious courtroom was crowd.
ed to repletion, even standing room
being at a premium. Throughout the
argument, lasting nearly two hours,
the orator received the rapt atten-
ton his hearers, only interrupted by
by enthusiastic and prolonged ap-
plause at frequent intervals. A few
Of the local boilers were present, and
the polite, though effective manner in
which His Excellency peeled their
skin ard exposed the ''dccoy plat
FORM" was a caution.
Although scarce recovered from a
brief but severe illness, the Governor
was in good form as to physique and
voice, and his speech was an effective
and ~scathing rebuke Of the admins.
tration policies that had wrought
such havoc to the country. The his
tory Of true Democracy, and an expo
sition Of it's principles was followed
by a presentation OF facts showing the
contrast between the genuine article
and the bogus Indianapolis product.
The action OF those misguided (for.
mer) Democrats in deserving their
posts at the call of self-interest, was
deplorcd and vigorously deprecated,
Their repentance was sure to follow,
though only after incalculable injury
had been inflicted upon the nation.
Quite a portion OF the speech was
devoted to the task Of explaining the
theory and practice of finance, and
comparing the monetary systems Of
the different countries. 1t was easily
shown by incontrOvertiblc facts and
figures that the amount Of gold in
circulation was pitifully small and in
adequate to the demands of commerce.
The Capitalization OF wealth and the
legislation rendering it possible were
roundly denounced, and the rc-estab-
lishment OF i double-standard proven
to be the only remedy. The business
depression, scarcity OF money, low
wages and all their attendant evils
now prevailing in Germany IA gold
standard country was all commented
upon. The record Of every prominent
goldbug convert in the country was
taken up, and in each instance self.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT proves to be the mo
tive for change OF heart. Much mer.
riment was provoked by a request
from the speaker that a gold dollar
be handed him BY some one in the au.
dlence. After several appeals, al
with no response, the incident was
used to point a moral. The fact that
in that large throng, not n "stan
dard" dollar was to be found, was
deeply significant. Under the circum
stances the speaker deemed it higf
time that some measures be adopted
permitting a plain citizen to handle 6
gold standard coin.
The income tax, and the causes
bringing about it's defeat, were mi
nutcly explained. The justice of thai
measure was c~0nvincingly proven, ant
the money power thatconspired to It's
defeat, cxcoriated for their greed ant
want OF patriotism. The d~eplorablt
condition of the laboring classes ant
the increasing depression Of bushes!
throughout the country were dilatet
upon, traced to their true source, ant
the only available remedy restotatior
OF silver recommended.
That fact that Mckinley, If elected
proposed following in the financial
footsteps of Cleveland, was, the speak
er explained, ample cause for thu
formers reputation. The financial
policy, and even the fate Of the va
rious European nations would proba
bly, be shaped by this country's deci
sion on November Sd. As the eyes O
the world are upon us, and posterity's
veal or woe in our hands, a glOriou!
opportunity is afforded this land O.
freedom to assert its manhood. Al
eloquent tribute was paid to VIM. j
Bryan, whom the Governor regarded
as a special messenger of Providence
to save this country from its present
danger.
The distinguished speaker at thu
close OF his address, was vociferously
applauded, and the belief general,
expressed that his effort would result
in addition to the great triumph that
this State holds in store for Bryan ant
free silver.
Below we reproduce the Governors
speech in part:
II made no preparation for this
speech, but come simply to addres.
you in a conversational way, as a plair
Mlssissippian, and as an American
citizen. The election next week |!
for a President and Vice-Presi dent
and for members OF the House OF Rep
resentatives. In some States it is 70,
United States Senators also, but ir
Mississippi it is only for President
and ce-PreSident and for members
of the House OF Representatives. II
is important, as then the people are
not only to adopt a national policy fol
the next four years, but perhaps fol
the next quarter Of a century.
1.-THE right to vote Is not only
privilege. but carries with It a duty