Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-09-02


ty of diction, deserves preservation
His reasons why he should remain il
the Republican party are unanswera
bic, and should be read by all Republic
cans The reading will In no way
dwarf their enthusiasm for the grand
old party. The fun text of Mr.. Fitch's
speech is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Conventions: |
thought that the SeclL sion that the up
per gallery grants, combined with 9TH
er circumstances, would exempt me
from any invitation to speak before
this convention; but your repeated calls
leave me no alternative consistent with
courtesy but to answer them.
1.-The speakers vino have addressed
you have spoken of the free coinage of
silver as a cardinal principle of the
Republican party. | fear that the ST.
Louis convention may compel us to re-
trace some of our steps in this matter;
and, as the statesmen who control this
convention have not included me among
those deeEcd most tit to represent Ar
iona at st. Louis, feel quite at liber-
ty to tell the truth
Il suppose no one will question my
long devotion to the cause of free sill
ton of the movement l, as vice presi-
dent of the national executive commit
tee of the silver convention, in connec-
ton with A. ]. Warner, the president
OF the committee. travelled through the
South and West, preaching the doc
brine of bimetallism and | never since
rad occasion to change my views with
respect to the great benefits that might
tn + no ton
restoration of silver as money-metal;
and yet there are other circumstances
quite as influential which must be DO.
tent in determining my future action,
and the future action of many Repub-
hcans in this matter.
This morning friend, who is a
member OF this convention, and who
1OW honOrS me with his audience. said
10 me: Mr.. Fitch, you have always
been pronounced advocate of the free
coinage of silver; what will you do if
the st. Louis convention adopts plank
Nh their platform favOring single gold
standard and denouncing the free coin
age OF silverT l did not answer this
question then, but, with your permits
gFon, will do so now.
L belong to the Republican party be-
cause its history is the history of the
growth, the greatness and the freedom
of this nation; because it's purposes are
patriotic; because it is the friend of la
Dor without being the foe of thrift; be-
cause it is wise; because it is just; be-
cause its restoration to complete pow
er will rekindle the furnace and start |
the turbine, and will fill the land with |
the music of contented and well paid |
toll and put bread into mems mouths |
ana hope into their hearts.
Il belong to the Republican party be-
fause it is the grandest political organ
tzata0n OF free men that the world has
ever Known; because, under it's wise
guidance, star after star has been add
eT 10 our nag, ship after ship has been
added to our fleets, factory after fac
tory has been added to our resources.
millions upon millions have been added
TO our wealth, city after city has been
1eVelOped from our villages, and the
land has been laced with a network of
ron rails, and furnace fires have illu-
l1Ggfllted the night, and the grand dia-
Jason of labor has been made 70 sound
throughout the continent.
Il belong to the Republican party be-
rause, under it's inspiration, these
United States, once a wrangling and
fiscOrdant commonwealth these
United States, once shamed with slav-
cry and decrepit with the disease Of
ecessfOn-thesa United States have be-
come a slave, where no slaves pres
snce diShonorS labor; where no free
mans utterances are choked with the
hand of power; where no man doffs his
hat to another except through the
courtesy of equals; where education is
free; where manhood is respected and
Ehere labor is protected.
Under the patriotic rule of the Re
publican party these United States
have become nation whose credit
stands at the head of the worlds finan-
res, whose flag floats proudly on every
sea, and whose armies would come at
the drum-beat out of the hives of in
fustry to swarm in defense of the
country on every side
Under the rule of the Republican
party these United States have become
The greatest, freest and most prosper
BUS nation under the light of the sun.
Il belong to the Republican party be-
tause it gave land to the landless; be-
1duSe it gave work to the Industrious;
1ecause it gave freedom to the slave;
Deca use, when the nation was in peril,
4 gave armies and treasure for her
Forty years ago, when a lad of
eighteen, l joined the Republican
-anks; and, too young to vote, flung
my blazing banner aloft for Fremont
md Jessie. / was present as a news
,aper reporter. at the Cricago conven-
ion in 1860, when all Illinois shouted
Abraham Lincoln into the presidency.
heard the song of John Browns soul
sung in bated breath and in secret
gatherings of his sympathizers, and,
Jour years later, on these distant
.hores, almost caught the echo of it's
refrain when armies chanted it for
heir battle anthem. enjoyed the ell
,quence and friendship of Baker and
# Starr King, and Butler, and Bing-
iam, and Garfield, and Conkling, and,
hat noblest Roman of them all, James
:. Blaine r
WHO, THEN, is THERE, IN ALL
THIS LAND THAT SHALL DARE
70 ASK Me TO BETRAY THESE
BECAUSE OF A DIFF
FERENCE OF OPINION CONCERN
Nc THE CONDITIONS UNDER
WHICH SILVER DOLLARS SHALL
- -. - ss.SI N!1sLza