The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-09-02


brother. and had sundered the tenderest ties
OF love. WV
Senator Hill, watching the strange pro-
ceedings, had to extend that brief practical
code from whence he had gained 40 much
renown. He felt compelled to say am a
democrat, but / am not a revoiutionist. )
Senator Vest, realizing that they were inau-
gurating revolution, reminded the con-
vention that revolutions did not begin with
the rich and prosperous. Mr.. Tillman felt
that the change in the management of pub.
lie affairs was to be so radical that he pro-
posed sulphur fumigation for the ship be-
lore the new crew took possession OF it.
Now, my friends, all these things indi-
cate the temper in which that platform was
adopted and the spirit that prompted the
NOMINATIONS that were made. There was
no calm elaboration. There was frenzy.
Not amid such surroundings as that not
under such influences, are those calm, dis.
Greet things done that will commend them
selves to the judgment of the American
people.
They denounce in their platform inter-
terence by federal authorities in local af-
ia1rs as violation OF the constitution of
the United States and a crime against free
institutions. Mr.. Tilrnan in his speech an.
proved this declaration. 1t was intended
to be in words direct condemnation of
Mr.. Cleveland, as president of the United
States, for using the power Of the executive
10 brush out OF the way every obstacle to
the free passage of the mail trains of the
United States and the interstate com
merce.
And, my friends, whenever our people
approve the choice OF a president who be.
lieves he must ask Governor Altgeld or any
other governor of any other state permits.
sion to enforce the laws of the United States
we have surrendered the victory the boys
won in 1861
But this assault does not end there,
The supreme court of the United States
and the federal lower courts are arraipned
because they used the familiar writ OF in
junction to suppress violence, to restrain
men from breaking the law, and that plat
form plainly means-I will show you that it
was 80 understood in the convention and in
the committee on resolutions-that the dem
ocratic policy was that when the supreme
court, exercising It's constitutional power
and duty, gave an Interpretation to a law of
the United States that was not pleasing to
congress they would increase the number
OF judges and pack the court to get de.
cision to please them.
Mr.. Hill said in his speech of this as.
sault upon the court, That provision, il it
means anything, means that it il the duty
of congress to reconstruct the supreme
court OF the country. 1t means and now
note his words" and 1t was openIv avowed
that it means the adding of additional mem
Ders 10 IL or the turning out of office and re-
COhooiu ObiuB Juo WuOl6 court. L Will not
follow any such revolutionary step as that
You are to answer, then, my fellow
cltizens, in all the gravity of great crisis,
whether you will sustain party that pro.
poses to destroy the balance which our
fathers instituted in our system of govern
m3ent, and whenever tumultuous congress
dlsagrees with the supreme court and a sub
servient president is in the White House,
that the judgment of the court shall be re-.
considered and reversed by increasing the
number of judges and packing the court
Win men who will decide as congress wants
them TO- l cannot exaggerate the gravity
ana tne Importance and the danger of this
assault upon our constitutional form of gov
eminent.
Whatever the question is, whether Mr..
Bryan's view or Mr.. Tillman's view of the
constitutional question shall prevail, or that
OF the august tribunal appointed by the
constitution to settle it, the courts are the
defense OF the weak. The rich and power
tul have other resources, but the poor have
not. The Judiciary that will hew to the
line on questions between wealth and la
DOT, between the rich and poor, is the de-
fence and security of the defenceless.
Il do not intend to spend any time in
the discussion OF the tariff question. That
debate has been won and need not be pro-
tracted. We needed an experience of our
own and we have had it. 1t has been
nara lesson, but very convincing one, and
was given"
These are words of wisdom. The
national canvass will not end in Yer
mont with the election of yesterday.
The discussion will 60 on and the vot-
ers of Vermont will have an opportu-
nifty in November to express their judg-
ment, unprejudiced by local issues and
Whatever the republi-
can majority yesterday, it should be
doubled on the first Tuesday in No
vember. The democracy of Vermont,
or any other state, wincing under the
of democrats az an
archists and revolutionists, have no
avenue of escape from the scathing ar
raignment of General Harrison. The
ex-president does not slight the cur
rency issue, but discusses that ques-
ton and the tariff with clearness,
freshness and vigor that win attention
and enforce conviction.