Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-07-23
Tom Fitch Tells why He II . he
publican.

the ST. Louis convention, Tom Fitch,
one Of The most noted free-silver ad-
vocates In the territory, was called
upon to speak, and responded In q
speech which for simple eloQuence
and beauty Of diction deserves pres
ervation. His reasons why he should
remain In the Republican party are
unanswerable, and should be read by
all Republicans. The reading will in
no way dwarf their enthusiasm for
the grand old party. The full text
of Mr.. Fftch's speech is az follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: /
thought that the seclusien that the
upper gallery grants, combined with
other circumstances, would exempt
me from any invitation to speak be-
fore this convention, but your repeat
ed calls leave me no alternative con-
sistent with courtesy but to answer
them.
this morning a friend, who is
member Of this convention, and who
now honors me with his audience,
said to me: "Mr. Fitch, you have al
ways been pronounced advocate OF
the free coinage of silver, what will
vou do ~ the c. TouiS coo.oct;o,~
adopt plank In their platform fav-
oring single gold standard, and de-
nouncing the free coinage OF silver?
| did not answer this question then,
but with your permission will do so
now.
Il belong to the Republican party
because its history is the history of
the growth, the greatness and the
freedom of this nation; because its
purposes are patriotic; because 1t is
the friend of labor without being the
foe of thrift; because it is wise; be-
cause 1t Is just; because its restora-
tion to complete power will rekindle
the furnace and start the turbines,
and oil the land with the music OF
contented and well.paid toll, and put
bread into mems mouths, and hope into
their hearts.
belong to the Republican party
because it Is the grandest political
Organization OF freemen that the
world has ever known; because under
its wise guidance; star after star has
been added to our flag, ship after
ship has been added to our fleets,
factory after factory has been added
to our resources, millions upon mil
lions have been added to our wealth,
city after city has been developed
from our villages. and the land has
been laced with a network of iron
rails, and furnace fires have illumi-
mated the night, and the grand d.
apason OF labor has been made to
sound throughout the continent.
Il belong to the Republican party
because under Its inspirations these
United States, once a wrangling and
discordant commonwealth; these
United States, once shamed with
slavery and decrepit with the disease
OF secession - these United States
have become country where ne
slaves presence dishonors labor
where no freeman's utterances are
choked by the hand of power, where
no man dofIs his hat to another ex
cept through the courtesy OF equals
where education is free, where man
hood Is respected, and where labor i.
protected.
under the patriotic rule OF the
Republican party these United Statei
have become nation whose credi,
reigns at the head of the world.
fnances-whose flag floats proudly
upon every sea, and whose armiel
would come at the drum beat out O
the hives of industry to swarm IL
defense of the country on ever
shore.
"Forty years ago, then a lad OF IS
joined the Republican ranks, and
too young to vote, flung my blazin.
banner aloft for Fremont and Jes ,ie
l was present as newspaper re
porter at the Chicago convention IL
1860, when all Illinois shouted Abra
ham Lincoln into the Presidency.
heard the song OF John Browns sou
sung In bated breath and In secre
gatherings of his sympathizers. ant
four years later on these distan
shores Ialmost caught the echo of IT
refrain when armies chanted It 70
their battle anthem. / enjoyed tn,
eloQuence and friendship of Bake
and of Starr King, and Butler ant
Bingham, and Garfield and Conkling
and that noblest Roman of them all
James G. Blaine.
who then is here, in all this Ian,
that shall dare to ask me to betra,
these memories because of a differenc,
Iof opinion concerning the condition
under which silver dollars shall b,
IcotnedY