The Portland daily press., 1896-11-10

upon q platform absolutely nntaRonistio
to the true principles of free government
and arrayed itself against the oonstitu-
tion of our land.
Democrats In every section following
the example Of our illustrious and dis
tinGuisheo Citizen. James W. Bradbury.
who refused to follow the platform, by
their votes, have helped to win this
victory, and are entitled to a share in It's
fruits. Let us not refuse upon every oc-
casion TO give them the credit and the
honor which ID their due.
My friends we are too near to this great
contest which has just been settled, to
all that it means for the welfare and the
future of this country. 1t was Milton
who SO truthfully exclaimed:
"Peace hath its victories no less re-
nowned than war"
do not believe that war ever brought
to this country a victory fraught with
more benefit to the country than will
come from the the peaceful victory OBJ
tained by the ballot on Tuesday last.
The Revolutionary war was struggle
for our Independence and for the forma :
tion OF a government on this continent.
The war Of 1912 was a conflict which
esta blished our rights upon the high seas
and made the deck of an American vessel
the soil of our lands.
The war with Mexico was war for
conquest. a war for territorial acquisi-
tion.
The war of 1861-65 was a war to pre-
serve and maintain this Union, but this
peaceful conflict was war to sustain the
honor and integrity of this government
and to preserve free governments.
If it had failed, the government "ot
<I0 Fo- no Nd txxf !,
people" would have perished from the
faoe of the earth. ] am not using the
language of extravagance in this deolara-
tion. II the war OF 1861-65 had resulted
in the triumph OF the South, 1t would
have meant two governments on the con-
tinent.
They both might have been main
tanned, but If the people had failed on
Tuesday last and the inciples of the
Chicago convention had triumphed, il
| would have meant the degradation of our
national honor. 1t would have meant
the absolute destruction of free govern
ment.
The question of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver with all Its attending
| triumph would have meant. That con-
vention struck at the very root of free
| government. 1t declared against the
right of the courts of our land to inquire
! into and prevent wrongs by the great
equity principle of Injunction.
| 1t declared that the President of the
United States, representing the people of
the United States had no right or
| authority to quell mobs or riots, or to
prevent lawlessness in any state unless
so requested by the executive of the state
| in which the lawlessness existed. The
| doctrines Of that convention in short,
were, as our distinau auished citizen, Mr..
Brad dbury, declared, not only revolu-
tionary, they we're revolution.
because the great body of the people In
| this country desire to do right, and hate
| to do wrong. They only mad to be edu-
| GATED and have the issues plainly pre-
sented to them to settle forever these
great questions and to settle them upon
the side of honor of justice and Of abso-
| lutte right.
to the intelligent. the law-abiding, the
honest citizens of America. who are in
the majority, and will always remain
there. The fruits of this victory are so
great that the imagination cannot con-
template them.
! One thing we know. they will bring to
the people Of this country, peace. the re-
Spect ana commence OF the WorIu. ana
material prosperity. Again our mills and
manufactures will all be started, again
employment will be found for all who
desire to work, and with employment
will come an era Of prosperity such as
has never beon seen and never enjoyed.
My friends we have the right to rejoice
over this victory. 1t means so much. 1t
means 10 much to every human being
1t means above and beyond all that we
have preserved and maintained our own
self respect and law command the respect
ana admiration of the world.
Let US rejoice, and let us rejoice with
exceeding joy-make merry this night
but in all our merriment let us never
forget to give due homage and praise to
the God of nations who guides all our
destinies. thank you one and all, again
and again.
Tho remarks of both speakers were
heartily applaudsa. The procession was
a long one and its route was through
most Of the principal streets of the city.
There was beautiful display of fire.
works all along the way and large
majority of the residences were finely
| illuminated.
mi n