The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-25


long devotion to the cause Of free silver
coinage. Years ago, mt the inception OF
the movement. i. as vice president OF the
national executive committee OF the sill
YER convention. in connection with A. }.
Warner. the president OF the committee,
Travelled through the south and west
preaching the doctrine OF bimetallism,
and have never since had occasion to
change my views with respect TO the
great benefits that might result TO this
Nation from the complete restoration OF
silver az a money metal; and yet there
are other circumstances quite as iniiuen-
tial which must be potent in determn-
inc my future action, and the future ac-
tions OF many Republicans in this
matter.
"This morning a friend, who Is mem
Der OF this convention, and who now
honors me with his audience, said TO
me: Mr.. Fitch, you have always been
pronounced avocate OF the free coinage
OF silver; what will you do II the st.
LOUIS tpuNthNiOh ahoph ~ p''"N "a $500
platform iavoring single gold standard
and denouncing the free coinage OF
silver?' did not answer this question
then, but with your permission | will do
80 now.
81 belong TO the Republican party
because its history is the history oil the
growth, the greatness, and the freedom
OF this Nation; because its purposes are
patriotic; because il is the friend OF
labor without being the foe OF thrift ;
because IL is wise, because 1t is just,
because it's restoration 20 complete
power will rekindle the furnace and
start the turbines, and fill the land with
the music OF contcnted and well-paid
toll, and put bread into mems mouths
and hope into their hearts.
81 belong to the Republican party be-
cause it is the grandest political organ
ization OF freemen that the world has
ever known; because under its wise guild
ance, star after star has been added Go
our flag, ship after ship has been added
to our fleets, factory after factory has
been added to our resources, millions
upon millions 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 illuminated the night,
and the grand diapason of labor has
been made TO sound throughout the con
| tinent.
81 belong to the Republican party be-
cause under its inspiration these United
States, once Il wrangling and discordant
commonwealth these United States,
once shamed with slavery and decrcpit
with the disease of secession-these
United States have become n country
where no slaves presence dishonors
labor, where no irecman's uttcrances are
choked by 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 re-
spected and where labor is protected.
"Under the patriotic rule OF the Re-
publican party these United States have
become Nation whose credit reigns at
the head OF the worlds finances--whose
flag floats proudly upon every sen, and
whose armies would come nc the drum
beat out OF the hives 81 industry TO
swarm In defense OF the country on
every shore.
Under the rule OF the Republican
party these United States have become
the greatest, ireest, and most prosper
GUS Nation under the light OF the sun
81 belong TO the Republican party be-
cause il gave land To the landless, be-
cause il gave work TO the Industrious,
because IL gave freedom TO the slave,
because, when the Nation was in peril, il
gave armies and treasure for her preser-
walton.
Forty years ago, then u lad OF
eighteen. joined the Republican ranks,
and, too young To vote, flung my blaz-
ing banner aloft for Fremont and Jessie.
| was present as newspaper reporter
at the Chicago convention in 1860,
when all Illinois shouted Abraham
Lincoln into the presidency. heard
the sony OF John Browns soul sung in
batcd breath and in secret gatherings OF
his sympathizers, and four years later
on these distant shores almost caught
the echo OF it's refrain when armies
chanted IL for their battle anthem.
enjoyed the eloquencc and friendship OF
Baker and OF Starr King, and Butler
and Bingham, and Garfield and Conkling,
and that noblest Roman Of them all,
James q. Blaine.
"WHO. THEN, is THERE IN ALL
THIS LAND THAT SHALL DARE