The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-23
POPULIST CONVENTION.
The Peoples Party Representatives
Assemble...NO Light Is Shed Upon
the Evening Sessions.

ST. LOUIS. July 22.-Chalrman 1auDe-
neck called the national Populist con-
vention to order at 1920. After prayer
by Rev. w. r. l.. Smith, of the Third
Baptist church of ST. Louis. Governor
William J. Stone, of Missouri, delivered
an address of welcome. He said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Convention: ! come to extend "A genu-
Inc and hearty welcome to the hospitali
ties of the state to which l have the
honor to be the executive officer. Free
dom of opinion, of religion. political and
social. and all othe. situations. free
dom of action 50 long as the exercise
of that freedom does not disturb public
order or trench on the just rights of
Others. are cardinal principles in our
great governmental system CAP
plause).
In this state We seek to give to that
basic idea its best possible expression.
We differ as to methods, and we diffe.'
often as to policies and principles. but
II Is to be devoutly hoped that all of us
ale actuated by love OF country and by
motives of the greatest patriotism. CAP
plause). You are met. gentlemen, In a
crucial period (aS | esteem it, not only
of party history. but OF national his
tory. 1t would be unbecoming OF me to
make any suggestion whatever as to the
duty of this convention. | can, how
ever. without impropriety. say that |
hope that every gentleman occupying q
seat in this great body will perform
the important and responsible duty i'm
posed upon him with an eye single to
the public good. to the development Of
our country and to the promotion of the
felicity of our people and the glory of
the republic"
Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, of Mime
sofa, responded to Governor stones ad-
dress of WELCOME. The selection of the
center uf this great valley for the con-
vention of the Peoples party, he said,
was particularly appropriate, because
this movement was an outgrowth from
the agricultural and laboring people Of
this country. 1t began at million fire
sides, where the farmer in silence of
his home studied out for himself the
causes Of the Affections he endured and
united to find remedy Our city
friends, he continued. for a time regard
ed it as movement hostile to them
selves. They never could be convinced
otherwise. 1t is at last dawning even
upon the minds of our far eastern cities
that in asserting to the evil conditions
that now surround us. they have de-
stroyed their own prosperity. tCheers).
While reaching out for foreign markets
where they must encounter the hos
tility Of the whole world. they have per-
mitted their own natural market of
which they had the monopoly. to fall
into poverty and wretchedness. and
they today in sack k..lnfh hos
feeling the result of that mistaken pol
icy. loud cheers).
AN APPEAL FOR UNITY.
Mr.. Donnelly closed by making an
eloquent appeal for unity. Il stood. he
said. at the cradle of the old Greenback
party. (Cheers). l stood at the cradle
OF the Peoples party. God forbid |
shou!l lie here today to attend its fu-
neral. Stand together. friends. Lift
up your hearts to the majesty and the
dignity Of the duties laid upon your
shoulders. Mr.. Donnelly said the men
OF Valley Forge had no more sublime
! and tremendous duty than We have to-
day No man, however great. Is worth
scintilla against the interests Of this
great party.
The chairman asked such members of
the executive committees as were in
the body of the hall to step up to the
platform. Among those who thus ad-
vanced was Mrs. Mary Ellen Lease,
who was warmly cheered. Chairman
Taubeneck introduced as temporary
chairman of the convention, Senator
Marion Butler, eff North Carolina, who
was received with three cheers, which
he characterized as "a cyclone of pa
triotism' All history taught, he said,
that history showed that there always
came crises in the affairs of men when
humanity was raised to u higher level,
accordingly as the men on whose
shoulders the responsibility rested were
able to meet the crises with wisdom
and patriotism tcheerS). and to solve ii
to the betterment of humanity. two
political parties. he said. had held ma :
tional conventions this year. had adopt
ed platforms, and had put forward
their leaders. and now another good
political party, young but growing
giant in strength. had assembled to
speak to the American people In this
critical and important hour (cheers).
The Poculists were here because there
was need of them to be here The
parties that had had charge of the
government since the war had succeed
ed in bringing the nation to the verge
of bankruptcy and ruin. and had neces-
| STATED the existence of the Populist