, 1896-10-05

have sat down and thought carefully
and ~prayerfully over the conditions as
they really exist; after they reflect on
the comforts that have gone from them,
after they reflect on the fact that the
necessary changes cannot be acquired
under present conditions. l am entire
ly Of different opinion than is a GER
tain candidate for the presidency of
this United States, who, in a speech at
the city Of Erie a few days ago, said
that men are not going to look to their
brains to find a reason for their ballots
this year. l believe that Of all years,
since we have been a government, this
is the year when the American people
will look to their reason.
Ladies and gentlemen, l am a repub-
lican because l believe republican poll
cies and republican principles are the
ones which will work to the greatest
advantage and good of America. l am
selfish in my political thought. l want
u system of political action that will
work for my personal advantage, and
for the advantage of my country. That
is indeed a grand and noble spirit of
charity that would seek to elevate
mankind the world over; hat would
seek to see that the hungry of every
land were fully satisfied; hat would
see that suffering humanity the world
v were better fed and better clad
than they are today. With that SUBJ
lime spirit that would seek t raise all
mankind, l trust I am in full accord.
And yet, I know OF no principle of hon.
est, patriotic action; l know Of no duty
| owe to myself. my neighbor, or my
God, that would compel me to see that
the fires in the factories in Japan and
China were lighted. while the smoke
less chimneys of my W land were
mute witnesses of idle labor, and suf-
fering women, and hungry children.
loud %applause.) know of no Chris
tian charity that compels me to kindle
the fires on the hearths of dear old Eng
land hereslf, while the hearths of Amer
lea remain cold and desolate. CAP
piause.) No; l believe in a policy that
strives first for the children Of u W
households; that provides work first
for American workmen, clothes for
American wives and food for American
children; and after that is accomplish
ed, perchance we will have time and
opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of
ministering to the necessities of other
lands.
Now ladies and gentlemen, there
are some matters which, as l say, re-
quire consideration. The differences
between the great political parties of
this nation today. are no wider than
they have been in some times past, and
yet they are as far apart as parties ever
have been. These differences are ell
tered in the platforms of the parties,
and to them ! ask your attention and
consideration for only a short three
quarters of an hour. or an hour.
The first difference is upon the mon
ey proposition. The democratic party,
and the populistic party in II nation,
declared for the free, the unlimited, the
Independent coinage Of silver, without
relation to existing commercial condi-
tons, without relation to existing trade
conditions. and without respect to any
proposition looking to the keeping Of
the different kinds of money on an
equality. The democratic party still
stand" upon its old policy If a revenue
tariff as opposed to the republican pol
icy of protection. They declare for the
al authority. They declare against the
merit system in our civil service, and
they declare for the reorganization CT
the highest. most honest judicial tri-
bunal on the face of the earth. To all
of these propositions the republican
party says mol"
The silver proposition is one which
| we have all considered. I do not care
tonight to speak Of It from a personal
point Of view. I have been criticised In
many parts Of this state because I
wouldn't accept the prevailing silver
VIEWS Of certain members Of the demo-
cratic party. l have been criticised
forsooth. because l have chosen to re-
main where l have always been, and
where please God 1 always will be. in
the ranks OF that party which stande