The record-union., 1896-08-19

GATE, they would lose their Democratic
character. The issue, stripped of all
verbiage and sophistry, of all section
alism and prejudice, is now as it was
before the nomination of Mr.. Bryan,
one of morals, one of honesty.
| He would not question the motives of
anyone nor say that all the supporters
| of this extraordinary movement were
Intentionally dishonest. but to speaH
plainly" said he, Il DO say that behind
them are unScrupulous men and crude
and f1imsy free silver literature, clearly
dishonest in purpose, for they lead di-
rectly to reputation, to fiat money,
the degradation of the Supreme Court
by political control to Unconstitutional
impairment of the obligations and in
reference with the freedom of con-
tracts, a reckless attack upon our ma
ticnal and monetary integrity, as well
as upon our whole system of CONNER
cial credit
At one point in his speech, where he
was particularly severe on Populists
and Populism, in which category he in
cluded Mr.. Bryan, a number of Kisses
were heard, but these were quickly
drowned out by the counter cheers of
the majority of the auditors.
Mr.. Belmont concluded his remarks
at $40 and then introduced the speaker
of the evening, Hon. W. Bourke Cock
ran The vast auditorium was imme-
diately in an uproar and the ovation of
the night was rendered the ex-Con-
greSSman. Men and women stood in
their places and cheered themselves
hoarse, at the same time waving small
American flags vigorously.
When the cheering had subsided in
a measure the New York Glee Club
began to sing the Star Spangled Ban
ner." The audience joined in and helped
out with the chorus.
Mr. Cochran at length secured order
and plunged at once into his subject
his reply to Mr. Bryan's speech.
COCKRAN'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Cochran said in part: Mr. Chair
man, ladies and gentlemen, fellow
Democrats: With the inspiring strains
OF that national song still ringing in
our ears who can doubt the issue of
this campaign. (Applause.) That issue
has been well stated by your presiding
officer. Stripped, as he says, of all ver-
bal Disguise it is an issue of common
honesty. More applause) An issue
between the honest discharge and the
dishonest reputation of public and
private obligations. 1t is a question as
to whether the powers of this Govern
ment shall be used to protect honest in
dustry or to tempt the citizen to dis
honesty. On this question honest men
cannot differ. (Applause) 1t is one of
merit and justice. 1t involves the exist
ence of social order. 1t is the contest
for civilization itself.
IF it be disheartening to Democrats
and the lovers of free institutions to
find an issue of this character projected
into a Presidential campaign, this meet
ing furnishes us with an inspiring
truth of how that issue will be met by
the people. (Applause) A Democratic
Convention may renounce the Democrat
ic faith, but the Democracy remains
faithful to Democratic principles. (Ap-
piause) Democratic leaders may be-
tray a convention to the Populists, but
they cannot seduce the footsteps of
Democratic voters from the pathway
OF honor and justice. (Applause) A
candidate bearing the mandate of a
Democratic Convention may in this hall
oren a canvass leyeled against the
foundations of social order, and he be-
holds the Democratic masses confront
ing him on the ground of defense. (Ap-
plause.)
Fellow Democrats, let us not dis
guise from ourselves the fact that we
bear in this contest a serious and grave
and solemn burden of duty. We must
raise our hands against the nominee
of our party and we must do it to pre-
serve the future of that party itself
(Applause) We must oppose the nom
inee of the Chicago Convention, and we
know full well that the success of our
opposition will mean our own exclusion
from public life, but we will be consoled
and gratified by the reflection that it
viii prove that the American people
cannot be divided into parties on
question of simple morals or of COM
mon honesty. (Applause)
We would look in vain through the
speech delivered here one week ago to
find a true statement of the issue in
volved in this canvass. daughter
Indeed, I believe it is doubtful If the
candidate himself quite understands the
nature of the faith which he processes
0aughter) ] say this not in criticism
of his ability. but in justice to his mo-
rality. daughter) 1 believe that if
he himself understood the inevitab bic
consequences of the doctrines which
he breaches that his own hands would
be the very first to tear down the plat
form on which he stands. Applause.)
But there was one statement in that
speech which was very far from am
biguity, pregnant with hope and conf
dence to the lovers of order. He pro-
fesses his unquestioneG belief in the
honesty of the American masses and
he quoted Abraham Lincoln in support
Of the faith that was in him. Well. T
do not believe that the faith of Abra-
ham Lincoln was ever more significant
ly justified than in the appearance
which Mr.. Bryan presented upon this
platform in the changes that have come
over the spirit and the tone of Populis-
tic eloquence since the Chicago Con-
vention. We all must remember that
lurid rhetoric which glcwed as fiercely
in the Western skies as that sunlight
hich through the past week foretold
the torrid heat of the ensuing day, and
here upon this platform we find that
same IHtlpTlC dS lD1lu, dS lllSlDiQ as the
waters of a stagnant pool.
He is a candidate who was swept
into the nomination by wave of pop
ular enthusiasm, awakened by appeals
to prejudice and greed. He is q candi-
date who, on his trip home and in the
initial steps of his trip Eastward de-
cIared that this was a revolutionary
movement: who no sooner found him
self face to face With the American
feeling than he realized that this soil