The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-09-10

At the late Republican convention OF
Arizona, held to elect delegates to the
st. Louis convention, Tom Fitch, one
Of the most noted frce-silver advocates
in the Territory, was called upon to
speak, aud responded in speech
which, for simple eloquence and beau
ty of diction, deserves preservation.
His reasons why he should remain In
the Republican party are unansWera-
BILE, and should be read by all Republi-
cans. The reading will in no way
dwarf their enthusiasm for the grand
old party. The fun text Of Mr.. Fitch's
speech is as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Conventions: /
thought that the secll sion that the up
per gallery grants. combined with 9TH
er circumstances, would exempt me
from any invitation to speak before
this convention; but your repeated calls
leave me no alternative consistent with
courtesy but to answer them.
'sThe speakers VINO have addressed
you have spoken Of the free coinage OF
silver az a cardinal principle of the
Republican party. I fear that the St.
Louis convention may compel US to re-
trace some Of our steps in this matter;
and, as the statesmen who control this
convention have not included me among
those deeE;tN most lit to represent Ar-
iona at st. Louis. I feel quite at Hber-
ty to tell the truth.
Il suppose no one will question my
long devotion to the cause of free sill
yer coinage. Years ago. at the incep-
ton of the movement. l, as vice presi-
dent of the national executive commit
tee of the silver convention. in cOnnec-
ton with A. j. Warner, the president
of the committee, travelled through the
South and West, preaching the doc
brine Of bimetalliSm; and never since
had occasion to change my views with
respect to the great benefits that might
result to the nation from the complete
restoration of silver as money-metal;
and yet there are other circumstances
quite as influential which must be po~
tent in determining my future action,
and the future action Of many Repub-
licans in this matter.
"This morning a friend, who is a
member of this convention. and who
now hOnOrs me with his audience, said
to me: Mr.. Fitch, you have always
been pronounced advocate of the free
coinage of silver: what will you do if
the st. Louis convention adopts plank
in their platform favoring single gold
standard and deuouncing the free coin
age of silver?' l did not answer this
question then, but, with your permits
sion, will do so now
Il belong to the Republican party be-
cause its history is the history of the
growth, the greatness and the freedom
of this nation; because its purposes are
patriotic; because it is the friend of la
Dor without being the foe of thrift; be-
cause it is wise; because it is just; be-
cause its restoration to complete pow
err will rekindle the furnace and start
the turbine, and will fill the land with
the music of cOntented and we'll paid
toll, and put bread into mems mouths
and hope into their hearts
II belong to the Republican party be-
cause it is the grandest political organ
ization of free men that the world has
ever known; because, under it's wise
guidance, star after star has been add
ed to our flag. ship after ship has been
added to our fleets, factory after fac
tory has been added to our resources,
millions upon millions have been added