The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-23
GEN. PALMER's ADDRESS.
The Nominee Reviews the Work of
Two National Conventions.

Two National Conventions.
1t was not until near the close of Mr.
Bynums speech that the candidates-Gen-
erals Palmer and Buckner-came in and
assembled the platform. The sight of the
two grizzled veterans, remnants of the
armies of the North and the South ascend
ing the plat torn created the greatest en-
thusiasm, and there was hearty burst of
applause that lasted for some minutes, the
audience standing on their feet. The band
added to the tumult by playing alternately
America and Dixie When General
Palmer was introduced he was received
with almost vociferous applause. He said:
II expected this afternoon or this evening
to address very large audience / pre-
pared q speech that | supposed would
about fit the crowd but / do not think
have got enough to so around / am in
the habit in Illinois of addressing people
In the open outdoors and / sometimes
unable to reach the occupants of a quarter
section. but l can talk to a great many.
In fact. a good many years ago / was
Mount Pulaski Some of my political adj
versaries were inclined to disturb the
Gentlemen, don't go away; because if you
remain within a mile of this place you will
certainly hear me-
i am here this evening in the attitude
OF candidate for the presidency of the
United States. Less than month ago 1 as
little expected to address this audience as
At indianapolis met very large number
of Democrats. (Applause.) Men who are
In earnest. who believe in Democratic prin-
cipes. They drafted me. and l then vol
unteered | undertook to enter into this
contest and to do what ] could to insure
success to the cause of that great party
did not then believe that there was a
single delegate to the convention that ex-
pected that / would be or could be elected
to the presidency In fact. in the preface
of the declaration of principles adopted by
the convention it did not assert that the
had an ~ a+r,+s
says: This convention has assembled to
uphold the principles upon which depend
people, in order that Democrats through
OFT the Union may unite their patriotic
Efforts to avert disaster to this country
and ruin from their party 1t was in the
face of that distinct official utterance that
l accepted the nomination that was kindly
offered to me.
PLANK FROM THE PLATFORM
The convention was composed of stern,
resolute men. They were the Democrats
of 1892, who contributed their efforts to the
election of that honest, manly Democrat of
whom the convention said: The fidelity,
patriotism and courage with which Presi-
dent Cleveland has fulfilled his great public
trust, the high character of his adnainistra-
ton, it's wisdom and energy in the mainten-
ance of civil order and the enforcement Of
law, its equal regard for the rights of every
class and every section, its firm and dig
nffied conduct of foreign affairs, and it's
sturdy persistence in upholding the credit
and honor of the Nation and fairly recog-
nized by the Democratic party, will secure
to him place in history beside the fathers
of the Republic. We also command the ad-
HinlStrat1on Tor the great progress made in
the reform of the public services, and we
demand that no backward steps be taken
but that the reform be supported and ad-
vanced until the un-Democratic spoils sys-
tenn Of appointments shall be eradicated.
After paying this just and well-deserved
tribute to Mr.. Cleveland the convention
further said in it's assertion of principles:
The Democratic party is pledged to equal
and exact justice to all men of every creed
and condition, to the freedom of the indi-
vidual consistent with good government,
to the preservation of the federal govern
support of the States in all their just
rights, to economy in public expenditures,
to the maintenance of the public credit
ism and all other class legislation
This declaration embodies the Democ-
Tacy of Jefferson and Jackson and of
Cleveland, Great applause.) The dele
gates to the indianapolis convention were
Democrats-not Republicans or Populists
Before the assembling of the Chicago con-
vention they desired and hoped for the
INIT OF o that great historic party and
sacrifices in order to maintain that
unity, but after they saw the work of that
felt constrained to announce to the coun-
try that the declarations of the Chicago
conVention attacks individual freedom. the
right of private contract, the independence
of the judiciary and the authority of the
President to enforce federal laws. They adj
vocate an increase of the price of silver by
legislation to the debasement of our none
tary standard and threaten unlimited is
sues of paper money by the government
They abandoned to their Republican allies
the Democratic cause of tariff reform, to
court the favor of protectionists. In view
departures from Democratic principles we
cannon support the candidates of that con-
yention, nor be bound by it's acts. The
Democratic party has survived many de-
feats. but could not survive a victory won
in the behalf of the doctrine and policy
proclaimed in its name at Chicago. 1t will
be seen that the Indianapolis convention
was not composed of Democrats who would
first. vote the ticket and then read the
platform. Nor was it composed of that
particular type of Democrats who seem
to flourish with SO much vigor in this noble
BILE for any delegate to that convention to
vote for the candidates nominated in Chi
and dangerous. It, therefore. spoke in no
uncertain terms in condemnation of the
Platform adopted by the conventions in Chi
cago and st. Louis, which 1t did by say
ing: We arraign and condemn the Popu-
listic conventions of Chicago and st. Louis
for their cooperation with the Republican
party in agreeing with its conditions which
appeals for justification of heavy increase
ia the burdens en Of t,a the people by q further
nounce protection and it's ally, the free
coinage of silver. as a scheme for the per-
masses, and oppose the two parties which
stand for the schemes as hostile 20 the peo-
pie of the Republic, whose food and shelter,
comfort and prosperity, aSe attacked by
higher taxes and deprecated money In
fine, we affirm the historic Democratic doc
trine of tariff for revenue only (Applause.)
1T is unnecessary for me to say that the
Democratic party has existed for nearly a
century, and its opinions are stereotyped
in the popular mind, gaining its origin in
the efforts of the great statesmen of the
past to defend constitutional liberty and
promote the welfare of the people. It's ira
ditionS have formed an essential part of it's
belief. It's work has harmoniZed with its
principles and il it is to live beyond the
present year its existence must be secured
by the cooperation of Democrats, of men
who serve its traditions and hold no prin-
ciples. (Applause.)
FALSE TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCILES
1.-The Chicago convention was regularly
called and IL 1t had adhered to the faith
Of the fathers, the organization which 1
represent would have been entirely unnec-
essary. Indeed, thousands of Democrats
to-day have such respect for orderly and
regular organization that they feel almost
constrained to submit to authority. Dem
ocrats have a reverential affection for the
Constitution, with all its adjustments for
the rights of the States, established in
the century of national life, and still earn
estly maintain their devotion to regular
and orderly government. That some Dem
ocrats should doubt the policy of resistance
to the action of the Chicago convention is
h f1a ~ i'm led