The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-10

banquet of the Mckinley club at the
Allyn house tonight was attended by
about 900 Republicans from all over the
state.
The guest of the evening was Cover
nor John w. Griggs. of New Jersey,
who was welcomed by the Hon. Henry
G.. Robinson, of this city, in a speech
highly complimentary in character and
eulogistic of the states of New Jersey
and Connecticut. Governor Griggs was
the principal speaker of the evening
and spoke as follows:
GOVERNOR GRIGGS' SPEECH.
After some pleasantries and compli-
mrnts to the Mckinley club. Governor
John w. Griggs. of New Jersey, spoke
in part as follows:
Az We approach the time set FOR the
meeting OF the national conventions of
the parties, We naturally turn our thoughts
TO what they are likely TO do. What de-
clarations OF principle or purposes they
Will make 10 the people. Whom they Will
nominate. ! would not like to be the man
TO whom shall be assigned the duty Of
writing the Democratic platform. Plat
forms are usually o. two parts. I'etrospec-
tive and prospective. For the Democratic
party what re etrospect. and what a pros
pect; to what will the eloquent pen of
the draughtsman point with pride? VIII
1t be to the prosperity that has over
shadowed the land like a cloud during the
present administration? VIII IL be TO the
triumph of Populist craftsmanship that
was achieved by the imposition Of an in
com" tax: VIII IL be to the passage of a
tariff bill which their own president would
not sign VIII they glory in the fact
that they haze repealed the reciprocity
treaties and thereby destroyed many mil
Hons of dollars of American trade? viii
they omit to mention that they have OK.
in
Great Britain by the repeal of the Nc
k!nley law and the opening of our mar
kets 10 british manufacturers: that they
have closed many factories operated by
American tariff robbers" and opened
many more Oil the other side Of the ocean;
that .snerican workmen have in cons =
quence been unusually idle while English
operatives have experienced a season of
prosperity what commendation will
taey bestow upon our minister TO Great
Blitain for acting as an apologist for
American tariff heresies and the financial
piahK; whose pen shall be assigned TO
write that? Shall il be Carlsle's? How is
h" to express in one consistent plank the
policy of the administration and the hos
nir sentiments or the majority of his
party.
In only three out OF the nineteen months
the wilson tariff has been in operation
mas II produced revenue equal to the
expenditures of the government; for the
whole period there Is a deficiency OF S76.-
0UV,V1 while In the SAME period after the
passage Of the Mckinley law there was a
surplus revenue Of S25,Oo000O. Upon what
theory OF political economy will the Dem
ocracc platform Justify the borrowing of
money 10 meet the ordinary cost of gov.
ernment III time OF peace?
Run your minds back over the record
OF this Democratic administration and re-
call single thing 1t has done--from the
passage of the Wilson bill down to the
latest issue OF bonds-wh!ch has not bean
al ts.f.
tility within the Democratic ranks. Ou:
of sucn mass OF seethng errors and di-
versity it will be impossible TO construct
platform which can command either
the respect or The support Of any great
portion of the people. II 1t shall be made
10 appear satisfactory 10 the diverse ele-
ments Of the party, IL will b. insincere,
ana II l. Is sincere II will be unsatisfac
tory.
| viii not assume the role OF a prophet
ana try 10 forecas, the Democratic can
didate The future is TOO dark for ordi-
nary political foresight. Ii they want 10
be consistent with their tariff record they
will take Mr.. Wilson and rely upon The.
, approval of the London board OF trade;
il they wish TO follow the policy Of the
Cleveland administration. in financial
matters, they will take Carlisle Either
viii suit us.
THE BRIGHT SIDE.
Let US turn from impractical aha use
| less speculation concerning Democratic
| difficulties and look at the other side
The hope Of this country for the future
is in the Republican party as It's saliva
| tion in The past was. 1t Is not unused 10
facing difficulties and dangers. II has
always risen grandest and most inspir'
! ing In times of storm and stress. Its era
| die was rocked by the b!llows of tempes..
| uous political seas. Its record Is written
in the. history of America. Whatever has
made our country great. whatever has
! made il prosperous, whatever has PR
served and soidifed it. is due to thai
| party. The great men Of America since
| 1860 have been Republicans.
| Hut the Republican party does not rely
! upon the prestige of its grea! names. moi
alone upon the merit OF its great achieve
ments. eW are willing to le, history r..
main history. We will let all men shar.
| in the glory of It's past. now so firmly sc
! in the commendation of the world. Found
ed upon correct and enduring principles
| seeking only the glory and welfare of th'
country, II Is forever pressing forward lt
| new duties and fresh conquests for thu
| people.
When we shall have nominated our can
didate it will be no weakness in aim tha
| our opponents shall call him a prOtec
zionist. That Is exactly the kind of u can
! didate the people are looking for. They
are impatient Of the arguments of th'
professors Of political economy; what the!
want Is not cheap goods, but work an,
, wages.
Give us again Republican rule. wit!
fair protection for American manufacture
ers and American workmen, sound money
revenue enough to pay our national nN
penses, an administration that Is thor
oughly. wisely, honorably American, AM
we shall see our country lifted to neV
heights of prosperity and greatness an
r.1- 1al n Ranllhli