Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-19
John N. Baldwin presented Allison


were called. there was tremendous
<feering.
Mr.. Lodge took the stand to present
Reeds name. He was Loudly cheereo.
He spoke as follows:
Four years ago we met as we meet
now. representatives Of the great he-
publican party. Prosperity was IN the
land. Capital was confident ana iaoor
employed. There was the good days
wage for the good days work. and the
spirit Of American enterprise was
etirrinx and bold. The treasury was
full. the public revenues ample for the
public need. We were at peace with
ali the world and placed a prudent
hand on the key Of the Pacific. -Four
mort years have come and gone. Look
about you now. The treasury Is
empty. Our credit is impaired. Our
revenues are deficient. We meet the
public needs not with income, but by
borrowing at high rates and pledging
the future for the wants of the present
Business is paralylzed. Confidence Is
gone. Enterprise has folded its eagle
wings and mopes and blinks In the
market place. Our mills are idle and
our railroads crippled. Capital hides
itself and labor idly walks the street.
There is neither a good days wage
for a good days work. We have met
with sights abroad, and have serious
differences with other nations. The
key of the Pacific has slipped from
nerveless hands. Foreign troops have
landed in this hemisphere. Our boun-
daries have been threatened in Alaska
The Monroe doctrine has been de-
Tended but is not yet vindicated The
people of neighboring island fighting
for freedom look toward us with i'm
ploring eyes and look in vain. The
American policy which would protect
our industries at home and our flag
abroad has faded and withered away.
Look upon that picture and on this.
Gould you on that fair mountain
leave to feed and batten on this
lnoor?"
But four short years have come and
gone and they have brought this
change. What has happened? l will
tell you in word. The Democratic
party has been in power. That is the
answer. Upon us falls the heavy bur-
den of binding up these wounds and
bringing relief to all this suffering
The Democrats deceived the people by
promising them the millennium and the
miserable results of their lying prom
Uses are all about us today. We have
no promises to make. We pledge our
selves only to that which we believe
we can perform. We will do our best
That is all. And as in 1860 we saved
the Union and abolished slavery, so
now in 1896 we will deal with the
Democratic legacy of blunders, bank
ruptcy and misfortune.
We are gathered here to choose the
next President of the United States.
That we will win In the election, no
man doubts. But let us not deceive
ourselves with the pleasant fancy that
the campaign is to be an easy one; it
will be hard battle; it cannot be
otherwise as SO much depends upon
the result. Against the Republican
party representing fixed American
policies. strength, progress and order
will be arrayed not only that organ
ICED feature, the Democratic party
but all the wandering forces of poiti-
cal chaos and social disorder. 1t is
not merely the Presidency which is SET
before us as the prize. The prosperity
of the country, the protection of oul
Industries. the soundness of our cur
rency, and the national credit are al
staked on the great issue to be de-
cided at the polls. next November
Upon us rests the duty of rescuing the
country from the misery into which
it has been plunged by three years OF
Democratic misrule. To drive the
Democrats from power is the first
step and the highest duty. but we shall
triumph in vain. and in our turn shall
meet a heavy punishment at the hands
Of the public If we do not put our vic.
tory to right uses Such a crisis as
this cannf. be met and dealt with
by shouts and enthusiasm. We mus
face it as our fathers faced slavery ant
disunion-with a grim determination
to win the battle: and that done t6
take up our responsibilities in the
same spirit i'm which we won the fight
Now, as then, we can hope TO sue
coed only by the most strenuous en-.
deavor. and now as then, everything
depends upon the administration VIZ
place in Office. Wewant a President who
will meet this situation as Lincoln me-
that of 1861: with the chiefs of the
Republicans about him and with ths
party and the people at his back. w,
want President on the 5th day o
next March who will summon Con
gress in extra session and, refusing t,
make appointments or deal will
patronage. will say that all else mus
wait until Congress sends to him {
tariff which shall put money in tn,
treasury and wages in the pockets o
the American workinEman. We wan
President who will protect ut al
hazards the gold reserves of the treas
ury: who will see to it that no obliga
ton of the government is presented
which is not paid in whatever col,
the creditor choose to demand, ant
who will never forget that the nation
which pays with honor borrows will
case. We want a man who will guart
the safety and dignity of the nation a
home and abroad, and who will Away
and constantly be firm in dealing will
foreign nations. instead of varying
long course of weakness and in1iffer
ence with convulsive spasm of vigo
and patriotism. Above all, we wan
q man who will lead his party and &C
with 1t, and who will not by senseles
quarrelS between the White Hous
and the Capitol reduce legislation an,
execution alike to imbecility and fail