The true northerner., 1896-10-28
Tom. Fitch Tells Why He is Re
publican.

At the republican convention OF Ari-
zona, held to elect delegates to the
St. Louis convention, Tom Fitch, one
of the most noted free silver advocates
in the territory, was called upon To
speak, and responded in n speech which
for simple eloquence and beauty
of diction, deserves preservation. His
reasons why he should remain in the
republican party are unanswerable, and
should be read by all republicans. The
reading will in no way dwarf their en-
thusiasm for the grand old party. The
full text of Mr.. Fitchs speech is as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Conventional
thought that the seclusion that the up
per gallery grants, combined with other
circumstances, would exempt me from
any invitation To speak before this con-
vention, but your repeated calls leave
me no alternative consistent with cOur-
tesy but TO answer them.
THE speakers who have addressed
you have spoken of the free coinage of
silver as cardinal principle of the re-
publican party. fear that the st. Louis
convention may compel us to retrace
some of our steps in this matter, and,
as the statesmen who control this con-
vention have not included me among
those deemed most fit to represent Ar
izona at St. Louis, feel quite at liberty
To tell the truth
Il suppose no one will question my
long devotion to the cause of free silver
coinage. Years ago, at the inception
of the movement, |, as vice president
of the national executive committee of
the silver convention, in connection
x.ifh ha IS tb.
committee, travelled through the South
and West preaching the doctrine of BIZ
metalliSm, and | have never had occa-
sion TO change my views with respect
To the great benefits that might result
To this nation from the complete resto-
ration OF silver as money metal; and
yet there are other circumstances quite
AS influential which must be potent in
determining my future action, and the
future action of many republicans 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 adopt a plank
In their platform favOring a single gold
standard and denouncing the free coin
age of silver?' | did not answer this
question then, but with your permis-
sion | will do so now.
II belong to the republican party be-
cause It's 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 il is Just, be-
cause its restoration to complete power
will re- kindle the furnace and start the
turbines, and fill the land with the mu-
sic OF contented and well-paid toll, and
put bread into mems mouths and hope
into their hearts.
Il belong To the republican party be-
cause II is the graDdest political organ
ization of freemen that the world has
ever known; because under its wise
guidance star after star has been added
To our flag, ship after ship has been
added to our fleets, factory after facto-
ry has been added To our resources,
millions upon millions have been added
TO our wealth, city after city has been
developed from our villages, and the
land has been laced with a network of
iron rails, and furnace fires have illu-
minated the night, and the grand dia.
pason of labor has been made to sound
throughout the continent.
IL belong to the republican party be-
cause under its inspiration these United
States, once a wrangling and discord-
ant ntcOmmonwealth; these United States,
once shamed with slavery aud decrepit
with the disease of secession-these
United States have become country
where no slaves presence dishonors la
Dor, where no freemans utterances are
choked by the hand of power where no
man doffs his hat TO another except
threugh the courtesy of equals, where
education is free, where manhood is
respected and where labor is protected
Under the patriotic rule Of the re.