The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-05
GEN. GRANTS
SOUND SENSE.
A Great Americans Anal
ysis of Political Parties.
DEM0CRACY'S SELFISH AIM.

Party Was To Get Control OF the Govern
ment, Said the Great Comnander-The
Republican Party Stood For "Protection
60 Life, Property. Public Credit"-The
Democratic Party Party of Reputation.
On the lst day Of October, 1880, at
Warren, o., General u. S. Grant intro
duced Senator Roscoe Conkling TO a
great meeting of Republicans. On that
occasion he made his first political
speech and explained in the language
given below why he was Republican:
I'm view of the known character and
ability Of the speaker who is TO address
you today, and his long public career
and association with the leading states
men Of tho country for the past 20 years,
ii would not be becoming in me TO de-
tain you with any remarks of my own.
But it may bo proper for me to account TO
you, on the first occasion Of my presid-
ing at a political meeting, for the faith
that is in me- / am Republican, rs
the two great political parties are now
divided. because the Republican party
is a national party seeking the greatest
good of the greatest number Of its citi-
zens There is not precinct in this
vast nation where Democrat cannot
cast his ballot ard Eavo it counted as
cast, no matter what the prepondcrance
of the opposite party. lie can proclaim
his political opinions, even if he is only
] among 200, without fear and with
out prescription. There are IA states,
and localities in some others, where Re-
publicans have not that privilege. This
is one reason why am q Republican,
but / am Republican for many other
reasons Tie Republican party assures
protection to life, property, public credit
and the payment of the debts ON the
govermen-, state, county or municipal
ity, so far as ii can control.
"The Democratic party does not
promise this TX it does. it has broken
its promise TO the extent Of hundreds of
millions, rs many northern Democrats
can testify to their sorrow.
Il am Republican as between ex-
listing parties because the Republic
All party fosters the protection of the
field and farm and of it's manufactures,
and it encourages general education Of
the poor as we'll as the rich.
1.-THE Democratic party discourages
all these whom in absolute power.
"Tho Republican party is party Of
progress and OF liberality towrd its OPP
ponents. 1t encourages the poor to strive
20 better their condition lrthe ignorant
to educate their children, to enable
them to compete more successfully with
their moro fortunate associates, and, in
fine, IL secures an entire equality before
the law of every citizen, no matter what
his race, nationality or previous condi-
tion. 1t tolerates no privileged class Of
men. Every one has the opportunity to
make himself all he is capable of.
Ladies ard gentlemen, do you be-
lieve this can truihfully be said in the
greater part of Ia of tho states Of the
Union today, which the Democratic
party controls absolutely?
"The Republican party is party Of
principles, the same principles prevail
ing wherever ii has a foothold.
''The Democratic party is united in
bu. one thing, and that is in getting
control of the government in all its
branches, IT is for internal improve
ment at the expense of the government
in one section and against this in an
other. 1t favors iepudiation Of solemn
obligations in one section and honest
payment Of its debts in another (where
,.,h1,, 49, ,,;o,, xx,pl.1 NOT frIoroto opv
other view. it favors fiat money in
orc place and gocd money in another.
Finally. il favors tho pooling of all is
sues not favored by the Republicans, to
the end that il may secure the one prin-
ciplc upon which the party is most
harmonious unit--namely, gaining con-
troll Of the government in all its
branches.
II have been in somc part Of every
state lately in rebellion within the last
year. l was most Hospitality received at
every place / stopped. My receptions
were not by the Union class alone, but
by all classes without distinction. | had
free talk with many who were against
.us dr-irg the war. and who have been
against the Republican party ever since.
They were in al instances reasonable
men, judged by what they said. / be.
heyed then, and believe now, that they
ranccrely want break up in the solid
south political condition. They see
that il is to their pecuniary interest as
well rs 10 their happiness that there
should be harmony and confidence be-
tween all scctions. They want to break
away from the slavery which binds
them TO party name They want
pretcxt that enough Of them can unto
upon to make il respectable. Once start
ed, the solid south will go as Kuklux.
ism did before, as is so admirably told
by Judge Tourgce in his 'Fool's Err
rand. When the break comes those who
start IL will bc surprised to find how
many Of their friends have been in favor
of it for q long time, and have only
been waiting for some one TO take the
lead. This desirable solution can only he
obtained by the defeat and the continued
defeat OF the Democratic party as now
ronoftf,sfod -