The Van Buren press., 1896-08-15

Aurelius buckled golden mail and sent
it forth dedicated to the service of plu-
teeraey in tbs free land of ours. But in
the Democratic party, thank God, tn
people were triumphant There the
clutch of the money power, after ire
mendous conflict was broken. Inc
priests of Mammon were scourged from
the temple, and today, under the prov
idence of high Heaven, the old party re-
juvenated, stands forth stronger and bet
ter than ever, the undaunted champion Of
constitutional liberty, popular rights and
national independence.
The gauge of battle thrown down at
st. Louis was taken up at Chicago
Against English ideas we place Amer-
can ideas; against English policy we
place an american policy; against for
eign domination we place American indie
pendence; and against the selfish control
of privileged classes we place the SOW
ereignty of the people.
The Republican platform is the anti
thises of the Democratic platform. One
stands for gold mono-metallism, the 9th
er for gold and silver bi-metallism. One
proposes that we wait upon other ma
lions; the other that we act for our
selves. One proposes that the govern
York and London the other that the
Secretary of the Treasury shall stand
erect, confident and fearless, and as
sert his power to protect the rights of
the people and the honor of the nation.
One proposes to continue the policy of
issuing bonds, the other to stop it. One
declares for European alliance, the
other is declaration for American indie
pendence. Upon these all-important
questions issue Is Joined between the two
great political parties of the republic
Certainly there are other things of
moment in which the people feel pro-
found concern, but of all questions in the
current political affairs of this day and
generation, the financial question rises TO
such supreme importance that all other
projects are practically excluded from
present consideration. The Chicago con-
vention declared in so many words that
until the great paramount issue was
definitely settled and settled right, the
consideration of all other questions upon
which the people are seriously divided
should be postponed. or at least not
pressed upon public or legislative at
tention. Around this one supreme is
sue the great battle of 1896 is to be
fought. For the first time it has been
fairly presented, without evasion or dis
guise. Both parties have taken position
boldly Both are confident and defiant.
Between them the American people are
the arbiters, and as such they are now
to pass judgment upon the most impor-
tant question presented to then, since
the storm of civil war wrecked happy
homes and left its bloody trail upon the
land. They are to pass judgment upon
q nuocfiop xuhi I 1oI
affects, as no other question can, not
only the present happiness and prosperi-
ty of the people, but the felicity of their
children, the perpetuity of American in
situations, and the ell-being of all man.
kind.
Mr.. Chairman, in all great movements,
in all concerted effort, when well-direct-
ed, there must be leadership. A leader
should be representative of the cause he
champions. He should be more than that
he should be in all essential qualities
and in the highest degree typical of
those who invest him with the dignity
and responsibility of leadership
The Chicago platform has been de-
nounced as un-Democratic and the del
egates composing the convention have
been stigmatized as anarchists and So
cialists. We have heard much Of this
from certain class of papers and indi-
viduals. On Saturday last in my own
State an ex-Democrat, ex-supreme court
judge, characterized the Chicago plat
form as "a bundle of Populistic notions,
saturated brimful with socialism and
anarchy" and at the same time an ex-
Democratic corporation attorney of some
distinction declared that American citi-
zenship meant government, mot by the
unthinking, unheeding masses, but by
the elements which are guided by judg-
ment and reason" "Unthinking, I'M
needing masses is very good. 1.-THE ell
ements which are guided by judgmenC
and reason" Is extra good. 1t is at least
slight modification of Vanderbilt's ar
rogant anathemem-"damn the people,
and for this small concession, we ought,
no doubt, to be duly grateful. Who
composed the Chicago convention? From
the State in which reside the gentleman
from whom l have quoted, the delega-
ton sent to that convention was COM
posed OF farmers, lawyers, doctors,
editors, merchants, manufacturers
and several of the most conspicuou ly
successful business men in the Missis-
sippi valley. Among them also were
eminent judges of high courts, Senators
NHS Chi0Oo ctdtSoJ III
Congress and the treasurer and governor
of the state. That delegation was chosen
by one of the greatest conventions ever
assembled in the state representing all
classes of the very best people of the
commonwealth.
what was true of Missouri was equal
ly true of all the states. If these could
not speak for the Democratic party who
couldF If these men do not understand
Democracy, who are its exopnents? But
these are the men who are ridiculed as an
minimizing, unheeding mob who cannot
be trusted in the conduct of public af-
fairs, and these are the men who must
give way to English toad es and the pam,
pered minions of corporate rapacity,
who arrogate to themselves all the vir-
tues and wisdom of the world. Sir the
man who holds up to opprobrium such
men as constituted the Chicago con-
vention, who denounces them as cranks.
anarchists or socialists, or who in any
respect impugns their intelligence or pa
triotism, does himself most rank Injustice
if he be not knave, a slanderer, or
a fool
The convention did indeed represent
the masses of the people-the great in