St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-27
SUBSTANTIAL ACTUALITIES
Not Considered by Orators of the
Republican Party.

To the Editor of the Globe.
| attended the ratification meeting of the
Republican league clubs at the Grand w Wednes-
day evening, a Democrat, but one who
was willing to learn. l came away satisned
that Republican orator has to rely upon
glittering generalities rather than substantial
actualties to make point. l submit that
not speech there delivered contained a
single argument why any man should cast
4 Republican ballot now or ever. To prove
what ] say let me be more particular IN my
references. The first speaker, +. +. Davis,
of Minneapolis, is an eloquent orator and
gifted man, familiar with the history of his
country and the achievements OF his party.
Some OF his flights of eloquence were beau
tiful, particularly that In which he pleaded
for Cuban independence and pictured the
bravery of colored regiment in the civil
war in reciting the historic assault on Fort
Wagner But not a single word escaped his
lips which might be construed as an excuse
for voting the Republican ticket. With Sen
ators Hale and Hoar opposed to the recog-
milton of the Cuban belligerents, and Senators
Hill, Gray and Morgan espousins their cause,
Mr. Davis certainly can not advance this
argument for voting the Republican ticket.
Gen. McAlpin spoke about five minutes and
used the personal pronouns l and me some
where in the neighborhood of forty-seven
times. He referred, in anticipation, to the
victory in November, and spoke of the states
of the Eastern metropolis. What does that
mean? In his closing passage he said that
the Republicans of the East 'confdentially
expected $4,000 majority in Minnesota. Gen.
nation for president, but is known to be
pulling the wires for the vice presidential
nomination for himself on the Mckinley
ticket. The next speaker, Mr. Dowling, spoke
of the work of the league and said that it
had been active in the last presidential cam
paign. In view of the result of its activity
every Democrat in the land hopes it will be
pernciously active this year again.
Then came the newly elected state secre-
tary, c. L. Smith, of Minneapolis. He said
not a single thing of any consequence except
that the Republican party is the only one
that had ever existed that dares take the his
tory of the United States campaign docu-
ment. In view Of the fact that the grandest
pages in that history were written. and its
grandest achievements accomplished before the
party which he eulogiZed was born, his asser-
ton was evidently made as it were, to the
galleries. The last speaker Of the evening,
the head of the Minnesota delegation TO st.
Louis, r. G. Evans, of Minneapolis, said that
he thought that man whose political views
were different than his might be a good man
in spite of that handicap and then went on
to prove his magnanimity by ringing de-
nunciation of his political opponents. He
waved the bloody shirt; and making a spe-
cial reference to sound money, remarked that
the American people love a courageous man,
whether he is right or wrong. Had you
thought, Mr. Evans, when you made that re-
mark, that when Reed lodging this ques-
ton in the house to curry favor with the sill
vertes, when Mckinley never opened his
mouth except to talk tariff, when Sherman
/
yer legislation and other Republican leaders
were equivocating, that like a clear trumpet
| note, dispelling doubt and saving the credit
and name of his country. Grover Cleveland took
his firm and unequivocal stand for sound money
and an honest dollar, and that his courage
fidelity and honesty saved this country from
| financial ruin? Had you thought of this, and
also that of all the candidates on either side
who have been asked to define their position Oh
the money question William G. Whitney is
the cnly one who has put nail in the coffr
of the free silver heretics? Mr.. Evans spoke oi
the undying principles of Republicanism and
said no party ever existed with such princi
pies. He was unmindful Of the fact that the
| Democratic party is the only one that has eX.
| listed since the formation of the government
! 1t stood at the bier Of the Federalist party
and shed tears at its demise. 1t was a pail
! bearer at the funeral Of the Whig party. Aftel
| such an extended career with list of name:
| the like of which no other party ever contained
! TO make glorious its history, the Democratic
party has nothing to fear from its present great
est opponent. l submit that this is a faithful ac
count of the proceedings of the gathering
and any one who was convinced from thest
| speeches that he should vote the Republican
ticket is indeed easily convinced that he ough
| to do wrong. Democrat.
| st. Paul March 26 1896