Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-10-15
Glad to Speak In New York.

am glad to defend our principles In
New York city, and am glad that every
day adds to the number of those in the
/ state of New York who give allegiance to
the principles set forth in the Chicago
platform, and I have such confidence in
the justice Of our use that believe that
every day from now till election day will
add to the number of supporters of free
coinage.
Before addressing myself to the para
mount issue of this campaign l desire to
refer to the argument used here in this
city by an ex-president Of the United
States, Hon. Benjamin Harrison. [Hisses
and groans. My friends, please refrain
from expressing your Ill feelings l quote
his words because words coming from SO
high Republican source are to be consid-
cred even if you cannot agree with them
Let me read what he said: "In my opin-
ion there is no issue presented blythe Chi
cago convention more important and vital
than the question they have raised of pro
tecting the power and duty of the national
congress and the national executive. The
defense of the constitution, and Of the ex-
ecutive, and of the supreme court Of the
United States, and of the presidents pow
er and duty TO enforce all the laws OF the
!
or consent Of the governor OF any state is
an important and leading issue in this
campaign. Tariff and coinage will be OF
no moment If our constitutional govern
ment is overthrown.''
My friends, / call your attention to the
fact that ex-President Harrison asserts
that our platform raises question on that
ubiect-government is in danger If that
/ fr.rra inht . -
discussion of any other question to con
slider wherein it menaces the continuation
of constitutional government, and there Is
nothing in the Chicago platform that
menaces constitutional government. There
is nothing In the Chicago platform that
would make the executive of the United
States feeble in enforcing all the laws of
the nation or feeble in defending the con-
stitution of the nation, and there Is moth
ing in that platform that assails the integ-
rity or questions the honesty Of the su-
preme court of the United States or of
any one state.
challenge you to read that platform
and find in that platform single sentence
that justiaes the language used by the ex-
president.
Our criticism of the supreme court IS
not as severe as the criticism and the plat
form upon which Abraham Lincoln was
elected in 1860. The language that have
used in regard to the supreme court has
not been as severe as the language used by
Abraham Lincoln, both before his election
and after his election to the presidency.
There is nothing in our platform concern
ing the invasion of the state by federal
troops; that appears In force and is en-
phasized in the platform Of 1860 upon
which Mr.. Lincoln was elected There Is
nothing that has been said in the plat
form or by its candidate that justifies the
charge that the Democratic party is assail-
ing constitutional government or interfer-
ing with the preservation of law and Or
der.
l shall go farther than that. If Mr..
Harrison wants to raise the question OF the
survival of our government, am willing
to meet him on that proposition.
My friends, in so far as Republicans and
former Democrats have criticised my cleo
tion as meance to law and order, l want
to say to you that their fear is not that as
an executive will be lax in the enforce
ment of law Their fear is that as an ex-
ecutive 1 would not respect persons
Who Is it that is so afraid that law will
not be enforced? Those who are most fear
full that there will be a lax enforcement OF
the law are the very persons who would
suffer most e the laws were enforced