The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-08-18


Mr. Chairman ana gentlemen of the COM
mittee and fellow citizens: / shall, at
future day, and in a formal letter, accept
the nomination which is now rendered by
the notification committee, and l shall at
that time touch upon the issues presented
by the platform. 1t is fitting, however
that at this time in the presence of those
here assembled, l speak at some length in
regard to the campaign upon which we are
now entering.
We do underestimate the forces ar
rayed against us, neither are we unmind
full of the Importance of the struggle in
which we are engaged; but relying for sue
cess upon the righteousness of our cause
we shall defend with all possible yigor the
positions taken by our party.
We are not surprised that some of our
opponents, in the absence of better argu-
ment, resort to abusive epithets, but they
may rest assured that no language, how
ever violent, no invectives, however vehe-
ment, Will lead us to depart single hairs
breadth from the course marked out by
the national convention. The citizen, either
public or private, who assails the character
and questions he patriotism Of the dele
gates assembled III the Chicago convention,
assails the character and questions the
patriotism of millions who have arrayed
themselves under the banner there raised.
1t has been charged by men standing
high in business and political circles tina.
| our platform is a menace to private security
and public safety; and it has been asserted
that those whom l have the honor, for the
time being, to represent, not only mediate
an attack upon the rights of property, but
are the foes of social order and national
| honor those who stand upon the chicago
platform are prepared to make known and
| to defend every motion which influences
| them every purpose which animateS them,
| and every hope which inspires them. They
understand the genuius Of our institutions,
| they are staunch supporters OF the form
Of government under which we live, and
| they build their faith upon foundations
| laid by the fathers.
Andrew Jackson has stated, with admir-
| able cearness and with an emphasis which
| cannot be surpassed, both the duty and
| the sphere of government. He said: Dis
| tinctions in society will always exist under
every Just government. Equality of talents.
| of education or of wealth cannot be pro-
| duced by human Institutions In the full
enjoyment of the gifts Of Heaven and the
fruits of superior industry, economy and
| virtue, every man is equally entitled 10
protection by law.
We yield to none in our devotion to the
doctrine just enunciated. Our campaign
has not for its object the reconstruction Of
society We cannot insure to the vicious
| the fruits of a virtuous life; we would not
| invade the home of the provident in order
| to supply the wants Of the spendthrlft; we
| do not propose 10 transfer the rewards
of industry to the lap of Incidence. Prop
erty is and will remain the stimulus 10
endeavor and the compensation for toll
We believe as asserted i'll the declara-
ton of independence, that all men are
created equal; but that does not mean that
all men arc or can be equal in possessions,
In ability, or in merit it s!Glpy means
that all shall stand equal before the law
and that government officials shall not. III
making, constructing or enforcing the law,
discriminate between citizens. | assert that
property rights, as well as the rights or
persons are safe in the hands of the com
mon people.
Abraham Lincoln, in his message sent to
congress in December 1861, said: mo men
living are more worthy to be trusted than
those who toll up from poverty, none less
inclined to take or touch ought which they
have not honestly earned.
repeat his language with unqualified APP
prevail and join with him in the warning
which he added, namely: Let them be-
ware of sUrrendering political power
which they already possess ard which pow
err, If surrendered. will sarely be used to
close the doors of advancement against such
az they and to fix new disabilities and bur-
dens upon them, till all of liberty shall be
lost
Those who daily follow the injunction,
Sin the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
bread are now, as they ever have been,
the bulwarL Of law and ORDER tbe source
Of our nations greatness in time OF peace
and it's surest defenders in time of war.
But | have only read a part OF JackSonS
utterance. Let me give you his conclusion:
"But when the laws undertake to add to
those natural and lust advantages artificial
distinctions-to gl<lt titles, gG2tuitfes and
exclusive priviIegeS-to axe the rich richer
and the potent more p0werfui--rhe humble
members of society, the farmers, 'mechan-
les and tho day laborera, Who have neither
the time nor tie means OF securing like
faycrs for themselves, have Il right to COM
plain Of the injustice OF their government
Those who support the Chicago platform
6udorse all the quotations from jackson,
the IatteY part as well as the former part.
We are not surprised to find arrayed
against us those who are the benefciaries
of government fav0-ifisni-they have READ
our piatfGPm. Nor are We surprised TO
learn that we must IN fhia campaign lace
the hostility OF t.}oso who End peclniary
advantage III advocating tie doctrine or
non-interfereuce when great a@gfegatons OF
wealth are trespassing np0a tue rights OF
individuals We welcome such opposition.
1t is the highest endorsement which could
be bestowed upon u.s.
We are content TO have the cooperation
Of those who desire to have the govern
ment administered without fear or favor.
It is net the wish of the general public
that trusts should spring into existence and
override the weaker members OF society; 1t
is not the wish of tie general pubic that
these trusts should destroy competition and
then collect such tax as they Will from
those who are at their mercy; nor is it the
fault of the general public that the instru-
mentalities of government have been 50
often prostituted to purposes or private
gain Those who stand upon the Chicago
platform believe that the government
should not only avoid wrong doing, but
that it should also prevent wrong doing;
and they believe that the law should be en-,
forced alike against all enemies OF pubic
veal They Go not excuse petit larceny,
hut they declare that grand larceny is