The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-18

AN ELABORATE DEFENSE.

putting an end to this gold standard expert
ment and restoring bimetaiiism.
AN ELABORATE DEFENSE,
After paying some attention to what
he termed the campaign of abuse and
vilification that has been fleaped on
opponents of the gold standard. Gov.
Altgeld reached the piece de resistance
of his speech-federal interference in
state matters. 1t was a lengthy de-
Tense Of that clause of the Chicago
platform and equally as much a justi-
f1cation of his official acts as governor
of Illinois 1t consisted quite largely OF
readings from official correspondence
between the speaker. in his official
capacity and officers of the United
States government. His purpose was
to show that federal interference was
uncalled for. and this he sought to
demonstrate by the correspondence.
He then made an argument as to The
rights Of states and the rights of the
general government. This portion of
his speech had the tenor of q brief of
his own case as governor Of Illinois.
Adverting then to the supreme court
plank in the Chicago platform the
speaker said in part:
The platform declares that the income tax
law had been passed in strict pursuance OF the
uniform decisions Of that court for nearly one
hundred years; that the court had in the last
decision sustained objections to that law which
had previously been -overruled by the same
court, and the platform therefore in substance
declares in favor Of securing the reversal
Of that decision IL possible and of having
congress do all In its power to equalize the
burdens of taxation SO that wealth may bear
ment.
This criticism of the supreme court is de-
nounced as subversive of order and destruo-
tive Of the respect that Is due that tribunal.
Astonishing as it may appear, men formerly
connected with the Democratic party and men
connected with the Republican party insist
above ahaS 't Se reach Of criticism Ms friends
give way to no man in admiration for Amer
lean institutions. My life has been spent
IN trying to protect sne nag OF my country ns,I
buttons Of the. country, and as an ofncer OF
the court serving in the capacity OF prosecutor
and for dye years as Judge Of the superior
court Of Chicago, and after this experience
at the bar and on the bench, say to my
countrymen that there cannot be in re-
public any institution exempt from criticism,
and that when any institute Is permitted
to assume that attitude 1t will destroy re-
publican government. The judicial branch
Of the government is just as much subject
to the criticism Of the American people as
are the legislative or executive branches, and
it needs this criticism more than does either
Of the other two branches, because by reason
will felt in the legislative and executive Of
fees, but as the federal Judges are not ap-
pointed by the people and are not RESPONSE
Bile to them. and for all practical purposes
cannot be reached except by the moral senti-
ment and sense Of justice created in the pub
lie mind by free criticism.
In conclusion, Gov. Altgeld said:
My fellow citizens, II you do not believe
in the policy advocated by these men (the Re-
publicans), If you are not in favor OF con-
yerting this republic into an oiigarcy, you
in part governed by the men who toll and
not solely and alone governed by the men
who devour the fruit that others toll for,
then rise in your manhood, stand out In
the sun and before the Almighty declare, as
did the fathers over a hundred years ago,
that we are not only free. but that we are
an Independent people. Declare that the time
has not yet come when this country must
be made financial dependency upon Eng
land, that the experiment of twenty odd
years of having the worlds business done
on a single gold standard has been failure,
that 1t has covered the earth with misery and
Distress and that 1t must be brought to an
must return to that standard Of prices which
had been the worlds standard through all
the centuries that have passed; that standard
under which the foundations OF this reDub-
lie were laid under which we grew great
and mighty and became the most powerful
people of the earth; that standard under
glorious in the world today was created; that
standard upon which this wonderful ctviliza-
ton Of the nineteenth century rests.
Declare yourselves to be in favor of that
policy under which the minis shall again
be opened to both of the metals that
there will be an end of this destructive fall
In prices; so that prudent men VIII again
feel that 1t is safe to go into business or to
embark in new enterprises. Declare in favor
Of an American policy which will
result in instantly inducing intelligent and
enterprising men to open up new fields Of
industry, which will at once create de-
mand for all kinds OF labor. all kinds OF :.
skill and for all kinds of talents Our fathers 1
made a declaration Of independence and there
followed century Of the grandest develop
ment ever known upon the earth. If you
believe in the institutions of the fathers
and in perpetuating them, then go to the
polls on the Sd of November and make a
new declaration of Independence, and there
will follow another century which In grand
eur and glory and in achievement and the
blessings to be showered upon mankind will
surpass the century that is closing