The record-union., 1897-04-25

as the result of splendid Democratic
patriotism has failed to meet the OBJ
legation of the peoples trust, Its
distinct campaign declaration that IL
was unreservedly in favor OF sound
money, the character and controlling
effectiveness of the support 1t gained on
the faith of that declaration, the uni
versal concession that the conflict on
financial theories constituted the is
sue which was passed upon by the suf-
frages of the people, and the country S
pressing exigencieS and needs, all de-
manded prompt and efficient action by
the party intrusted with power in an
effort to place our nations finances, adj
justed to every popular need, upon
safe and sure basis, approved by the
business judgment of the land and
secure from successful attack because
defended by a majority of the thought
fully honest men of all parties. In
stead, however, of addressing them
selves to this task, the managers and
representatives of this victorious party,
these professed champions Of sound
finance have, before the eyes of an eX-
pectant people, returned in hot haste
to their wallowing in the mire of eX-
IRENE protection, offending millions of
voters by their exhibition of party 5
bad faith, and disgusting millions more
by their unconcealed determination to
repay partisan support from the pro
ceeds of increased burdens of taxation
placed upon those already overladen.
In the meantime the allied forces of
calamity, encoura ged by these malgn
conditions. are still active and agrees
i've. They confidently speak of the
encounter in which they failed of sue
cess as only tho first battle and
gladly hail every untoward incident
and every added preteXt for passion
and resentment, as new and welcome
allies in the continuance of their cru
SADIE. They are unwillingly wicked
and stupid who believe that disaster
waits upon the ascendency of those
forces, and yet turn away from the
plain evidence of their dangerous
strength.
Let US be honest with each other
and with ourselves. If there are any
among us who, though not actually ana
actively enlisted in the cause of free
silver and its accompanying vagarles,
can look with complacency upon their
growth and triumph, or if there are
any who, not fearing any individual
loss are needless of the honor and glo-
ry of their own country, and II there
are those whose childlike and simple
faith in their country's resources bIlndS
them to all public danger, inactlOn ana
neglect on their part may be accounted
for if not excused; but nothing can eX-
plain inaction on the part of those who
can make no compromise with the ad-
vocates of unsound money. or who love
their countrys honor more than self
ADVANTAGE or who are convinced that
an unstable and unsafe currency me
vitably BODIES the greatest depth of loss
and misfortune to all the people OF the
land. These should not delude them
selves. The peril they dread is direct
ly impending.
Those who believe that a crisis is
at hand can hardly fail to see that the
party in power is so Joined to its IDOL
of mad protection and is so completely
doomed to popular condemnation, That
it is a useless instrument of defense
against the impending peril. l do not
fear that I shall be accused OF sinister
designs untitled to the atmosphere OF
this occasion, if | insist that the path
of duty and the best hope of safety lie
in an earnest attempt to accomplish the
rehabilitation and generation of true
democracy
In a large part of the country where
financial error is most general the
democratic name can best arouse the
people, and there. as everywhere in our
land, the people can be trusted to ar
rive at a correct conclusion if they
have adequate opportunity for eXami-
nation and information. Let us devise
means to break through the influences
of the mischievouS leadership that
surrounds them, and without arrogant
Iy assuming no rights or hardships af-
hict them and that no reforms in the
conditions are needed, let us meet our
countrymen face to face in argument
and counsel We shall find in every
locality able, heroic mem. willing to
struggle against the tide of misconcep-
ton Let us hold up their hands by
organized effort and timely assistance.
Let true Democrats meet the passion
and bitterness of their former associ-
ates who have assumed the leadership
of anti-DemOcratic Wanderings with
firm expCStulations, reminding them
that Democratic convictions and Dem
ocratic conscience cannot be forced to
follow false lights, however held alOft,
and let us at the same time entreat
them in the name of honorable politi-
cal comradeship and in the memory of
glorious victories won by a united
Democracy, to turn from the way that
leads to party defeat and destruction.
1.-The task is not an easy one, but
surely it is not hopeless. The better We
appreciate its magnitude, the less will
be the danger of ineffective and mis-
guided effort The work has already
been inaugurated by the creation of an
organization founded upon the declar-
alton of Democratic principles, so clear
and so patriotic that there should rally
to their support every true Democrat
and supply an inspiration forbidding
defeat. With such a beginning, and
with an incentive to see the transcen-
dent Importance of our cause, we
should carefully look for the approach
ing dawn when true democracy, re-
deemed, regenerated and olsen
thralled.' will bring us peace and ma
tional safety.
But if relief under the restored flag
of true democracy is late in coming we
will not despair, but will remember
that a just cause has never lost, and
we will work and wait with approving
conscience and constant faith, declar-
ing like the sturdy old unrecanting Ger
man reformers, Here we stand-we
cannot do otherwise-God help U.S."
There was enthusiastic applause as
Mr.. Cleveland concluded.