The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-01-14
JUDGE BLANDlN.
FULL TEXT OF HIS PAPER READ
AT THE BANQUET.
A Document That is worthy Careful
PerueaI by Everyone la Whose
Hands This Issue Fsils-Condi.
tions and Their Remedy.


tions and Their Remedy.
Appended is the full text Of the paper
written by Judge II. J. Blandin and reat
at the Free Silver banquet in response tC
the toast: "The Reorganization of th'
Democratic Party:
"Disregarding the agreeable custom Of
giving up these festive occasions to pleas
antriss, and merely entertaining remarks
1 ask your indulgence while divert the
course of our thoughts to topics intimate
ly connected with, and suggested by both
the occasion which as convened us and
the particular subject assigned to me.
So far as the sdaptability Of the place tc
the sustenance and happiness of people Is
concerned, the territory occupied by the
United States is not excelled upon the
earth. Whether we regard 1t from the
point Of climate, fertility Of soil, variety
Of agrioul tural products, extent Of
forests of useful timber, richness Of
mineral deposits, facilities for navi.
cation, bordering and internal waters,
oceans, lakes and rivers, we must admit
that nature has endowed us with the
most generous and liberal hand. So
richly and so abundsntly is our country
endowed, that there is no necessity, no
luxury, no ornament which our advanced
civilization can suggest to the human
mind that cannot be either produced r
easily obtained by system Of free ex-
change OF our native products.
Our country is comparatively new and
these abundant riches lie about us
on every hand in such prcfusion as almost
to be despised as wanting value or deserv-
ing to be priced. Large traots Of rich but
uncultlvated land lie all about us, even
bordering on the suburbs Of all our cities
and villages. Millions Of feet Of beautiful
lumber yearly rot in our forests alongside
OF the railroads which might transport
1t at nominal charges Fruits and grains
perish on the spot where they are pro-
duced or are used for fuel instead of food.
Our people are industrious and moral,
apt and ingenius in applying their ener-
gies to convert and use these natural
blessings for their comfort and enjoy
ment.
1t / S matter Of curious speculation to
see such people inhabiting such
country, suffering want and priyatioD
In the midst of such abundance. A few
days ago twelve trades in New York city
reported upwards of 10000 men idle,
which means In want. 1t is estimated
that in the city Of Cleveland 10000
persons will, during the present winter, re-
quire the aid of public charity to escape
starvation; and we know that II these
facts exist, the amount of priyation, yes,
of suffering, that must at the same time
exist but which does not quite reach to
such a state Of pauperism, is appalling,
or would be, if known. And it is that
suffering, that hunger, that cold, that
pinchi"g want, among adults and among
children, which pride shelters from the
public gaze, which is usually more dis
tressiug than that which sollcits and |
receives public aid.
When this same land was inhabited |
only by birds and beasts and savages there |
was enough and to spare; and IL there is
want now, as we all know there is, it is
not because the abundance given by
nature has been absorbed by dense popu-
lation because that is not true; but
because human policies (or should I not
rather say human follies) have strangled
bur people In the midst of plenty.
Every decade and every year of our
national life has greatly increased the pro-
,very new steam engine, every new rail-
.oad, steam boat, telegraph, telephone,
machine or contrivauce Of genius has
multiplied the productive power Of labor
md multiplied also the number Of things
which make us comfortable So that as
ime goes on, as population grows, and
and inventions and improve
nents multiply, the condition, happiness
md comforts of all our people should like.
wise increase, since the natural supplies
.vailable to be fashioned by these new
orces is unexhausted aud still exists in
Vssteful profusion all about us. Not only
re these raw materials abundant while
and men TO make them into
comforts are Idle, but the granaries are
oil while human beings are hungry,
wood rots in the forests while children
hiver for want Of fuel, the stores and
hops are full Of shoes and clothes and
ood wanting purchasers, while shivering
look in at windows upon things
hey need and cannot have.
have said enough to show you that
he conditions which exist and which
iannot be contemplated without pain, are
rot natural, but are artificial. The ex-
stenCe Of an able-bodied pauper who is
Wiling to work in our country, is a
Ia tiopal disgrace. II we decently used
he gifts 81 abundantly bestowed on us
~ nature, we should, without doubt,
rave fewer millionsires, bat we would
rave no able-bodied paupers vainly seek
ng honest employment.
We have for generation pursued
,olicy miscalled, lyingly calleo, "protec-
hon, by which production has been
'rippled and trade strsngled and discour-
Iged, thus diverting both capital and