The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-01-16

III ~ sAH
both political parties, hence every firm and
every corporation had It's Republican man
ager and It's Democratic manager.
| The other class consisted OF men who
! wanted political prominence. They saw
that the Republican party was already
crowded with rich men and that the oppor-
tunities were not so good for preferment.
and although they were Republicans In
| TASTE in theory and in association, and al
though they not single drop Of Democrat
| ic blood in them and were not capable of
comprehending Democratic principle, ana
although they stood for those forces which
devour the substance of the people, they
managed to get control Of the Democratic
| party, and used it for their own ends.
In 1884 the Standard Oil and other cofpor-
ate interests came to Chicago and con-
trolled the Democratic convention. They
did not want q Democrat, nor did they In
reality want a president. What they
wanted was a registrar, some one who would
do their bidding. They knew their man
and they got him. In 1888 the Standard
Oil and other corporate interests went to
St Louis and controlled the Decomratic
convention. In 1882 the Standard Oil and
other. trusts and great corporate interests
went to Chicago and controlled the Demo-
cratic convention. A platform was pre-
scented to that. convention, framed to suit
the men who controlled 1t, and it stood
for nothing. Some one in the convention
sot it amended SO as to make 1t stand
for something definite on the tariff. To a
limited extent we became an aggressive
force, The country being dissatisfied with
the opposite party, we won. Then the
Democracy went to sleep under upas tree.
In 1896 the Standard Oil and the great
trusts and corporate interests came TO
Chicago to again control the party, which
to them by vested right. but the Demo-
cracy Of America had shaken Off Its stupor.
They proclaimed again the rights of hui
maniity,. they raised again the banners or
Jefferson and of Jackson, and they de-
clared that the Democratic party must
again stand for democratic principles.
They adopted a new declaration of iade-
pendence, and they selected for their stand
ard bearer him who made the most re-
markable campaign ever witnessed by man.
AS an intellectual achievement, as feat
Of genius, as an heroic struggle on the
most lofty plane of intelligence and NOR
|ality, his performances are without
parallel in all history. While the forces OF
plutocracy and corruption will seat NC
KinleY now, the silent usher OF flames great
temple will conduct the peoples champion
to the highest place Of honor.
Now, gentlemen, why do we celebrate
the birth of Andrew Jackson? 1t IS pc
cause he stood erect in the sight of omnl-
de6ed the forces of plutocracy. 1t is be-
cause he stood for the great toiling masses
of humanity, because he stood for those
doctrines that a1e vital to free government.
What is the situation now? Jefferson
declared that the prerogative OF issuing
money or bills which should circulate as
money belonged to the government alone,
and that banks of issue were destructive
of the liberties of the people. Yet the pres
ent administration has trampled that prin-
cip1e into the mud and openly advocated
that the government should surrender Its
prerogative of issuing bills that shall cir
culate as money to the corporations.
Jackson found the money changers In the
temple. drove them out and declared: by
the eternal, the people shall rule this land,
and not the money power" The present
federal administration has made complete
surrender to the money power. Every
principal vital to free government >adVocat-
ed by Jefferson has been secuted by TINS
administration, and every declaration IN
favor of the government by the people
made by Jackson has been waved aside
with a sheer by the present administrator.
Yet, notwithstanding these facts, there
will gather today at various places In TINS
country gentlemen who uphold and applaud
the present administration for the course
it has taken in insulting the memory or
jefferson and splitting upon the good name
of Jackson, who yet insist upon calling
themselves Democrats.
We know that we stand for certain great
principles They boast Of representing OPP
posite principles. Think of opposites unit
ing. What would we represent then!
Nothing but an appetite Form sucn a
union and there will be nothing left that
isrworthy of the ambition OF any honoraoie
man: even the road to the flesh pots Will
be heightened. but If we stand by our COZ.
ors then success is in sight and the reuel
Of the people is near at hand.