The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-01-14
ALTGELD CLOSES THE FEAST.
He Discusses "The Mission of
Minority Party.'

de Discusses "The Mission Of a
| Minority Party
Gov. Altgeld, the last regular speaker
| of the evening, discussed Character and
Mission of Minority Party" He said:
All great reforms, all forward move
ments of the human race. were born of,
were nurtured, rocked and reared by minor
ny parties. The minority party being free
from embarrassments can devote IFS hest
eHorts to the consideration of great prin-
ciples. Its mission is to discover the pole
star of eternal right and to meet the newly
developing wants and needs of our civiliza-
iOn
In 1884 the Standard Oil and other cor
porate interests came to Chicago and con-
trolled the Democratic convention. They
dld not want a Democrat, nor did they in
reality want a President. What they wanted
was registrar-sOme one who would do
tne1r bidding. They knew their man and
they got him. In 1888 the Standard Oil and
other trusts and great corporate interests
went to st. Louis and controlled the Demo-
cratic convention. In 1892 the Standard and
other trusts and great corporate interests
came to Chicago and controlled the Demo-
cratic convention
In 1896 the Standard Oil and the great
trusts and corporate interests came to Chi
cago to again control the party, but the
democracy Of America had shaken off its
stupor They proclaimed again the rights
OF humanity, they raised again the banners
SUI anu VI JdCkSOu, anu lHeY de-
clared that the Democratic party must again
stand for Democratic principles. They
adopted new declaration of Independence
and they selected for their standard-bearer
he who made the most remarkable campaign
ever witnessed by man.
We celebrate the birth of Andrew Jackson
because he stood erect in the sight of ON
Impotence and all the children of man and
dehed the forces Of plutocracy. 1t is be-
cause he stood for those doctrines that are
vital to free government. What is the stu
rogatlVe 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 present administration had tram
pied that principle into the mud and openIy
advocated that the Government should sur
render Its prerogative of issuing bills that
shall circulate as money to the cOrporatfons
temple and drove them out, and when the
plutocracy Of his day became insolent and
oppressive, as 1t is to-day, he declared:
by the eternal, the people shall rule this
land. and not the money power"
The present Federal administration. in
stead OF following the footsteps of Jackson,
had made complete surrender to the money
power. Yet, Notwithstanding these facts,
there will gather to-day at various places in
tms country some men who uphold and ap-
)laud the present administration for the |
course it has taken in insulting the memory |
II Jefferson and splitting upon the good |
lame of Jackson. who yet insist upon call |
ng themselves Democrats. We know we
stand for certain great principles. If we |
tand by ou- cOlors success Is in sight and |
ne relfef of the people is near at hand.