The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-14

delegates, Friends and H0n0red GueStS-
You have been welcomed as guests OF the
State. You have been welcomed guests
of the city. 1t is my privilege to welcome
you as guests of Republicans. Sixty years
ago Michigan was admitted into the Union
of States. Endowed with statehood on the
threshold of the most critical period of the
first century of the Republic, Michigan
boldly stood forth as a defender of the doc
trine of national unity. She opposed States
rights and secession and all the moral and
intellectual force of the State was hurled
against the false doctrine which foreboded
disunion and dishonor. The clash of arms
came. Michigan fought for the flag of the
Union. The conflict over peace was re-
stored. In this drama of life and death and
resurrection Michigan took an important
part. on the pages of history written
the names Of heroes who have madt Mich
igan a synonym of courage and onstancy,
patriotism and progress. The names of
Cass, Mason. Woodbridge, Fetch, Ransom,
Bigham, Blair. Cooley and Chandler are
immortal in Michigan annals. The dia-
mond jubilee celebration of Queen Vic
toria's reign was recently celebrated in
manner beyond description. Sixty years a
sovereign is less glorious than sixty years
sovereign State. On the one hand an en-
pire with one sovereign, on the other
State where all are sovereigns. This year
is Michigan's diamond jubilee. We ask you
TO join us in its celebration. Our royalty is
our hospitality our crown is our Republic
anism. From the baptism of the party at
jackson TO the present time Michigan has
been Republican In every election save two.
Here RepUblcanism has ever found a home.
In the memorable campaign of 1896, when
the IdlIn OF many SeeneQ TO WAIVER anu
when the loyal were put to the severest
test, Michigan rolled up a Republican ma
jority Of sixty thousand. The Michigan
Republican League shares in this great vic
tory. Five hundred clubs with sixty thou
sand voters, is political force of no mean
power. Probably 50 per cent. of the fve
thousand new voters in Michigan last year
voted the Republican ticket. From what
ever State you hail, we bid you welcome to
this feast, held in special commem93ra ttnn
of our recent victory. Democratic depres-
sion was checked last November. u Qer
the guidance of strong hands brave hearts
and level heads the disabled ship of state
will be safely piloted to prosperity. Let
not our hearts be faint nor our feet grow
weary. With our eyes fixed on the goal;
let us all re-enter the contest determined
to supplement recent victory with an
Overwhelming triumph. -
The president of the National League -.
D. Woodmansee. of Cincinnati, then dellV-
cred his annual address. The address, IN
part, follows:
WOODMANSEE'S ADDRESS.
LAS a part of our deliberations at this
convention / would suggest the proprlety
of discussing the proposition as to whether
it would not be wise to establish hXed
day Of the year which TO hold our ma
tonal conventions 1 would also ADVISE
that this convention recommend to the va
rious State Leagues that the state conVeh-
tons of all the leagues throughout the
Union be held on the same day. Beng
thus held, that day would present the
league prominently before the people of the
country in every State and such concert
of action would bring the various state
organizations in closer touch with each
other. They would seem to nave coin-
mon purpose BY having the entlre army
in the field upon one particular day would
very clearly show our continued develop
ment in power and influence. l would sug-
gest as the day for this extraordinary
event the birthday of the father of the Re-
publican party-Abraham Lincoln.
Il am justified in saying that the league
is growing In a number of States few
years ago our party leaders looked on 1t
with suspicion. Now they recognize It's
usefulness and gladly encourage and sup
port it, We have a number of distinguished
statesmen who have hardly realized the
fact that there exists in this country me
National Republican League. Ihey nave
unsatsfied ambitions, and are sOmeWhaC
disappointed at the slow progress they nave
made in national politics My advice 10
them is to get in line and not OVerlook
the league men in this country. who with
a comradeship of two and one-halt million
members. have no axes to grind, but natur-
allv think more of their friends than they
do of their enemies. OF the large number
of distinguished Republicans who have
been friends of the league there is one
who stands out conspicuous among All
the rest. That man is William Mckinney.
AS organization the League cannot as
sst any candidate for office until nomlna-
tons are duly made, but as individuals us
members naturally remember their frlendS.
AS a consequence William Mckinley to-day
is President of the United States: That
magnificent pageant given in Washington
at his Inauguration on the 4th OF March
last said to have been the most remarka-
able in Nations history: was composed
in large part by members OF this League OF
Republican Clubs. They were there, not
az paid officers men of the army or navy.
but as the volunteer representatives OF this
army which last fall went out on the held
of political battle and fought with Vigol
that knew no WEAKNESS. with a courage
that was a stranger to defeat. Our snare
in the remarkable victory of 1896 adds en-
during laurels to the cause OF CLUB organ
ization throughout the United States.
1.-THE people of this country are 10 be
congratulated upon the fact that during
these trying times we have Republican,
President at Washington. The question -
often asked by our political adVerS1rIeS'
What has President Mckinley done| We
answer that he has unfurled the stars and
stripes on the island of Hawaii. BY that
act he will reclaim our countrys territory
and our Nations honor. He has made IL
possible to pass a Republican tariff law
when mis- party in the minority, which,
indeed is an accomplishment almost UNI
known in Am ,rican politics. He has taught
our people that our President is one of lis.
and for us. That there should be no in
surmountable wall between our chief ruler
and bis subjects.
THE CONTEST OF 1897.
1.-THE contest of 1897 is already upon us. 4
In various States the conventions of both
parties have assembled, nominated their
candidates, adopted their platforms, and
the people are again asked to give voice to
their preferences. The Democratic party
adheres to the Chicago platform. 1t has
learned nothing, it forgets nothing. The
platform is as bad, if possible, AS the party
which adopted it. 1t does not appeal to
the patriotism of the American people. "A
Democrat is never so happy when he
thinks he is miserable Never so eXuber-
ant as when recOunting the misfortunes of
others. The Republican party reaffirms the
St. Louis platform, wherein it declared for
honest money, a protective tariff and reel
procity. The old issues again before
us. Democrats hope to win because of diff
ference among Republicans. Because. as
they say, prosperity has not yet arrived,
and / believe that our cOuntrymen are i'm
on us and that in due season the proph-
ecies of Republican leaders will be realized.
But our party must be awake to the stu
alton. The wants of our people are few,
but they are imperative. They will trust
us as long as we keep faith with them.
They have right to expect good times.
They have q right to believe that will
present Congress could not render a more
patriotic service than to give attention to
this important question. That statesman
who vigorously raises his voice in favor of
protection against the pauper labor of Eu-
rope, and sits quietly by and sees those
same laborerS come upon our shores and
drive our workmen from shop and factory,
his duties a member of the great Amer
lean Congress. This country, and the Re
publican party. suffering more to-day
as the result of bad legislation, or the want
of good legislation on this subject than
from any other afflction. We nave always