The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-06
Ex-Governor AItgeld Fires OF a Few
POpOcratic Fireworks Before
1000 Brooklyn Admirers.
w. ]. BRYAN WRITES LETTERS
AND DEMOCRATS AT WASHINGTON
MAKE A SILVER DECLARATION.
Mr.. Bayard Speaks in wprOnt of indie
Dendence HaII-CIeVeIand'S Name
Kissed by Tammanyites.

NEW YORK, July 5.-Ex-Governor John
p. Altgeld, of Illinois, addressed about 1000
people in the Academy of Music Brooklyn,
to-day The meet g was under the aus
pces of the Democratic League of Kings
county. Henry George presided and intro
duced Mr.. Altgeld, who was greeted with
hearty applause, which broke out repeated
ly as he proceeded with his address. He
said in part: To-day the most wonderful
nation on earth is in distress Its children
are suffering and its foundation stones are
slipping away. A whole generation has
paid at the war debt and has reduced it by
One-half. Yet such has been the govern
mental policy that to-day it will require
twice as much of our products to pay the
remainder as would have been necessary to
pay it all when it was created Being a
producing and debtor nation it was a crime
to legislate exclusively in favor of the cred
itor classes of Europe and thus destroy the
purchasing power of our people. Every
great abuse is intertwined with the money
question and you cannot ignore it; for it
fixes the limitations on enterprises and ma
terial prosperity. There must ultimately
come a system of finance Or exchange that
will have a philosophic basis and will not
restrict human effort. But until this does
come we demand the retroaction of the BIZ
metallic system as 1t formerly existed in
our country because it was the best thus
far given the world.
Effects follow causes in the economic
and commercial world as they do in the
physical world. The paralysis of our coun-
try has been produced by certain causes.
to produce the same effects. We were
promised prosperity it has not come, and it
requires no prophet to see that under eX-
listing conditions no permanent prosperity
can come. The forces of destruction are
still at work gathering the substance of the
nation into the hands of the few. The
that if he would only have confidence and
go to work he would be we'll But in spite
of this he is unable to rise. Suppose he
did. Suppose that a temporary stimulant
could locate a temporary activity? 1t would
be along old lines it would be in harmony
with those forces that paralyzed us. The
patient would soon collapse a second time
and then the case would be hopeless. A
squirt of activity under Mckinley conditions
means the more certain death of free insti-
buttons; it means that the poison of cor
ruption shall go on until every organ Of the
body is destroyed.
The universal corruption that is to-day
destroying our country comes from the con-
centration of capital, and the alarming aS-
pect is that it is practiced by men who talk
nation of the public 1t is idle to talk
about purifying the government so long as
men of influence and position offer vast
sums to corrupt it. Cut off the hand that
offers a bride and you will end corruption.
We must devise some way or removing
overwhelming temptations on the one hand
and of distributing to all men the benefits
and advantages flowing from the process
of concentration. AS power never limits it
self we must find method of curbing it.
eff asked whether the government Will
take the railroads establish referendum,
say you do not know, but that every step
which may become necessary to save tree
government and restore happiness In this
land will be taken; say that if necessary to
do so the government will not only take the
railroads, but every monopoly ana concen-
ira ton of property which interferes with
either the rights or the welfare of the peo-
pie.
neutral party; the manipulatOrs who wished
to use it as a convenience did not want
it to stand for anything. There were in
terests that seemed to control both parties
This the easiest way of controlling
national legislation. Had there been posi-
tive compact and aggressive minority party
standing for principle the cry of distress
would not be heard in this land to-day
Had there been such a party the Stand
ard Oil Trust never could have nominated
the same man three times in succession for
the presidency. Trading politicians made
this possible. Compromises, traders and
neutral men never correct abuses. never
found or save free institutions and never
fight for human rights. Only men of con-
viction and courage can save this land.
Unfortunately we seem to have been
slowly and unconsciously losing our per-
sonal independence Through the scramble
for the dollar, the longing for position and
the dread of criticism We are becoming
cowardly in conscience in thought and &C
ton, and are losing our birthrights.
mo other country has drawn so much
from the StOrehOuSeS of Omnipotence as
has ours. In all that makes wealth, great
ness or glory we have been overloaded.
Limitless riches are within our grasp, CEN
turtles of happin SIS within our reach.
A kindly Father bids go forth and enjoy
the estate. He has prepared for US
Meantime we have fallen into the hands
of the despoiler and the poison of political
leprosy is entering our blood. If we submit
all is lost; if rise in our manhood and
crush the enemy. it will give a new in
SEPARATION to mankind. 1t will be a new
declaration of Independence, broader and
deeper than that of our forefatheres.
In every State the people are aroused;
they see their condition growing worse;
they see the hope of their children disap-
pearing; they see poverty hanging over the
future; they see the black flag of hunger
floating over some of the richest nations
of Gods earth and they crying for
Justice My friends, that cry will free the
American people. Even if we should be
borne down again and again the voice of
humanity will arise from the dust and
drive the money changers out of the tenn
pie and the traitors out of the land. The
Benedict Arnold of 1880 sleeps on English
soil. Let the Benedict ArnOds of this age
make their graves beside him..