Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-08-30
ADDRESS.

"S1hAShhh - LuO 4Otn ClECuiG-
-@-
ADDRESS.
OF Hon. Henry G. Davis. Temporary
Chairman of the Congressional Com
ventIon.
The chairman of the convention
introduced ex Senator Fl. G. Davis,
as temporary chairman. He was
well received, and said substantially
as follows:
gentlemen of the convention:
Your committee has honored me
by selecting me as temporary chair
man. In the name of the people OF
Elkins, I greet YOU with a hearty
welcome. There is a committee, of
which Hon. c. w. Daley is chair
man, that will answer all call for
information.
Weare here to exercise the rights
of a free and independent people.
that is to select n man of our choice
to represent us in the next Congress.
The man you select ought, and l
hope Will be, elected. For the good
of the country the Democrats ought
TO have a majority in the next Con
gress. There are q number of i'm
portant questions tn come before
the next session If Congress, amoug
them the foreign policy of the Uni
ted States as to the Philippines, a
large standing army, and tie finau
cial question. When the Democratic
party was in power the Republicans
were for civil service retorm-now
they oppose it.
With peace, VIC ought to reduce
the excessive tariff and internal
revenue taxes, Including the war
stamps.
Republicans are for the c%oneentra
tiQn of power in The hands of Il few
and those few are to be Republicans.
Democrats are for local self govern
ment and home ruie.
These arc, 1 think ome Of the
leading questions in the coming
campaign, and for next Congress to
consider.
We should, 1 think, oppose i'm
perialism in all of it's forms. I'm
pcrial governments claim all things
belong to them, and what the people
have is as u gift. The Democrats
of our free and independent govern
ment say all belongs to the people,
and that they are the soyereigus.
The great, good. wise and patrio-
tic Washington, as we'll as all those
who fought and worked with him
for III liberties and our form of
government, warned us against &C.
curing foreign territory and entan
clements. That advice is as good
to day as when cur forefatbers gave
it. Let US adhere to the Monroe
doctrine. Under it we have grown
great, rich and happy, aud WHY
change now. l feel sure the Repub
lican foreign policy. especially as to
the Philippines, win embarrass and
bring trouble upon us 1t will also
serve as an eXcus for large stand.
ing army, with all its evils ard
great expense.
As to the financial question, the
Republicans told US before the last
election, elect Mckinley aud we will
have a boom such rs tie country has
never had. Instead we have had a
war costing thousands of lives, and
millions of dollars. with taxes high
er than have eve been known in this
country.
The Republicans tell US they are
for sound money, and that is gold
alone. No silver for them. Silver
has been part of the money of this
government from its beginning, and
[ hope it will continue tn he. Take
away silver, and we would contract
or lessen the money of the country
about mi third, or more than four
hundred miliiona. This would sure
ly bring distress upon us, The
single gold standard Of money is oil
English and German creation,
adopted by the Republicans. They
are the creditors, and want the debt
or class to pay in the dearest mon
ey they can. 1t is u conceded fact
nearly allthose who have heretofore
been Democrats, are now acting
with the Republicans.
We should prize cur local self
government as We donur homes, our
liberties and our lives We should,
and L hope will win in the
coming election.
Let Us adhere to the Washington
Monroe doctrine, and avoid foreign
COmOlicatiop1 ornociaV- III
philippines. 1 feel sure their posses
sion would bring upon us foreign.
with the loss of thousands
Of American lives aud untold mil
lions of money, and be as g drove
OF Jumbo elephants en- our hands,
Hampshire Review.