Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-02
DEMOCRATIC MEETING.

son ana /. -. Eltcner.
La response to the announcement,
quite number of citizens gathered at
the Opera House last night to hear the
speeches Of several prominent gentle
men of this district. Prof. Dunn's
band was in attendance which dis
coursed enliveping music before the
meeting was called to order and after
each speaker had taken his seat.
Among those on the stage, apart from
the speakers, vera Messrs. Leonard
Marbufy, o. F. Carter, J. A. Marshall,
K. Kemper and George Drewry.
Shortly after o'clock Mr.. Marbury
called the meeting to order and in a
few appropriate remarks introduced
Hon. John F. Rixey, Congressman
from this district. Mr.. Rixey was re-
ceived with loud applause. He began
his speech by saying that as storm
tossed mariner proceeds at times to
examine his compass 10 see where he
has been drifting. so it behooves peo-
die to occasionally take a retrospect in
order to ascertain whittier they have
been drifting. The speaker then pro-
ceeded to give resume of the history
the country has made during the pres.
ent year--the war, it's results, the an
nexation of territory, ETC., and the
peace which has followed. He pictured
the results of the acquisition of Porto
Rico ard predicted that Cuba, of her
own volition, would eventually place
herself under the protection of the
Stars and Stripes. Mr.. Rxey said that
he looked with complacency upon this
as while uuder the Monroe doctrine we
could not allow any other coun-
Try to rule over those islands, the
United States was of all other nations
the proper one to assume sovereignty.
In regard to the Philippines, however,
different matter altogether was pre-
scented. They were in another hemi-
sphere, 6,400 miles from our shores,
while 400 islands of the group were
inhabited by mixed population. To
acquire them would be marked de-
parture from the Monroe doctrine, and
from his standpoint it would be an IN
wise procedure. We had no use for
them; besides, the speaker was opposed
to paying Spain for the privilege of
raising the flag of this country over
them. He argued to show that the
proposition was illogical, and quoted
history to prove that no such thing
was expected of conquering nation,
referring especially to the case of AL
sace-Lorraine after the Franco-Prussian
war. Mr.. Rixey said he would not
discuss what brought on the war, but
he asserted that had the advice of the
democrats been followed all trouble
could have been satisfactorily settled
and war avoided. 1t had come, how
ever, and ell were naturally proud of
the results, especially of the activ
heroic and successful parts played by
southern men during the short conflict.
He dwelt especially upon the valor Of
General Wheeler in the fight before
Santiago. He alluded to the embroglio
between the Third regiment and Gen
eral Butler, aud mentioned among the
pleasant instances Of the war the fact
that Mr.. Park Aguew, the chairman of,
the republican, committee, warmly
espousod the cause of the regiment.
Mr.. Rixey then PROCEEDED to excoriate
the administration for its failure to
provide for the men who had gone
forth at their country's call, how they
had languished in camps and hospitals
to the everlasting disgrace of
the powers that be, and which
had rendered those powers re-
pulsve to all civilized people.
He then proceeded to dissect the pres.
ent administration for its fragrant mis-
management of the vital interests OF
the nation by its tariff measures, its
open opposition to the proposed income
tax, the fact that it taxed the working
man at the same rate as the millionaire,
its protection of monopolies, trusts and
other institutions which grind down
the millions of poor people and increase
the wealth of the opulent. He follow
ed up the history Of the party during
the Mckinley ADMINISTRATION, and went
into an extended explanation of their
currency ideas. His speech through.
out was logical, and he made the issues
which now confront the country clear
and comprehensive. In conclusion in
referring to the conflict of 1900 he pre-
dicted that the people would hold the
administration responsible for the pres
ent order OF things and by their ballots
express their disapprobation of its
course. Mr.. Rixey took his seat amidst
loud applause.
Mr.. r. W. Moore followed Mr.. Rixey,
and be made very interesting and
spirited speech. Among other things
he said affairs are the same now as in
1896, and the Chicago platform will be
that of 1900. 1t would, however, be
more defined, and propositions would
come from both sides. In succinct
and forcible manner Mr.. Moore gave q
history of the issues which confronted
the country in 1896, and said the demo
cratic party would sgain in 1900 stand
for free silver. He went into a critical
exposition of the unwise and unjust
methods of the republican party in re-
gard to the currency and banking ideas,
and said the spirit of Andrew Jackson
should animate every member of the
democratic party at this present time.
He showed the fallacies of the Gage
bill which would sweep silver out of
existence and in it's stead issue
9 billion of bonds, and showed the hor-
ror; which would follow the enactment
of such law. Mr.. Moore spoke hope.
fully of the result of 1900, and said
should the Supreme Court refuse to re-
verse itself in the matter of the income
tax. the interests of the common people
might at some time bring about con-
stitutional amendment which would
provide for this equitable measure. He