Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-09-29

district voters. Tho senator's speech in
full follows:
In absolute governments there is no
place for political parties, for the gov
crned are not consulted. But free. rep
resentative governments, such as ours
and England, are always. In one form
or another. party governments. To avoid
confusion and Reorganization, and TO Sc
cure unity and singleness of purpose. II
is essential that voters array themselves
into political parties. Party government
comes not like absolute kings, from above.
but comes from a majority OF the people
governed, and exists as their representa-
tive and exponent. From the beginning.
our government has been, In a greater or
less degree. n government of party, OF
varied name and kind. During the last
half of the nineteenth century the Ameri-
can people have. In the main, grouped
themselves into two great parties-the
Democratic and the Republican-and been
governed by the one or the other.
Since 1851 our presidents. with the ex-
ception OF two terms of Cleveland, have
been Republicans, and a majority OF the
senate remained Republican until 1889.
The house of representatives was Repuo-
lican until 1875. Democratic from thence
till 1881, Republican from then TIL 49,,
Democratic from that time until 1883.
Republican from then till 1891. Demo-
cratic from then till 1895. and Republican
since. 1t was only during the first W
years of Cleveland's last term that the
Democratic party had full control OF all
branches OF the government. Prior TO
1861 the Democratic party had. FOR many
years, held sway. During this time its
creed and chief policy was the main
tenance and extension Of slavery. and the
maintenance of free trade.
On both of these grounds. In 1861, the
paruhlfoan Marty tnDk iSGiip- and on THIS
issue came into being and power. Eman-
cipation from the thralldom OF the slave
power, and from the Industrial and eco
nomic thralldom OF the old world were
the aims and purposes of the Republican
party. TIC spread of slavery was to be
stayed, and American Industrial enter
prises were TO be encouraged. and receive
ample protection. The victory OF the Re-
publican party in 1860 led to the great
rebellion. the suppression OF which en-
crossed the energy OF the Republican par
ty and the people of the North from
1861 to 1865. Blu even during this period
of cruel war. the Republican party was
not wholly unmindful of it's peIce mission.
and the wants of the people. 1t passed
the homestead law, a protective tariff law.
and provided for the construction of the
Pacific railroad. and. greatest of all.
emancipated the slaves. thus removing
the great stumbling block to a recon-
structed Union.
During the War OF the Rebellion.
while the Democratic masses of the North
were In the main loyal. and did their
share in maintaining the supremacy OF
the Union. their leaders did not take that
course. but, from time 10 time. by various
obstructive measures. sought to hamper
the government in the prosecution OF ths
war. n in 1854 went so far as to favor
the abandonment OF the war and to seek
peace at any price. After the war came
the reconstruction of the South. the fund-
Ing and payment OF our great war debt
and the maintenance OF u financial
credit and q sound currency. In all these
matters the Democratic leaders acted as
o~bstructionists and sought to hamper and
embarrass our progress. They wanted
the Southern states back into the Union
Internationally, without any provision or
protection for the freedmen. They OPP
posel a just and necessary r~efunuing OF
our war debt: they retarded the resump-
ton of our specie payment and favored
an undue and unsafe imitation of our cur
rency. and, above all and at all times.
they were opposed to a protective tarin.
During this time the Republican party
conducted the war TO a successful issue.
emancipated and enfranchised the slaves.
reconstructed and brought back into the
Union the states In rebellion. paid. or
at a lower rate OF interest our
great war debt, resumed specie payment
and maintained the integrity OF u credit
and currency. and gave the American
manufactures, producer and iaoores ala
and protection through a protective
tariff.
when Cleveland took office on the 4th
of March. 1885, Republican tariff legisla-
ton was in force. and he found SAG
$40, 946 of surplus in the treasury. over
and above the 800. 100000 god redemption
reserve. Owing TO a Republican senate
he was unable to change our tariff policy,
and as a -onsequeuc there was a steady
surplus flowing into the treasury year
by year. and through which he was left
in no uneasiness as to his gold reserve.
as he was during his second term. Dur
the four years OF his administration
there was an average annual surplus of
about 100000, 900. derived from the reve-
nues of the government. in excess OF its
Expenditures. And although the balance
of trade was against us during the last
two years of his administration. and but
slightly In our avor during the first two
years-in all less a $40. 900. 900 In our
favor during his whole term-yet. owing
TO the large surplus In our treasury. he
had nc trouble with such \ surplus to
retain an ample gold redemption fund.
such large gold Withdrawals
from the treasury as occurred during his
last administration.
Clcyelen6 was succeeded in March, 1889.
by Harrison. who was one OF the ablest,
most conscientious and painstaxing-
though not the most popular III our pres
idents. A tendency TO Industrial stagna-
ton In certain lines. as well as the con-
tinued increase OF the surplus beyond the
wants of the government. clearly indi-
Gated that a revision OF our tariff was
necessary-a revision on protective lines.
This had been evident 10 the Republicans
for some time. but could not be accom-
plished or inaugurated as long as Cleve-
land and n Democratic house were in
power. Harrison's election brought with
II a Republican congress, which. at once.
proceeded. under the leadership of cur
great chieftain. William Mckinney, to re-
wise the tariff. The revision WAS made
on twofold lines; ul 10 afford ampler rto-
lection to many ~languishing industries.
m ca to reduce the revenues TO some
thing near the actual needs of the govern
ment. AS you all know, revenues can bc
reduced in one OF two ways, namely, by
charging the free ~list-opening the ioor
for foreign goods wider. which - the
Democratic way-or b. increasing peotec-
ton. n thus enabling impostations. and
f~ortifying the home market. which is the
Republican way. The Mckinley bill,
wh.ch became n law In October, 1890. was
largely based on this Republican idea of
reducing our revenues by increased pro-
lection. On ms ny lines ard in many
IL gave more protection. and while
IL removed the tariff on sugar, yet II took
care TO afford the sugar planter fair and
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