Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-22
Attorney General PresideS at New Jer.
sey State Republican Convention.
SPIRITED ADDRESS 70 THE DELEGATES
He Defends the Conduct of the
War With, Vigor.
ATTACKS FREE SILVEB

1
committee. Mr.. Murphy introduced Attor-
ney General Griggs as the choice OF the
| committee as presiding officer Of the con-
Vention. The choice was ratified by the
convention and Mr.. Griggs was given an
| ovation and then made the following
speech:
| Cen Griggs' speech.
appreciate profoundly this fresh testi-
mony of your good viii. l gladly accent
this opportunity to express TO you, sitting
as the triennial council of the republican
party of New Jersey. my undiminished
qualification at having been honored. three
years ego. by your choice as the instru-
ment by which the rule of the perverted
| democracy should be broken un and de-
| stroyed. That campaign was memorable
| ana glorious. and il prepared the way for
| that tremendous victory OF 1s.G when little
New Jersey gave $1,000 plurality for Nc
kinley and Hobart.
In casting your platform today YOU Will
nave othing to defend or apologize fer
The pledges of 1870 have been kept Our
state has been rescued from III, reign Of
the rings and the gangs Gamblers no
longer dictate ou- Laws or select our
| judges
The state house is no more subject to
| semi-annual lootirgs. The cCal bills are
| honest and many thousands Of dollars
| less per annum than they used to be.
our state institutions are run without
partisanship and the good effects of the
cbahSe can be seen on every hand. The
bench has been main ,ained bipartisan. In
| 1873 the cCUrI of Crro : and pp.als con-
sisted OF twelve democrats and four re-
publ!cans: now II il Compos ID Of an equal
number Of each, three Of the democratic
judges having been app5in.od under repub-
| hcau administration.
In the campaign Of 30 | told the people
| that We Were not promising 10 perform
wonders in government nor to work mira
cles, but simply to be honest. to give them
honest government. That promise mas been
kept, even our enemies bearing witness for
us. Those that were fami iar with the later
days, when the democratic state committee
ruled the state house and the halls of leg
islation, know of the pleasure and satisfac-
| tlOn with which the people have hreathed
thu pure air Of the capital since republican
legislatures have sat there. The thought
ful citizen will see also much Of positive
accomplishment in the work of the last
three yearS-wOrk that reflects credit upon
thu industry and legislative capacity of our
Representatives. Not, indeed, flashing and
ephemeral freaks of demagogv falsely
labeled as reform, but sober, substantial i'm
plCVements in the form and substance Of
our laws, the organization of our inferior
courts, and the codes that govern our small
communities, and an everpres-nt sense OF
responsibility and spirit of conservatism,
without which the legislativ. power is
more dangerous than despotism to the real
interests of a state.
Proud OF His Own Record.
I count it the proudest honor Of my life
that 1 was permitted, through your prefer
ment, to serve our state in some Of these
reforms, and hope you have rot deemed ms
unmindful Of my duty in conscnting to be-
come member of the council OF our repub-
lican President in the hour OF difficulty and
danger. l could not have consented had 1
not known L was leaving your interests in
safe hands.
Great events have happened since the last
gubernatorial convention met here three
years ago. History has been making, ard
the map OF the world has been altered. We
have lived within view of such a nurrying
procession of momentous occurrences that
mere local subjects are liable 10 he OBJ
scured. DO not forget though, that tho
government that concerns you most is that
of your immediate state and ncighDorhood.
Beware, lest fixing your eyes on distant
stars you stumble at your own doorstep.
L see no evidence that the potent factors
in democratic councils in New Jersey are
different from those of the old regime. The
good men and true have not been called
back and put in command. They have
rather been driven farther away. A return
to democratic rule would be d return to the
control Of the same leaders who were
pudiated three years ago 10y the better ele-
ment OF their party.
1t has been the happy fortune OF the re-
publican party to be found naturally and
spontaneously in harmony with The de-
mands of national patriotism in every great
crisis. When the internal oissensions over
slavery, after smoidering for half CEN
tury, burst into fame of war, there was
ready a republican party and a republican
President to uphold the integrity OF thu
Union and save it from destruction. " hen,
in 1896, the forces of reputation and imam
cial dishonor, combining with the elements
of socialism, disorder and riot. seized In
hysterical frenzy the badges Of democracy
and menaced the foundations Of our nation
al safety and honor, again there was ready
the republican party with Il platform and
candidates representing the true and hon
est principles of national life and safely,
and, again, in its success, was assured the
preservation of the vital spirit of the gov
ernment.
When recently the demands Of humanity
compelled us to intervene and end the bar
barities in Cuba, there was again a repub-
iican President who, though loving and
striving for peace, was t. be the director OF
the nations arms in contest which for
rapidity and faultlessness of execution has
never been equaled since wars began upon
the earth. ] refer TO these things not to
glory unduly in the achievements of the
republican party, but 10 point out this
fact: In each of these great contests this
party has by its patriotic and successful
attitude necessarily drawn to il many OF
its former opponents So il was in 1861 In
the contest two years ago for sound money
and the upholding of the authority Of the
federal courts, our party again became the
rallyfng line OF hosts Of democrats who
could no longer in good conscience remain
with their perverted organization. It was
by their help that New Jersey was able 10
Hobart. And in this latest time of storm
and stress, in the midst Of great perplexi-
ties and under the weight Of enormous re-
sponsibilities, II is a pleasant thing TO be
able to bear witness that our President has
retained the confidence and support OF
those who aided us in 1896. Ard more than
that, he has had the assistance of the adj
vice and counsel of many Of the RESPONSE
Bile leaders of the democracy. north and
south, loyalty and sincerely rendered with
out thought of partisan political differ
ences.
Presidents Proudest Achievement
When the record Of his administration
is maze up there will stand to the credi.
of President Mckinley no more proud or
gratifying achievement than this-that he
has won and kept the confidence of his
honorable political opponents. He has had
behind him the support Of the American
people with greater degree Of unanlmity
than any President since Washington.
The party and the adminisi ration which
has had the responsibility in this war,