The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
REPLY TO WATTERsON.
MIR. Thomas Pleads for Organism and
the Cuuse of silver.


DENVER, Col, Jan. 7-Governor-eIect
Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado, delivered
the principal address before the Jacksonian
Club this evening. Governor-elect Thomas,
in the course of his address, replied to the
recent editorial Of Henry Watterson, in the
Louisville Courier-Journal, in which the lat
ter suggested that Admiral Dewey and Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee be made the Democratic NOM
inees for 1860, with the platform. THE stars
and stripes-GOd bless them" Governor
Thomas said in part:
Bourbon density is said to be proverbiaI
1t polarizeS in the political atmosphere Of
Colo Democracy Wnich biandly assumes that
the national organization IS ready 10 toss the
relns nom the drivers box TO those whom
the vehicle but yesterday ran over. Old
horse sense sitting in the rocker is dilap-
ldated when 1t asserts either that the
economic issues OF the last campaign are
Obsolete or that the leadership of that time
is not the leadership of 1889. 1t may be that
IL 1919 Democracy viii find inspiration in The
name of the great admiral; IL may be that
the events OF the ensuing period Will point
To him as its logical candidate; 1t may be
that General Lee or some other conspicuous
military hghter VIII stand as his associate,
not that the boilers of 1896 may be per-
suaded to return, not that their views or
opinions must be accepted, but that through
such leadership the principles Of the Chicago
platform may be enduring. But If il be true
that the political platforms are formulated
by political hypOcrites and predeStined to
abandonment, and that Democracys sole
pledge for 1900 should be the stars and
stripes-BOd bless them what assurance
can we give that any pledge. involved even
IN such catch-phrase, viii not be disre-
garded?
III we have lost all the devotion to our
party principles and our political duty is
performed by resorting to any device which
promises victory it were better to adopt
Colonel Sellers platform and go in for the
III ffnu - MON 10 fsav,
some political meaning, and in sentiment 1t
IS fully equal TO its more graceful but not
less attractive WattersOnian imitation.
We are warned that the Republican lead
ers are not going to handicap themselves
with any ancient party rubbish. Hence 1t
is argued that we should not only initiate
but support them in our desertion of party
principles We are told that at the oppor-
tune moment Mckinley and Wheeler will
mafcn down TO the footlghts 10 the tune
OF The Land We Love, or words to that
effect. If national politics have descended
TO the SOng-and-o2nCe level of negro min
strelsy. one set OF end men will serve as
wen as another. We are not concerned as
10 the names of the performers if the song
and jig be satisfactory Indeed. if such an
attitude Is To be assumed by the Republican
IStftN IN 1SVO We should SpuTn the SuggeS-
zion that we initiate it, Let US stand by
our cOlOrS, well knowing that if we are
right defeat shall be turned into victory
give us the credit for the sincerity Of our
conviction. We are not TO be diverted from
the protests Of the enemy in the open or
the enemy in disguise.
The issue of Tree silver may be relegated
to the limbo Of business shades but Il viii
not be consigned there by the wishes or the
assertions of those who fear or who con-
denim it. The men to whose keeping the
fortunes of our party were committed by its
last convention believe that its declarations
mean something They do not estimate its
principles by the changing currents of pub
&c sentiment or the shifting standards Of
expediency. They are building, not for
day or a generation, but for ali time. To
them defeat in 1900 means delay but not dis
aster. They welcome to their ranks
all who believe with US without regard TO
past affiliations. To such the right hand of
fellowship shall be extended. They invite
the return of those who led us astray in
other days and abandoned US when we as
sayed to return, but these should come in
sackcloth and serve their day of probation.
The purple of authority and the feast of
the fatted calf are not for the prodigal sons
of Democracy. When works meet for re-
pentance have been performed and due
atonement in the ranks have been made the
deserters of 1896 may again aspire 10 the
seats of the prophet and the law giver. Tn
I'll then the faithful only should be reward
ed with authority"