Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-20
CATO SELLS ADDRESS.
Before the Democratic State conven.
tion August rs, 1860.

The following address was delivered
before the democratic state convention
by the temporary chairman, Hon.
Cato Sells, of Vinton:
Gentlemen of the Convention: l APP
preciate the honor conferred upon me
by the state committee and congratu-
late you, gentlemen of the convention,
upon this suspicious gathering of
Iowa,s dmocracy. This convention is
the best evidence of the reason why the
republican press of the state has for
several months given much attention
10 my speech and your deliberations,
and very much mistake your purpose
If you do not give them abundant rea-
son for even greater activity in the flu
ture than we have given them in the
past.
The fact that held a federal posi-
ton under the Cleveland administration
and have not recently given public ex-
preston to my views, is PROBABLY tne
reason why have been frequently. and
sometimes very wrongfully, mlsrepre-
scented. and for that reason more es-
pecially am 1 glad of this opportunity.
The original line of denarkation be-
tween the two great political parties
was SO plainly drawn that there can be
no misunderstanding as to the cause
of their formation or the purpose of
their existence. The federalist. whig
no-nothing ana republican parties were
conceived by. and have always served
the purpose of, an Angla-American ar
fstocracy. while the democratic party
was originated by the author OF the
declaration of independence. and repre-
sents the real genius of American insti-
t'iions.
/, The republican party is the legitimate
out-growth of paternalism in govern
ment, and is responsible for both class
legislation and anarchy, while demo-
crazy constitutes the essence of govern
ment Of the people. by the people and
for the people, in which an absolute
acquiescence in the decision of the ma
1ority is the vital principle from which
there is no appeal but to force, the i'm
mediate parent of despotism. Demo-
cracy is the only hope of Washington's
and Jefferson's wise and successful for
egn policy-peace. commerce and hon.
est friendship with all nations. entang-
ling alliances with none-and for the
enlargement and enforcement of the
Monroe doctrine until it is established
and recognized by all nations of the
world. Democracy means speedy re-
turn to the simplicity of the fathers
of the republic. and the dethronement
of everybody and everything which
would put the dollar above the man.
1t means that once again the time has
come in American politics when no man
can truly represent democracy who will
not subordinate personal ambitions and
acquisitions to the public veal, and
who has not the moral courage to burn
his bridges behind him and walk out
into the open to join the crusade
against the avaricious tendencies Of the
times.
take 1t that no one will seriously
question that the republican party has
closely adhered to the principles OF
Alexander Hamilton, nor, lamentable
as it may be. that the democratic party
has not at all times been faithful to the
teachings of Thomas Jefferson, and I
am one of those who believe that the
mocracy to realization of it's depart
ure and inspired the country with an
invincible patriotic citizenship.
Like decision of court of last re-
Sort the platform of the national con-
vention is the law of the party until
superseded by another platform framed
by the same authority, and controversy
here as to reaffirmation of the Chicago
platform would be both unwise and
inopportune.
Just what the democratic national
i
know, but firmly believe that it will
be along the lines of the last platform
with such an Indictment of the McKin-
ley regime for its mal-administration,
class preferment and unconstitutional
conduct as to insure the support Of ev-
cry citizen who has been, is now, or
wants to be a Jeffersonian democrat.
And sincerely hope that no demo-
cratic convention will subject itself to
y,v,1 DN1,s oh
but that all will be respected in the ex-
preston Of, and contention for. an
honest conviction, and that when the
national convention has again spoken
the will of the majority will be acquies-
ced in by reunited and irresistible
democratic party, and thus make GER
tain the supremacy and consequent
prosperity of the llberty-loving law.
abiding, home building and Industrious
masses over the snow favored classes
who. for selfish purposes, advocate or
tolerate the prostitution of the execu-
tive. legislative and judicial powers of
the government, the federal constitu-
ton, Monroe doctrine and Declaration
of Independence.
1t is one of the highest attributes of
American citizenship. as 1t is one of the
fundamental principles of our party,
that every citizen shall at all times, and
uLueT I'LL circumstances, ne Iully pro- |
tected in the exercise of his sovereignty,
and while we regret it, there is abso-
1utely no justification for condemna-
ton of those who. because of a sense
of duty, left our ranks in 1896. and am
certain that voice the prevailing feel
ing of the regular democracy, when I
earnestly invite them back to their
democratic home; but to those who,
with malice aforethought, either di:
rectly or indirectly. helped to make re-
publican supremacy possible, because
they thought and still think that party
more serviceable to their personal ends,
say there is but one republican party
n this country and the democratic
narty cannot, and "by the eternal"
shall not serve their selfish purposes.
4. remember only too we'll the phari-
saical attitude and assumed patriotic
expression of the republican self-ap-
pointed guardians of thu national honor
who, to further party ends, did, by
voice or pen, pat our democratic broth
ers on the back. and III tones, which, If
they could now hear would cause them
remorse of conscience, say: you are
the ideal citizen" you put country
above party" And now that they have
accomplished their purpose, they turn
the deaf ear and proceed to forget their
patriotic demonstrations and false de-
votion, while with the fruits of their
deception, in extra session. they enact
the laws most offensive to the new
found allies and reserve their oromisad