The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-20

the issues of national interest, and his
speech, the recognized keynote, re-
ceived close attention throughout. He
said:
Since the first party convention in
these United States, there was never
one gathered together under such
hopeful and auspicious circumstances
as those which surround us today.
United, proud of the achievements of
the past four years, our country pros
porous and happy, with nothing to re-
gret and naught to make us ashamed,
with q record spotless and clean, the
Republican party stands facing the
dawn, confident that the ticket it shall
present will command public approval,
and that in the declaration of it's prin-
cples and it's purposes, it Will voice
the aspirations and hopes of the vast
majority of American freemen.
We need mo omen but our COuntryS
cause" yet there is significance in the
fact that the convention is assembled
in this hostoric and beautiful city,
where we first assumed territorial re-
sponsibilities, when our fathers, CEN
tury and quarter ago, promulgated
the immortal Declaration of lndepen-
den =
T spirit of justice and liberty that
animated them found voice three
quarters of a century later in this same
city of Brotherly Love, when Fremont
led the forlorn hope of united patriots
who laid here the foundations of our
party and put human freedom as its
cornerstone. 1t compelled our ears to
listen to the cry of suffering across the
shallow waters of the Gulf two years
ago While we observe the law of ma
tions and maintain that neutrality
which we owe to great ana trlendly
government. the same spirit lives today
H., limo .Af GN-tD "a
cherish for the brave men now fight
ing for their homes In the. Veldts of
South Africa. 1t prompts us in our
determination to give the dusky races
of the Philippines the blessings of good
government and republican insttu-
tions, and finds voice in our indignant
protest against the VIOLENT suppression
of the rights of the colored man in the
south. That spirit will survive in the
breasts of patriotic men as long as
the nation endures; and the events
of the past have taught us that 1t can
find it's fair and free and full express
sion only in the principles and policy
of the Republican party.
FIRST PLEASANT DUTY.
The first pleasant duty of this great
convention, as we'll as its instructive
impulse, is to send a message of affec-
tionate greeting to our leader and our
country's President, William Mckin-
ley. In all that pertains to our vel
fare in times os peace, his genius has
directed us. He has shown an unerr-
ing mastery of the economic problems
which confront us, and has guided us
out of the slough of financial disaster,
impaired credit and commercial stag
nation, up to the high and safe ground
of national prosperity and financial
stability. Through the delicate and
trying events Of the late war he stood
firm, courageous and conservative,
and under his leadership we have
emerged triumphant, our national
honor untarnished, our credit unas-
sailed and the equal devotion of every
section of our common country to the
welfare of the republic cemented for
ever. Never in the memory of this gem
GRAFTON has there stood at the head OF
the government truer patriot, wiser
or more courageous leader, or better
example of the highest type of Ameri-
can manhood. The victories of peace
and the victories of war are alike in
scribed upon his banner. Those of us
whose pleasure and whose duty have
called us from time to time into his
presence, know how freely he has
spent and been spent in his cOuntry's
service: but the same vigorous man.
hood and clear and patriotic vision ami
mate him as of old, and give us con-
fidence and trust for the future of on!
repuDllc, because MS mana VIII Sulut
us, and his genius direct.
DEMOCRACY AND DISASTER.
When Mr.. Mckinley became presi-
dent he took the reins of government
after four years of Democratic admin
istration. For the first time in more
than a generation Democracy had full
sway, with both houses of congress in
party accord with the executive. No
summary of the unmerciful disasters
of those four years can convey an idea
of tithe of the ruin they wrought.
More than 10 National banks closed
their doors, with liabilities reaching 20
millions wool and all farm products
which tariffs could affect, lost tens of
millions in value; farm mortgages
were foreclosed by thousands through
out the great West: our agricultural
exports shrunk in value; the balance
of trade which had been in our favor
turned ruinously against us; the Ma
tional treasury was depleted of its
gold reserve; our government bonds
were sold to syndicates at far below
their market value before or since
and our steadily declining revenues
We're insufficient TO meet the neces-
Sary expenses of conducting the gov
ernment. If capital alone had suf-
fered, the loss would have been great
but not irremediable. Unfortunately
those who rely upon their daily labor
for their sustenance and their families
dependent upon them, constituting the
great mass of the American people
were made to feel heaviest this burden
of disaster. Nearly one-third of the
laboring population of the United
States were thrown out of employment
and men by thousands, able and will
ing to labor, walked the highways OF
the land camoring for work or food
Four years of commercial misfor-
tune enabled our industries to meet
in a measure. these changed and de.
pressed conditions, but when Presi-
dent Mckinley was inaugurated the
country was in a state more deplora'
BILE than had existed for a generation
DIFFICULTIES FACED.
Facing these difficulties, the presi,
dent Immediately upon his inaugu'
ration convened congress in extra ses
sion, and in a message of force and
lucidity, summarized the legislation es
sential to our National prosperity. The
industrial history of the United States
for the past four years is the tribute
To the wisdom of his judgment. 1t /:
quickly epitomized.
The tariff measure under which W,
are now conducting business was pre-
ceded by an unusual volume OF i'm
portations based upon common knowl
edge that certain duties were to bC
raised the bill met the popular de
mand that duties on many of the ne
cessaries of life should be lowered anc
not raised; advances in invention anC
new trade conditions made IL unneces
sary and unwise 70 revert to the higher
tariff provisions of the law of 1890
the increases in the revenue provision.
were slight. Yet, notwithstanding al