The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-24
THE REAL TEST.
IL Democracy Prepared to Guarantee
Continuance of Prosperity

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal
I recall that eight years ago. when con-
nected with one of the largest man.
ufacturing industries in the country, Demo-
cratic leaders made extravagant promises.
and gave assurances Of increased prosper
ity and contentment in case their party
succeeded. Unfortunately. large numbers
of workingmen, not content to let good
enough alone listened to the siren song
of Democracy. There was no sign of the
impending panic, nor was there any pre-
diction that there was likely to be one.
until after election. Notwithstanding the
assertions of the observation-disclosures
Democrat, every business man knows that
the panic Of 1898 was caused by the pro-
tective tariff changes and the utter want
Of confidence by business men in Demo-
cratic legislation. Among hundreds or let
tiers from business institutions all over the
country, the present writer cannot recall
a single one in which the causes OF dis
tress were not attributed TO the reasons
already mentioned. Letters there were.
too. requesting the cancellation Of orders
already submitted.
Strange is IL not. that the very same
Democrats who blamed the coinage of sill
YER for the panic Of 1893, should recon-
mend the same remedy for 1896? The In
constancy of the leaders of the Democracy
is monstrous, and only their prominence
In a once great party saves them from uni
versal ridicule and shame.
The foregoing refers 10 the past; now for
the future. No Democrat dares deny the
general prosperity. Not even the shameful
conspiracy OF INSCRIPTIONS political pirates
10 precipitate great strike and arouse
discomfort. can deny the present healthy
condition Of commerce. The Republican
party pledges itself that IL IL Is returned
TO power the present condition will con-
tine four years more. The paramount issue
| 10 every workingman Is the prosperity OF
| the country, the ways and means by
which he may be able 10 support his lam
| lily and save money. Imperialism, that
grewsome phantom mask, Is only an Incl
| dental 1t is not enough 10 him that Bryan
/ promises 10 annihilate trusts ana upset es-
| tablished institutions generally Does IL
| ever occur to the Democrat that I'm this
| great period OF transition--of revolution,
| If you will-the workingman Is apt 10
starve. with his family, I'm poverty and
distress? VIII the Democrats do anything
| for him In the meantime! On, no. All
| the prominent ones, those who assisted
| in the process OF national deception. VIII
| be provided for In compensative of1ces.
and any inquiring Democratic wor1ingman
| will be told that the Republicans are re-
| sponsible for the condition or the country.
| Every intelligent citizen knowns, the DEM
| ocratic leaders know, that panic IL sure
| TO follow the election of Bryan, and that
| thousands of workingmen will be Idle. But
| Bryan has his excuse prepared already
| He said in Tomlinson Hall. The Repub-
licans are morrgaging the future for pres
| en-. prosperity" / can see IL as plainly
| as In 1892 Idle workingmen, soup houses.
bread riots. silent factories. crime. misery,
| and shrieking above Il all, the voice of the
| demagogue: THE Republicans are TO
| blamei'
Now. here is the proposition which every
| voter should consider, and to which he
should demand an answer. not an evasive
answer, but straightforward pledge from
| every candidate for Office In the national
| councils: Are you prepared TO pledge
yourself and party that II you are elected
| 10 office the present prosperous Industrial
| condition will continue, and. II you are
elected. are you prepared 10 take upon
yourselves the responsibility Of panic or
Industrial calamity after your party Is In
power?'' The Republican party Is already
pledged 10 continue the present conditions
| what about the Democratsg ID NJ
Indianapolis, Ind. Sept. p.