The Irish standard., 1900-06-23
THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR.

Never in the history of the Repub-
lican party did SO many representatives
of ill-gotten wealth meet together in ma
tional convention than at Philadelphia
during this week. Owing to the fact
that Mckinley had no competitor for
the presidency and that his nomination
for second term was foregone con-
clusion there was no necessity for any
colored delegates from the South to
give their votes for a consideration;
and for the first time in many years
they were conspicuous by their absence,
only comparatively small number OF
them being present as delegates. 1t
was also quite noticeable that the pro-
ducing and toiling masses of the coun-
try were not represented at the gather
ing. Only the plutocratic element and
its llenchncn were in evidence. and
everything was cut and dry for the dele
gates by that defender OF the trusts,
Marcus Aurelius Hanna.
The opening prayer by Presbyterian
minister, invoking the blessing of God
on such an assemblage, was almost a
mockery when he addressed the Al
mighty saying: "Thou hast led us in
the ways not of our own choosing;
ways best for us and most to Thy
glory" thus imputing to God the "crim-
inal aggression" OF William Mckinley
in the Philippine Islands and Porto
Rico.
When adjourning on Tuesday another
minister of the gospel addressed the
Almighty as follows: "Lct our cur
rency neither be impaired by imitation
nor diminished by boarding." That, Of
course, amused the officials OF the ma
tional banks, but when he added, LET
there never be among us an aristocracy,
either OF color, wealth and birth, but
only OF intelligence and goodness" a
frown was perceptible on the faces OF
the American barons who had become
millionaires by tariffs and trusts since
the birth OF the Republican party little
more than generation ago.
An idea OF the class of men for whose
guidance the political parsons implored
the Almighty may be had from the
names of the millionaires who gathered
at Belshazzar feast at the Union
League club rooms in Philadelphia last
Saturday night Some OF them could
draw million-dollar checks to elect VIM
Mckinley. Here are some of those il,
attendance: Senators Hanna, Depew
Foraker, Lodge, Penrose, Sewell, Kean
Burrows, Fairbanks, Thurston, Scot,
and Shoup; Secretaries Root, Smith
Griggs and Wilson; Charles Dick, Jesse
Overstreet, Matthew S. Quay, Joseph
Marley, Henry c. Payne, Charles G.
Dawes, Perry Heath, Payne Dalzell
Clement A. Griscom; Congressman
Grosvenor, Adams, Hill, Young and
Foss; Charles F. Warwick and Edwin
N. Benson.
In special from Philadelphia to q
Chicago paper reporter says: "The
dinner tonight was behind closed doors
of course. The aristocratic assemblagt
| would take no chances on allowing it:
postprandial expressions to be given tc
the world through the press. There
were too many conflicting interest.
there at this stage of the game for an,
extended remarks to be risked, and il
was given out by club official to- .
crushed and properly docile dozen o.
| newspaper men in an an,e-room that
there would be no speeches under any
circumstances" 49,.
1t will be the sacred duty of every
American who desires the perpetuity OIL
the republic to defeat the nominees Of
these conspirators against human lib.
erty at the polls next November. They
are leading members of "the aristocrac,
of wealth." for whose extinction the
preacher prayed when the co9Xentior