The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16

licans. and the renewal of the experiment
has resulted in a repetition Of the expert
ence. The defeat OF the party then was so
overwhelming that its final destruction
was announced by the opposition just a s
Republican orators and newspapers af-
feet TO believe that it's extinction has been
decreed by recent reverses.
Republican ascendency seemed so secure
that in 1874 1t was difficult TO find a candi-
date who would accept. The campaign pro-
ceeded amid an apathy characteristic or
foregone and inevitable conclusion; hardly
meeting was held, scarcely bet was re-
corded the utmost that the most sanguine
Democrat hoped 10 accomplish was the
reduction OF the Republican majority, yet
when the votes were counted at the close
Of a very peaceful and apparently listless
election day II was found that the ground
on which Republican confidence appeared to
rest in absolute safety had been rent ana
torn by a political earthquake, Republican
supremacy was subverted by a revolution
bewildering in its completeness. The House
whelmingly Republican, became Democratic
by an equally decisive prepOnderance.
States which had been loyal 10 the Repub-
hcan party since its foundation elected
Democratic administrations. Even Massa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania broke loose from
their Republican mornings, while in this
State the majority Of $1,000 cast for Dix in
1872 was reversed and Samuel j. Tiden
was elected Governor by a majority of al
most equal proportions. The party which
had been pronounced dead awOke TO a new
lie. During the twenty years Wnlcn lOl-
lowed the Democracy elected its candidate
for the presidency three times and twice
IL inaugurated him. 1t controlled the House
OF Representatives continuously with the
exception of two Congresses.
Mr.. Cochran asked IL IL was then unreal
sOnable to hope that what has happened
before may happen AGAIN. and proceeded
to point out at length that If the DemOc-
racy is to win in 1904 IL must accept the
lesson taught by Tilden's leadership In
1874. Our opponents" said he. differ more
widely on great public questions than we
90 but among Republicans divergence Of
views never interferes with their co-opera-
ton in pursuit of Office. Their speeches
show radical conflict on every public ques-
ton. on reciprocity. on ship subsidies, on
Imperialism, on retention OF the Phlllp-
pines, on the treatment OF Cuba, yet these
differences have never hindered them and
never will hinder them from supporting
unitedly and enthusiastically the party
candidate.
THE reason" continued the speaker
why divisions of opinion do not prevent
Republicans from remaining united at the
polls, while differences much less serious
suffice to tear the Democracy into frac-
tions and reduce it to impotence, is per-
fectly plain. Republicans are in politics
for themselves, Democrats for their coun-
try Republicans prefer principles TO power
Democrats seek power 10 enforce princi-
pies. Republicans allow nothing to inter.
fere with success in getting possession of
office; Democrats will sacrifice all pros
poets Of office rather than suppress or
there was no need TO seek an issue and
added: imperialism with it's inseparable
object. plumber, the issue in 1874 as it
is and must be the issue now. The same
predatory purposes dominated the Repub-
lican party then that dominate il now.
Its defeat is essential to the safety of the
rebublic now as ii was then. If Democrats"
said he remain but faithful to funda-
mental principles which Jefferson fOrmu-
lated. Jackson maintained and which Til
den revived. then in 1902 Tildens leader
ship will receive an Endorsement more de-
cisive than Tilden's candidacy received in
1874
Edward NJ Shepard was the last speaker.
He said in part: THE duty and the interest
of the Democratic party are TO do neither
more nor less than to adhere to its own
well settled and traditional doctrines, which
never were more useful or timely than they
are this very evening. The Democrats will
oppose the ship subidy bills. They will op-
pose all subsidy bills which would cast
burdens upon the mass of American citizens
for the benefit of a small rich and favored
class. Our party will, j believe, do its ut
most TO abate the enormous and unjust
tariff privileges of which have been born
so many OF the great mon oOies that
threaten the political and moral future of
the United States. Our party has stood and
will stand for Democratic self-government
wherever the American flag floats"