The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-29
FAIRBANKS TO VOTERS.
Candidate for Vice President Speaks
in Vermont.

/ spoke as follows:
Senator Proctor and fellow citizens:
wish to thank you for your most
generous welcome. do not, of course,
feel that it is personal, but regard it
terest in the public questions which
are now engaging the attention OF the
American people. We are inspired by
a common purpose. We have like
interest in good government, for its
blessings are not restricted by the
narrow limits of state lines.
This spot possesses a special inter
est Tor me. for near here my father
early youth and took up the arduous
work of a pioneer iii the wilderness
of the great Mississippi valley, but he
retained always for this state a pro-
found affection.
There is something in this high lati-
tude which leads to right thinking and
right doing, for Vermont has been in
variably aligned with the best judg-
ment and the patriotic conscience of
the American people. In every crisis
from the revolution until now her
sons have proven themselves worthy
of their priceless inheritance.
We have entered upon a campaign of
far reaching moment We are to de-
termine the policies that shall be in
force and the administration which
shall be in power for four years to
come. The candidates and platforms
are before the people. The records of
the parties are a part of our familiar
history, and we should be able to judge
what policies and what administration
will best advance our welfare. We
| should consider the questions before US
and determine them in light of the fire
side without passion and without preju-
dice.
One of the uppermost questions is,
| does the administration of President
Roosevelt merit a vote of confidence?
| This question confrontS us at the very
| threshold of the debate.
The president took up the duties of
tic off of nrin 1nr1f in he
| history of the republic. He assumed
his great responsibilities with due APP
probation of their gravity and gave as
Surance to his countrymen that he
would carry out the policies of his pre-
decessor. The people were familiar with
them. They were the policies of the
the country Unreasonable prosperity,
and they naturally desired the contin-
uance.
Let us see what Republican admins
tration and Republican policies have
accomplished. We might compare Re
publican and Democratic administra-
lions with profit. Fortunately we have
before us the records of both parties
during the last IL years.
Twelve years ago the country was in
enjoyment of an unusual degree of
prosperity. There was work to be had
ON every hand and at good wages. The
farmer received remunerative prices for
the products of the farm. Benjamin
Harrison was then president. The Nc
Kinley tariff law was in full operation. |
In the face of all this, the Democratic |
party denounced Republican prosperi- |
ty a fraud and robbery of the great
majority of the people for the benefit
of the few" 1t was declared to be I'M |
constitutional and the repeal of the
Mckinley law was demanded. The peo- |
pie, in an unguarded moment, in the |
exercise of their sovereign rights, voted |
out of power the Republican admins |
tration, and expressed their judgment |
in favor of a repeal of the Mckinley |
law, Democratic promise was accepted |
in place of Republican fulfillment. At |
submitting his annual message to con- |
gresS, directed attention to the pre- |
vailing prosperity throughout the coun- |
try. The defeat of the Republican par |
ty and the consequent change in the l.
economic policy of the government |
started sharp reaction in the indus
trial world. 1t is impossible to over
throw great economic policies without
changing industrial and commercial
conditions. 1t could not be done in 1892 |
and it can not be successfully accom-
plished today.
The four years succeeding General
HaTrison's defeat will not be soon for
gotten. They stand in sharp contrast
with the years of Republican admins
tration both before and after. They
were four years of arrested develop
ment, of panic and distress without
parallel in American history. Field, fac
tory and mine suffered alike. Vast
armies of unemployed marched through |
the country, hopelessly seeking for an
opportunity to work, regardless alike
of either the number of hours or the
rate of wage. To many from foreign
shores who have since then sought our
hospitality, and to many of the young
men of our own country, who for the
first time will exercise the highest priv
ilege of an American freeman this may
seem an overdrawn picture. There are
many of our countrymen who will con-
firm it with testimony gathered in their
%av-6 vic
In 1896 the American people resolved
to return to Republican administration
and to Republican policies.
We came into power pledged to over
throw the Democratic tariff law and to
enact in lieu of it a genuine protective
measure. In due time we put upon the
statute books the Dingley law. Pros
perity returned and spread her bless
ings among all sections and all peoples
within the ample limits of the Republic.
Three years ago our great and beloved
leader in the national contests of 1896
and 1900. fell at his post of duty. His
successor has since then administered
our national affairs with conspie-
uous ability. He has been an earnest
student of the country's needs. He has
been conscientious and untiring in the
discharge of his great responsibilities.
He has been inspired by but one pur-
pose and that has been to do well the
work committed to his hands.
Judged by any test we may apply, the
administration of President Roosevelt
has been eminently successful. The
last three years have been years of ex-
ceptional prosperity.
Prosperity has not been confined to
limited areas, but has extended
the country.
AS in 1892, the Democratic party now
denounces protection as a robbery OF
the many to enhance the few and
pledges itself to overthrow the Dingley
law through a revision and reduction
of the tariff. What will be the result
Of such a policy? We will find most
conclusive answer in the four years of .
the administration in