The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-01

1--WE witness a spectacle tonight most
encouraging to the lovers OF good gov
ernment. whatever their political afiili-
ations may be. Assembled here are
representatives OF the old Democratic
party, determined 10 lay aside, for
period at least. all minor differences,
for the purpose of restoring TO this be-
loved commonwealth of ours that Re
publican form of government which we
have Inherited from our fathers.
I'VE see also, in great numbers, men
OF the Republican party, determined
once for all to shake off the de-
grading thraldAm which holds that
party in an iron grasp, and TO bring IL
back TO those days when II stood for
lofty and splendid ideals OF liberty and
justice. II is an uprising or Tree
people, willing for a tlme, "a IN ,be SaTty SaT1s
labels which they have worn and TO en-
list in a crusade for political decency
and the rights OF the people, both ot
violated by an infamous system. which,
little by little. has fastened itself upon
the body polite, and, IL not extirpated,
government, but all government by
the people
'In this union of those forces of
righteousness which exists In both par
serves TO exist, we behold a situation
not without parallel In this state, and
in our country. In 1881 and for many
years before, how bitter was party
warfare throughout the Unionl Here
in Rhode Island we were sharply di-
vided by political strife and animosl-
ties. 1t seemed Impossible that patriot
ism could triumph over partisanship'
and that the people could ever be weld.
ed together, even In the holiest or
causes. r, -, 90
the guns which battered down the be-
leaguered fortress of Sumter had not
died away before the people or this
state, of the Republican faith and or
Democratic faith, hitherto political foes
Joined their shields In that splendid de-
termination TO crush rebellion, restore
the Union and not TO permit the 1alr
heritage of their fathers to be brought
Among the defenders Of the Union
there was no question OF party; on the
muster-in roll OF the soldier there was
no blank in which to describe his poll
tics or his religion Animated by lofty
and patriotic purpose, they marched 70
the front; together they cneerIulIy
shared the hardships and privations or
those terrible years; shoulder 10
shoulder they fought bravely the bat
ties OF that bloody war; side by side, In
countless thousands, they now sleep
co tenants OF the tomb.
I'VE are not now threatened with de-
struction by wars wild alarms, but an
poisoning the air, with Its breath, and
undermining the foundations of our
state government. 1t is time that we
should again, my friends OF both par
ties, join forces, as was done in 1851. In
the sacred cause of political honesty
and purity
THAT insidious foe Is the political ma
chine, or organization. OF the Republican
party dominated absolutely by Charles II.
Brayton. (Applause)
How did this man obtain the power
he unquestionably possesses? Did the
nnOnln n
their chosen representatives what laws
should be enacted. or what laws should
be pigeonholed, or what laws should be
permitted to pass one branch of the legis-
lature. only to be held up In the other7
Did the people delegate to him the selec-
ton OF officials Of state. both high and
low? Is Gen. Brayton the type OF man
the people would select to exercise such
despotio and autocratic powers7