NO. THIS BLOT OF REPUDIATION SHALL NOT SMIRCH THE UNTARNISHED
ESCUTCHEON OF AMERICAN PATRIOTISM, NEITHER SHALL THE TOILING MASSES
RECEIVE AS THEIR REWARD FOR HONEST LABOR A "MESS OF DEPRECIATED SILVER
POTTAGE."
We are now asked to desert the old ship of state that has carried this
nation through many storms, through many conflicts, and invariably
anchored us in the snug harbor of safety and maintained our country on
the map of the world, and added many stars to the old flag. We are asked
by these new and false prophets of finance to destroy this grand old
ship, freighted with the hopes and ambitions of seventy millions of free
American citizens; this old ship tested by time, tried by adversity,
taut and trim as a May queen and invincible as a Bessemer steel iron
cladder, a ship that was launched by Washington and the patriots of 100
years ago, and piloted by such noble men as Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and
Hayes. We are asked to desert this ship of known safety, and embark in
an untried craft and sail away on the turged waters of an unknown sea.
A craft manned by a free silver captain, piloted by free tradeism, and
ballasted with bombs of anarchy and repudiation; a craft whose very
slimy plank is reeking with condemnation; whose mutinous crew are ready
to scuttle her in mid ocean; whose worthless and shoddy sails are fanned
by the angry breath of high heaven; and whose nearest port is bankruptcy
and perdition. (Long continued applause.)
MY FELLOW CITIZENS, THE TRUE SOLUTION OF THE PRESENT FINANCIAL
DEPRESSION LIES ALONG OTHER LINES, AND THIS BRINGS US FACE TO FACE WITH
THE REAL PROBLEM.
Perhaps you have noticed already in this campaign that no one is quite
so disgusted with remarks on the tariff as a Byranized democrat or a
populist? The impoverished condition of the country, resulting from the
free trade crime of 1893 is so apparent on every hand that when we lay
the skeletons at their doors they frankly confess judgment, but tell us
that other questions of more vital importance are now before the people.
MY FRIENDS, THE ENDLESS CHAIN OF AMERICAN PROSPERITY HAS BEEN BROKEN
AND NEVER WILL BE MENDED UNTIL THE DRAWN FIRES FROM OUR FURNACES ARE
REKINDLED AND THE FREE TRADE SMOKE CONSUMERS ARE REMOVED FROM THE TALL
CHIMNEYS IN OUR MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS. (APPLAUSE.)