Now, let us look at Mr. Cleveland's record for the fifteen months
ending December 1, 1895--this, you will remember, was under the Wilson
bill. We find the balance of trade, instead of being in our favor,
was against us to the enormous amount of $70,494,044, or an average of
$4,699,603 per month, or $153,653 per day. That, fellow citizens, is
a pretty good sized daily loss. That is what we call remarkably poor
business methods, and so does every one within the hearing of my voice
who is disposed to be fair in the consideration of this question. But
why speak further of the evils of free trade, or multiply examples of
the blessings of protection. The record of the last three and a half
years has been an object lesson, both impressive and eloquent. It is
gratifying to note that some of the ultra free traders in 1892 are the
most pronounced protectionists in 1896. Many of the old time democrats
who are proud of the traditions of their party, proud of the principles
which they have cherished for so many years, are refusing to follow the
platform adopted by the degenerate democracy of 1896. Let us mete out
justice to whom justice is due.
WHEN THE FLAG OF OUR COUNTRY, WAVING ABOVE FORT SUMTER WAS FIRED UPON
BY THE ENEMIES OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE
DEMOCRATS OF THE NORTH FORGOT THEIR POLITICS, SHOULDERED THEIR MUSKETS
AND BECAME PATRIOTS. (APPLAUSE.) THIS YEAR OF GRACE, 1896, WHEN THE GUNS
OF ANARCHY AND SOCIALISM ARE DIRECTED AGAINST THE SUPREME COURT OF THE
UNITED STATES AND THE NATION'S HONOR AND CREDIT, THESE SAME DEMOCRATS BY
THE TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE TURNING FROM THAT PLATFORM OF REPUDIATION AND
ARE THE STANCHEST OF PATRIOTS. (APPLAUSE.)