Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1885 — UNITED HOSTS. [ARTICLE]

UNITED HOSTS.

lowa Democrats Form a Fusion wit> Greenbackera to Face a Common Enemy. The Inhibitory Legislation of the State Denounced ns Hostile to Temperance. The lowa Democratic State Convention convened at Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, the 19tb of August, and was called to order by Hon. L. G. Kinne, Chairman of the State Central Committee. After prayer by the Rev. Dr. Ringgold, an address of weloome was delivered by tha Hon. C. H. Preston, of Cedar Rapids. Col. Kestley, editor of the Council Bluffs Globe, was made temporary Chairman. Fred W. Lehman, of Des Moines, was selected as permanent Chairman, and made an eloquent address on taking the chair, and stamped his personality closely upon the convention. He is short in stature, clean-shaven, and speaks rapidly, clearly, and distinctly, with conviction and earnestness in every tone. Ho proved a capable Chairman, and managed to keep tolerable order during the most exciting scenes of the day. In tbe course of his address he referred to the “three Ws—reading, ’ritlng, and ’rithmetlc," not the other “three R‘s,“ and his hit was so happy that the convention was convulsed. He reviewed the Oklahoma question, and paralleled the action of Republican and Democratic justice on the subject. He dwelt upon the Prohibition issue, and said the Demooratlo candidates must go squarely before the people in opposition to this accursed law. As showing the unanimity of feeling upon this question, the applause which followed the allusion to the accursed prohibition statute and demanding Us repeal was most earnest. Mr. Lehman said that if prohibition in lowa accomplished all that was claimed tor it he would not exchange such results for those of trial by jury, which It abrogated. He said the Democratic party should be one in language, law, faith, and destiny, as it has been one in history. The liquor plank in the platform was a point of contention, a portion believing that the minimum should be ssuo, but it was soon shown that to carry tbe solid vote the minimum should be lowered, and the platform was adopted after discussion by ‘a unanimous and enthusiastic vote. Col. A. R. MoCoy was first upon his foot for the nomination of a candidate, and presented the name of Capt. Merrill. He Baid Merrill was a soldier's candidate, an nltra-Democrat, and a strong anti-Prohibltlonist. Messrs. Finn, of Story, and Smith, of Soott, followed, seconding the nomination. Mr. Keatley, of Council Bluffs, nominated Senator Whiting, and this action was seconded by Capt. Bell. Mr. Bolton, of Harrison, followed in a strong speech, seconding tho nomination. Mr. Bolton spoke until the friends of Merrill called "TimeT when oiioa of “Goonl" “Go on I" tilled the house and gavo the first indication of the solid strength of Whiting’s ioroes. Horaoe Boles, of Waterloo, was then put fn nomination. His strong point was that he cams from Buffalo. Senator Jones, of tho Dubuquo delegation, gut in nomination William G. Stewart, of Duuque. Jones spoke from the stage, and was interrupted by the Chairman of the Dubuque delegation, who wanted to know if the Colonel had any authority for his action. The doughty old gentleman replied that he spoke upon tho authority of an American citizen and a Democrat, and as no second was entered his authority went unquestioned. When the balloting began it was evldeilt that Whiting and fusion on a Democratlo basis stood in the lead, and at the end of the call of counties Kinne had received 42, Merrill 2tK', Whiting 316 votes, lacking eight of nomination. A b eak from Klnno followed to both candidates, and a grand change began. The wildest confusion ensued, in wblch the Chairmen of numerous delegations were yelling for recognition. Order was fina ly restored and when the changes were recorded the result gave Whiting the nomination. Capt. Merrill promised the hearty support of himself and his lrlends, and upon his motion the nomination was made unanimous. Mr. Brennan was nominated for Bimreme Judge, and then camo the question of fusion. When it was moved tha, the convention prooeed to nominate a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, a bitter contest followed, but the motion was carried and the nomiuation of Mr. Gillette, the Greenback oandidate, followed. THE PLATI'OKM. The convention,-after a shaip debate on an amendment to increase the license to a five hundred dollar minimum, passed the following resolutions: The Democratlo party of lowa announces the following platform of principles: l. Wc approve of and adopt the principles of the late Democratic National Convention. 2. We declare in favor of the repeal of the prohibitory liquor law of the State of lowa as unjust aHd hostile to temperance. 3. We pledge ourselves to favor and use onr best efforts for the enactment of a license law of two hundred and fifty dollars, with power to increase the same from two hundred and fifty to one thousand dollars, as may be deemed best for tho public Interest in the various localities of the State, as expressed by the legal constituted authorities of such location. 4. We pledge ourselves to favor and me onr best effort* for the enactment of a law which shall punish as criminal the manufacture and sale of all adulterated liquors, such adulteration being the direct oause of intemperance, and destructive of the health of the people. 6. We condemn as disgraceful and tyrannical the action of the Republican executive of the State in driving out with muskets and fixed . bayonets a one-armed soldier elected by the / people.Jn time of profound peace, before any judgment of a civil court had been rendered against him, thus making the civil power of the State subjective to the military power. We denounce such acts as truly destructive to civil liberty and an insult to the people. 6. Wc urge upon Congress the prompt enactment of appropriate legislation to open to settlement the forfeited railroad lands in the State. 7. We approve the action of the Democrailo Senators of the Twentieth General Assembly in voting unanimously in favor of the prompt con-ideration of the bill known as the Cassat mining bill, and condemn the action of the Republicans in promising the in ner-* of this State adequate legislation, and then denying them even a lair hearing. 8. That, while we oppose all monopolies, we recognize the right and duty of the Government to give the greatest p ssible liberty to every citizen consistent with the rights of every other citizen; and we believe, and announce it as one of tbe fundamental principles of the Democratic party, that labor la the.foundition of wealth, and that the laborer shot, Id be the speoial object of the c re of the Government. 9. That in President Cleveland the country has fonnd a man of solid judgment, conscientious integrity, unswerving fidelity, patriotism, and courage equal to that of Andrew Jackson; and in hisefiorts for economy; for the exposure of criminal acts of the Republican party and its officers; for his untlinohingfirmness in dealing with the cattle kings; for his zeal in behalf of reform; for his efforts to restore the public lands to the settlers; for his efforts to enforoe tbe law against polygamy; and for his constant watchfulness of the public welfare be deserves to receive the hearty thanks of the Democracy of lowa and its unswerving support. 10. With these principles we go before the people of lowa, calling npon all who believe a change is demanded, nnd that the books shall bo opened and examined, and all who are tired of lana lcism and folly, whot her Democrat. Greenbacker, or Republican, to unite with ns in bringing about the resnlts to which we are hereI by pledged. The resolution Indorsing the administration was received with enthusiasm. Wonder if the Republican donkeys in charge of the Ohio campaign will send an invitation to the deceased Senator Morrill, of Maine, to stump the State, as they did last year. If they still insist on having a dead statesman, perhaps they might galvanize Blaine into campaign life by offering as a reempty honor of the nett Republican nomination to tho Presi- | dency.