Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1885 — Mr. Larrabeee’s Opening Speech in Iowa. [ARTICLE]

Mr. Larrabeee’s Opening Speech in Iowa.

During the active canvass that preceded the nomination of Mr. Larrabee as the Republican candidate for Governor of lowa no attacks whatever were made on him, and it was generally conceded by Democrats as well as Republicans that his record was invulnerable. After eighteen years’ service .in the State Senate there was not even a suspicion that he had ever been connected with any kind of legislative jobbery, nor could it be shown that during that long period of activity he was an advocate, or supporter of nnwise measures. There was nothing in his record that called for explanations or apologies. Throughout his public life he had been an honest, prudent, and diligent servant of the people. The only thing alleged against him was that he was not a brilliant “stump speaker” and could not tickle the ears of the groundlings With the sound and fury of electioneeringioratory. It appears, however, from his speech of acceptance before the convention that hb is able to talk sound sense in a very instructive and forcible manner. This brief speech shows Mr. Larrabee to be a man of ripened judgment and sound views—one whose arguments ought to command the respect of all who are capable of understanding them. ' - Mr. Larrabee’s brief speech was devoted mostly to State matters, but it left no doubt that he is a sound NatiOnal Republican. He asked his hearers whether they expected to strengthen the nation or increase the prosperity of the people by an advocacy of . the State-sovereignty heresies that have ggiven rise to the worst evils ever known in the United States. Testing the Democratic party either by its theories

or its acts, he was willing to submit the political conundrum whether it Had ever been right in a single instance. He said: v.- ' “Has the Eepublican party ever been wrong upon one question? Can you name to me a single instance where the Eepublican party has been wrong ? On the other hand, can you name a single instance where the Democratic party has been right ? I put the question to you, my Democratic friends, as I see a few of you here to-day. Has there been a question for the last thirty years where the Democratic party has been right regarding this great nation ? As I near no response I will propound the question and extend it back fifty years and ask you to name a single question where the Democratic party has been right. Now, gentlemen, I ask you to consider this. It is rather a hard' conundrum, because I hear no response, and I ask you to take the matter home with you. ” It would puzzle any Democrat to answer this conundrum. The Democratic party never is but always to be right, and its advocates prophesy a brilliant future on the score of an inconsistent and dishonorable past. • Throughout its history it has filled the part the historian assigned to the second George, who was “always inconsistent and always wrong.” The Eepublican party as such has made no Leading and influential men have been guilty of great blunders at times, but the acts were those of individuals, and not of the party. The great measures inaugurated by the National Eepublican party stand so thoroughly justified that the enemies of that organization do not openly assail them, but only seek to induce the people to abandon common sense and not attempt to judge the future by the past. Senator Larrabee’s comparison really comprehends tho entire logic of the present political situation. The question between the parties is one of character, and this can only be judged by the record. In regard to matters in bis own State Mr. Larrabee takes the same position. He pojnts to the result of thirty years of Eepublican rule, and asks the Democrats where they expect to improve the record. He refuses to believe that the flourishing condition of the State is the result of chance, and insists that “the prosperity and happiness of a people depend largely on the wisdom with which its government is administrated.” The great issues arising for many years past have been solved to the satisfaction of the people through the agency of the Eepublican party. On the temperance question Mr. Larrabee frankly says he is wedded to no theory, but regards it simply as a matter of experiment to determine what laws are best suited to the people and calculated to command popular approval. Mr. Larrabee may not be a great “stump speaker,” but he is a man of clear-headed views, and no doubt the people of lowa will be glad to hear from him frequently during the campaign. —Chicago Tribune.