Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1900 — PARTY OR COUNTRY? [ARTICLE]

PARTY OR COUNTRY?

John Strange, Former Democrat, Decides to Support Latter. John T. Strange, an attorney and a lifelong Democrat, who has been the leader of Democracy In Grant county, Indiana, for years, sent a letter to Robert Houston, the chairman of the Democratic county committee, last week, announcing that he had resolved to support the present administration and could not support Bryan. Mr. Strange has been honored by the Democratic party by the nomination for circuit judge, state representative, chairman of the county Democratic committee, delegate to the state convention and delegate to the national convention. The following is the letter: “My Dear Sir—lt seems to me to be only right that I should make known to you, as chairman of the Democratic committee of Grant county, Ind., the •tand 1 have deliberately taken in the present campaign. I assure you that It is no easy task for me to break away from the political ties of my birth, and from the friendships thus formed during my life. However sacred these ties and friendships may be, and however strong former political affiliations may have been, when the supreme question arises, Shall I stand by my party of my country? then I know of no higher duty than to stand by my country first and by the flag wherever ft waves. I can arrive at no other conclusion upon the issue formed in this campaign than that my plain duty Is to stand by the administration. It has ifceen tried and found capable to deal wisely, justly and ably with all the «ew and grave problems with which ft had to contend, J?oth at home and abroad. It has steadfastly maintained faonoy of our flag at home, upon

the seas and in foreign and hostile lands. To support It is to pursue a wise and safe course upon the living and pending questions. To oppose it is to invite sectional discord and to disturb the present satisfactory conditions and business relations of the country. In my opinion the administration is deserving of the continued confidence of the American people and should not be turned down. It is not good to ‘swap horses’ and risk a new and untried one. The president has proved himself to be a wise, safe Und conservative executive in times of peace; a cool, courageous, brave and patriotic leader in times of war. He combines the elements of citizen, soldier, statesman and patriot, together with a trained mind in statecraft, a clear judgment, an honest heart and a pure purpose. To trust such a man with the guidance of the ‘old ship of state’ four years more will be no experiment. Believing that it is for the best interests ofthe country and the general welfare of the people under the present conditions. I am in favor as the administration and will vote for Its continuance. Yours most respectfully, - “JOHN T. STRANGE,” Glass Worker Convert. Dennis' A. Hayes, president of the Green Glass Workers' International association, headquarters at Philadelphia, while in Muncie last week, astonished his former Democratic associates by remarking that while he took no part in politics, he felt it his duty this year to vote for McKinley because of the improved industrial conditions. Mr. Hayes also favors expansion.