WHAT THE RECORD IS.
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.)