Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United StatesHarrison, Benjamin
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Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States
Harrison, Benjamin
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901; Speeches, addresses, etc., American; United States -- Politics and government
Having here a land that throws about the workingman social and
political conditions more favorable than are found elsewhere, if we
can preserve also more favorable industrial conditions we shall secure
the highest interests of our working classes. [Great cheering.] What,
after all, is the best evidence of a nation's prosperity, and the
best guarantee of social order, if it is not an intelligent, thrifty,
contented working class? Can we look for contentment if the workman
is only able to supply his daily necessities by his daily toil, but
is not able in the vigor of youth to lay up a store against old age?
A condition of things that compels the laborer to contemplate want,
as an incident of sickness or disability, is one that tends to social
disorder. [Applause and cries of "That is so!"] You are called upon
now to consider these problems. I will not debate them in detail,
others will. I can only commend them to your thoughtful consideration.
Think upon them; conclude for yourselves what policy as to our tariff
legislation will best subserve your interests, the interests of your
families, and the greatness and glory of the Nation of which you are
citizens. [Cheers.]
My colored friends who are here to-day, the emancipation of the
slave removed from our country that which tended to degrade labor. All
men are now free; you are thrown upon your own resources; the avenues
of intelligence and of business success are open to all. I notice
that the party to which we belong has been recently reproached by the
suggestion that we have not thoroughly protected the colored man in
the South. This has been urged as a reason why the colored people
should join the Democratic party. I beg the gentlemen who urge that
plea to answer this question: Against whom is it that the Republican
party has been unable, as you say, to protect your race? [Applause and
cries of "Good! Good!"] Thanking you again for this demonstration and
for your friendly expressions, I will, if it be your pleasure, drop
this formal method of communication and take my Clay County friends by
the hand. [Great cheering.]
The Clay County miners had not concluded their reception before a
delegation of several hundred arrived from Bloomington, Illinois,
headed by the John A. Logan Club, under the lead of General Geo. F.
Dick, William Maddox, John A. Fullwiller, M. B. Herr, and Dr. F. C.
Vandervoort. Their orator was Dr. W. H. H. Adams, formerly President of
the Illinois Wesleyan University. General Harrison, replying, said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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