it is absurd.

But in this contest the Senate, in my judgment, is right. In my
opinion, by the time Cleveland goes out most of the offices will
be filled with Democrats. If the Republicans succeed next time,
I know, and everybody knows, that they will never rest easy until
they get the Democrats out. They will shout "offensive partisanship."
The truth is, the theory is wrong. Every citizen should take an
interest in politics. A good man should not agree to keep silent
just for the sake of an office. A man owes his best thoughts to
his country. If he ought to defend his country in time of war,
and under certain circumstances give his life for it, can we say
that in time of peace he is under no obligation to discharge what
he believes to be a duty, if he happens to hold an office? Must
he sell his birthright for the sake of being a doorkeeper? The
whole doctrine is absurd and never will be carried out.

_Question_. What do you think as to the presidential race?

_Answer_. That is a good way off. I think the people can hardly
be roused to enthusiasm by the old names. Our party must take
another step forward. We cannot live on what we have done; we must
seek power for the sake, not of power, but for the accomplishment
of a purpose. We must reform the tariff. We must settle the
question of silver. We must have sense enough to know what the
country needs, and courage enough to tell it. By reforming the
tariff, I mean protect that and that only that needs protection--
laws for the country and not for the few. We want honest money;
we want a dollar's worth of gold in a silver dollar, and a dollar's
worth of silver in a gold dollar. We want to make them of equal
value. Bi-metallism does not mean that eighty cents' worth of
silver is worth one hundred in gold. The Republican party must
get back its conscience and be guided by it in deciding the questions
that arise. Great questions are pressing for solution. Thousands
of working people are in want. Business is depressed. The future
is filled with clouds. What does the Republican party propose?
Must we wait for mobs to inaugurate reform? Must we depend on
police or statesmen? Should we wait and crush by brute force or
should we prevent?

The toilers demand that eight hours should constitute a day's work.
Upon this question what does our party say? Labor saving machines
ought to lighten the burdens of the laborers. It will not do to
say "over pr