He begins with common, expected fare. He thanks those assembled for coming and praises the Indianapolis Democratic party. Then, he launches into his first major point: the issue of American currency.

"Manifestly nothing is more vital to our supremacy as a nation and to the eneficent purposes of our Government than a sound and stable currency. Its exposure to degradation should at once arouse to activity the most enlightened statesmanship, and the danger of depreciation in the purchasing power of the wages paid to toil should furnish the strongest incentive to prompt and conservative precaution."

You're not able to completely comprehend everything that follows: a long diatribe on exchange rates and currency values. However, you are able to get the gist of it. Evidently, an independent congressman has introduced a measure designed to completely remove silver coins from circulation. Some congressmen from both major parties have spoken out in favor of the bill, but the Democratic party as a whole opposes it. Cleveland favors the minting of both gold and silver dollars, provided that the value of the dollar doesn't vary depending on the metal used.

Next, the President speaks about tariffs:

"The people of the United States must decree that the control of their Government in its legislative and executive branches shall be given to a political party pledged in the most positive terms to the accomplishment of tariff reform. When we tear aside the delusions and misconceptions which have blinded our countrymen to their condition under vicious tariff laws, we but show them how far they have been led away from the paths of contentment and prosperity."

The President continues on this subject for a while, and you ponder it as he talks. Considering what you heard from Uncle Ezra about the Democrats and Adam Smith, this makes sense. The President is referring to a piece of legislation the Democrats have just entered into Congress called the Mills Bill. It's intended to lower tariffs with major industrial European nations (particularly Britain) drastically, so as to make trade freer and presumably more lucrative for everybody. While you can see how lowered tariffs could result in more foreigners responding in kind and buying more American goods, you also see that this measure will not be a popular one here in Indiana. Most people around here are afraid of foreign goods and foreign business, which they see as a ruthless demon trying to destroy America. They would disregard the fact that other countries would lower their tariffs in turn and buy American goods; instead, they'd just see the products of "cheap, evil foreign labor" underbidding Americans in the shops.

You lean over to remark this to your Uncle Ezra. As you turn towards him and his image enters your peripheral vision, a shudder runs down your spine. Your uncle is clearly roaring drunk! While you were listening to the President, Uncle Ezra apparently finished his meal and began to drink after-dinner brandy. Judging by the way he's lolling in his chair, he looks as if he made his way through at least half a bottle!

With as much dignity as you can muster, you wrap your arm around your uncle's shoulder and begin to walk toward the exit. You make it to the door and are just about to leave when you feel Uncle Ezra slip his way out of your grasp and turn to face the gathering. Swaying like a metronome, but somehow miraclously managing to remain standing, he hatchets the air with his finger and begins to yell.

"GOD BLESH TH' PRES'DNT! HOORAY F'R TH' DEM'CR'T'C P'RTY!"

Moving like lightning, you grab him by the collar and rush out the door, through the hotel lobby, out into the street and into a cab, all in the space of a few seconds. As the cab makes it way back to your uncle's house, you look at your passed-out charge in disgust and consider the events of the evening. It's not fair--the President had just begun speaking! You would have gotten to hear a lot more if not for this stupid old man! Still, it was good to get to hear just a little bit of Cleveland's talk. And you learned some of the principles the Democratic party stands for, as well as reminding yourself of the sorts of people who join the party. You're glad you went. Besides, in the condition Uncle Ezra's in, you won't have to put up with him at breakfast tomorrow! With that pleasant thought, you sit back and enjoy the ride.

Go home and wait for the election!

(The bust at the top of the page is of Demosthenes, the famous Athenian orator who denounced King Philip of Macedon and gave us the term "Philippic," for a derrogatory and denouncing speech)