Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-07-11
the NATIONAL TICKET.

uue NATURAL lICkeu.
The Kansas City convention has
passed into history, and it has done a
work that is destined to make, q last
ing influence on the future history of
our country. Assembled on the natal
day of freedom it became imbued with
the spirit that dominated the delegates
assembled in Philadelphia July 4,
1776. The ringing, clear-cut, straight
forward platform adopted is new
Declaration of Independence. 1t is a
platform broad enough for every
lover of liberty and human rights to
stand on. No backward step is taken.
The ground gained for the common
people in the Chicago platform is re-
affirmed. In spite of the determined
efforts of the single standard follow
ers of the East, in spite of the allure
ments of certain victory held out as a
reward for . straddle on the currency
question Bryan and his friends held
open statement of their position. We
have admired Bryan ever since he
made his famous speech in the Chi
cago convention four years ago. But
our admiration for the man has great
.ly increased during the last week.
His unfaltering adherence to what he
believes is right, his earnest determin-
alton that the people shall know what
they vote for in voting for him, his
putting his principles high above any
regard for his own personal aggrand-
izement, have made even his bitterest
opponents respect and admire him.
We are proud to follow the banner of
such leader We know that if he is
elected there will be no vacillating, no
denunciation Of policy one day aud
adoption of the same policy the next
day. We will not then have the pitt
able spectacle of president ruled by
another man.
But while the platform covers the
ground gained in '96 there are other
questions of vital Importance that
have come up since that time, and on
these the platform takes the same
clear unmistakeable position. The
question of Imperialism is justly put
first. Greater than any economic
question is the question whether we
shall suffer the government to destroy
the fundamental principle of our gov
eminent. We stand at the parting OF
the ways. The declarations that tall
men are created equal" and "all gov
ernments deriye their just powers
from the consent of the governed, u
are once more in danger. Our fore
fathers fought long ana bloody wal
against England to defend those prin-
ciples. They wrestled for those rights
in the constitutional convention,
against the class government advo.
Gated by Hamilton. They overthrow
the Federalists a hundred years ago
because that party was threatening
those principles. Many of those now
living have taken part in the greatest
struggle of the century for the com.
plete recognition of those sacred prin'
ciples. Now we are face to face with
the question whether we are willing tc
deprive others Of the rights we desire
for ourselves. It ia q battle for the
Declaration of Independence. for the
constitution, and for human rights
Under the banner flung to the breeze
at Kansas City all believers in freedom
for all and the perpetuation Of oul
free institution ought to stand
shoulder to shoulder, presenting an
unbroken and determined front
against the advocates Of ,goyernmen,
by force, civilization by gunpowder,,
and taxation without representation.
The issue is 80 clearly drawn that no
one can honestly misunderstood it.
To quarrel about party names and
small diferces Of opinion on economic
principles in this momentous hour
would be criminal folly. To desert
the ranks ct the army Of freedom be
cause We did not get our choice for
the second man ia command would be
treason. Dear az the party for which
We have fought SO long, has become
g us, the preserya ton 81 the republic
ts consunna tion ~ far more con-
corn. We admire and love Charles
Az; ToWne for his sterling integrity
that could not be. tempted from the
path Of duty by offers Of personal