Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
CATO SELLS SPEAKS.
Vinton Orator Addresses Ottum.
vans on Political Questions.
SILVER QUESTION is NOT DISCUSSED
Majority Of the Talk Is on Trusts and
Observation-Disclosures That Amer.
lea Is Practical Monarchy-The
Philippine Question.

hhF0' Observation-Disclosures ] nat amer.
lea Is Practical Monarchy-The
Philippine Question.
[From Wednesdays Daily.]
Last evening at the Turner hall, the
Hon. Cato Sells, of Vinton, delivered
an address full of democratic princi-
pies to comparatively large and
very attentive audience. Mr.. Sells is
one of the most eloquent democratic
speakers in the state, as well
as one of the best known
democratic politicians of the
west, and his arguments last evening.
were listened to with great deal of
interest by his audience, which was
composed of members of both the
democratic and republican parties. Mr..
Sells is a speaker of ability, and I'M
like SO many democratic takers, he
omits from his addresses that caustic
element which has the effect more of
disgusting than persuading the voter.
He impresses his hearers with the idea
that he is sincere in what he says, be
his beliefs the same or different from
those of his listeners
| The meeting last evening was OPEN
| ed by the rendition of America by
the Wapello Chief band, after which
| County Central Committeeman d. e.
Chisman called the meeting to order.
He announced Capt. w. H. G. Jaques,
as chairman for the evening, and the
latter gentleman, in a brief speech, in
troduced to, the audience Hon. Cato
| Sells who said in
Synopsis of Speech.
"Mr. Chairman. ladies and gentle
men:-l have never~had the pleasure
before of addressing a gathering COM
! posed of Ottumwa people, but l am
very much gratified to behold so large
an audience, and also to note that
there are so many women among my
hearers, since | believe that the best
/ inspiration of man is from the home,
and that inspiration is kindled by the
mother, the daughter, the wife, or the
sweetheart. The size of the audience
this evening is ample indication of the
! fact that the apathy we are hearing
so much about is not to be found
| among the democrats. l will confess
that l was little anxious before the
meeting as to the probable attendance,
1 owing to the fact that this year, unlike
four years ago, the questions of the
campaign are being discussed very lit
! tie, and with less heat than was exhi-
bited during the last presidential cam
paign 1t occurs to me that the fact
that this strong, or, we may say, bit
/ ter feeling Oh four years ago has COM
| paratively disappeared, demonstrates
the fact that there has been a com
plete revulsion of feeling, and change
/ of convictions turnout the country
Four years ago, those who disagreed
with democracy seemed to think that
the election of Mr.. Bryan meant the
destruction of the country. They were
almost malicious in their prophesies
of the ills that would befall if the dem
ocratic leader were made chief execu-
tive of the nation. Today they are
prophesying no more. They seem to
have accepted the leader of democra-
cy not only as safe man, but as one
of the greatest statesmen the world
has ever known. No man in the his
campaign of viler viturperation and
came out more triumphant in the end
bigger and greater than before.
1T has always been my opinion that
we should discuss politics as we do
our business affairs, honestly, sincere
| ly, and periodically. We owe it to
each other to be frank and to
concede to our neighbor the right we
claim to express opinion. The plain
est declarations of the broadcast convic-
lions are the most conducive to the
public good A man should fix his party
Affiliations upon the principles of his
convictions with certainty that
nothing can destroy. 1t is as easy to
determine ones position on political
question as it is to demonstrate a
| proposition in geometry, and when one
has fixed his position on question his
course win still be in harmony with
his principles, even if the party with
which he started change it's principles.
In 1898 there was great division in
the democratic party, which l believe
! was an honest one. There were men
who had been democrats all their
lives, and who believed in the policies
of Jefferson Jackson and the other
fathers of the party, and the major
/ ity of those who left the ranks did so
honestly For these gentlemen have
nothing but the greatest honor and re-
4 spect. When they find that the call
of duty and honor takes them back,
they return and follow the flag of de-
mocracy. The party stands with open
arms to receive such men, and there
is room for them ALL Such condi-
ton exists from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.
"The republican party in 1896 had a
moral and political obligation, Ito
show the same courage in the admins
tration of affairs in Washington as
was shown by those who had made
their success possible. When they
(. had obtained control. did they snow
that same degree of courage and pa
triotism as those who walked out OF
the ranks of their party and thus made
their election possible? Let me an.
swer the question with decided No
Their first act was the calling of a
special session of congress, for the
purpose of enacting. the Dingley law.
Not until after three years, when upon
the eve of another presidential cleo
ton, did the republican party have
tho or,,,,,oo RI 'npopt n financial hill