Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-10
Action of the Democrats.

| 1T was. of course, the expectation of
Your convention that its nomination for the
| vice presidency would prove acceptable to
| the conventions of the democratic and sill
Yer republican parties; called to meet in
yer republicans, 1880 delegates, represent
ing rs states and territories, were indeed
| eager to name the ticket chosen at Sioux
| Falls, but to the great democratic conven-
| ton another course commended itself. The
| name of your nominee was presented to
that convention, and was received with re-
markable demonstrations of approval by
| the enormous number of citizen spectators
and with the utmost respect by the dele
gates, But geographical considerations,
country it was deemed wise to defer to
sentiment demanding that the candidate
should be man already identified with the
democratic organization, not only by hold
ing its principles and advocating its cause,
but also py name and profession, de-
termined the selection of Hon .Adlai E.
Stevenson, of Illinois, man OF unimpeach-
able character and of ripe political expert
ence. who as member of congress more
than 20 years ago was close associate and
colaborer of Gen. ]. b. Weaver and other
great leaders in the reform political move
ments OF the sa, day ,a and who, as vice pres
by rebelling against the betrayal of demo-
cratic principles by President Cleveland
When Mr.. Stevenson mad been nom
mated, what was 1t my duty TO do? My
name had gone before the convention along
with his. and had been beaten The nom
nation had been made decisively, and with
GpSplule harness he cdnulUate chosen
was personally uneNceptionable; his 10y
atty to our principles was beyond question,
and his career had been long eXempliii-
cation of them. Manifestly 1t was my duty
to support that nomination. Acting upon
this conviction, l went before the silver re-
publican convention, and succeeded in per-
suading 1t not to nominate me- and the
vice presidential matter was finally re-
ferred to the silver republican national
committee, with fun powers. Later in the
night this committee placed the name Of
Mr.. Stevenson on its ticket as candidate for
vice president.
Why He Declines.
This recital clearly develops the situa.
ton as 1t now is Everybody knows that
either Mr.. Stevenson or Mr. Roosevelt *
TO be the next vice president of the Unite,
States. am expected to take a laborio,Iy
part in the campaign. shall of course, nd
Vocate the election of Bryan and 81 veI
son. The democratic convention bero1
which was candidate, nominated Bry1
and Stevenson. The silver republican
party, OF which organization was the OIL.
cial head for nearly four years has nom
mated Bryan and Stevenson In what
nsht should l appear before the American
people If, while advocating the election of |
one ticket, should be going through the
form of running on another? Nobody in
the United States would think | had the
slightest chance of being elected and no. |
BODY would believe that l considered nv |
self seriously as a candidate unless at the
same time he believed me TO be absolutely
lacking in common sense. Whom could |
such phantom candidacy deceive? What |
respect should deserve indeed if in such
matter ] should attempt to DECEIVE any,
BODY whatsoever? l know the people'a |
party to be composed of men most eXcep-
llonaliy Keen and expert in political judg- /
HnenI' 80 OBVIOUS sham could not elude |
their VISION Either they would resent my
implied uncomplimentary estimate of them
CT theY would be. ius titiad in forming una