The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-04-12
FERSON Dinner.
The Democrats of Ringgold County
Celebrate the 18TH Birthday
Anniversary Of Thomas
Jefferson.
Speeches by noted Democrats, an
Elaborate Banquet and
General Good Time.

was present and he occupied the time
assigned to MIR. Sells and himself. AS
to his speech nothing need be said.
Almost every democrat in the eighth
district of Iowa has heard MIR. Butler,
and he was at his best on this occasion.
MIR. Butler was followed by that
prince of story tellers, j Nj. Emery, OF
Newton, who has earned national
reputation as story teller, his -Swede
dialect being the pure quill. He was
encored again and again. and took
occasion to weave some solid political
facts and truths into his stories, for he
is an ardent democrat.
Hon. Y. r. McGinnis, of Leon, fol.
lowed, his topic being 'sThe Real Issue. :
1t gives us great pleasure to reproduce
MIR. McGinnis' remarks, and when he
had finished many crowded forward tc
congratulate him. He said:
THE REAL ISSUE"
II is not our purpose in responding to the
toast ,.Ihe Zeal Issue" to discuss current is
sues themselves but rather the result OF the
decision of the people upon those issues:
An issue is a point made in debate or con-
troversy. The presentation Of alternatives
between which to choose or decide, A politl
cal issue is the result OF the formal statements
of the positions OF recognized political parties
as 10 Questions that are before the people FOL
discussion and solution.
Issues in national or state elections arise
ont of those public matters in which the PEG
pie are interested and the manner in which
| The party in power has discharged It's duties
with reference to them, either as to what II ey
have done or left undone.
The "real issue of every political contest is
the question OF the effect that the result OF the
success OF either party would have upon the
life. liberty and happiness OF the people. II Is
! for the security of these lnalienable rights
| that governments are instituted among men
While the issue may be denominated one thing
the direct result or effect OF that issue upon
| these rights is the REAL issue: 49,
| The questions OF trusts and imperialism will
! constitute the nominal issues OF the campaign
| of 1900. The passage Of the gold standard law
BY TINS aea Ine senase and the at
| iltude of the majority with reference to fl
nance have practically eliminated the money
| question from the coming campaign. But
direct issue in this campaign, 1t is equally true
| that the present administration in the matte
OF its broken pledges and utter disregard tol
party declarations and political promises will
| reference thereto. have legaliZed none!
trusu-the great st and most pernicious Of al
trusts. In their national platform OF 1896. the.
pledge themselves TO maintain the existin.
gold standard until International agreemen
! could be made with the leading Commercial
nations OF the earth for the free coinage Of sill
4 Yer. The socalled existing gold standard wa
4 bimetalhsm. 1t had no foundation either il
law or in fact but was based upon custor
i inaugurated by President Cleveland and con
tinued BY President Mckinley. surrender,n
to the creditors of the government the optic
that belonged TO the aszslGS5pent itself, in th
redeA,ntion of his GasS3 obligations;