The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-05
Address OF Mr.. THOMAS
The Temporary Chairman to the
National Convention.
Influences Back of the Republican
Party Criticized - CorruptiOn Its
necessary Instrumcnt-'rhc LAW of
the Money Changer Lines on
Which the Fight Will BE WnEed.

KANSAS CITY, July 4.-Ex- Governor
Charles S. Thomas. OF Colorado, Tempo
rary Chairman of the Democratic National
Convention. in his speech said. in part:
We meet under most uSpicious infu-
ences. On the nations birthday. in great
central city of the Republic. at the close
and opening of a century. we come togeSh-
er to reaffirm our allegiance to the princi-
pies Of Thomas Jefferson and our loyalty
to their greatest living exponent. We
have been selected by the farmer and the
artisan, the miner and the mechanic. the
producers OF wealth in every State and
Territory of this mighty nation. to regis
ter decree they have already determined,
to proclaim a candidate they have alreadS-
| chosen. We come, not with the pomp and
circumstance of consolidated wealth, but
as the delegates OF the plain people wEn
believe that all men were created equal,
and that all governments derive their Just
powers from the consent of the governed.
I'VE are not here as the representatives
OF the vast interests which dominate our
industrial life, but as the champions of the
individual citizen. who stands helpless in
who would pivot the finances of the world
upon a single metal. suppementing its
inadequacy by paper currency issued by
a private monopoly at the expense of the
people, but for the millions who be ieve
in the money of the Constitution and n
the ability of their couBtrymen to legislate
for themselves without the previous per-
mission of foreign parIiamaIts, po;enta es,
or princes.
A Victory for Piutocrncy.
THE party in power now received the
last election by and through the support
of the influences we now criticise. Hay-
ing purchased the right to pursue their
various objects. the Government has been
at all times their powerful ally. Hence.
the onward march of organized wealth TO
absolute power and the exaltation OF the
dollar above the rights and the welfare
Of the multitude. Hence the crisis in our
commercial affairs, whose issue, present.
ed in acute form to the voters OF 1900. Is
that of industrial despotism as against the
liberty of the citizen.
Democracy wages no war against
wealth. Under her beneficent rule, It's
creation and amusement have ever been
among the most worthy objects OF human
effort The desire for material comfort
Of progress. The wealth that comes as
the reward of honest industry and thrift
commands and must receive the cncour-
agement and protection of all. But the
wealth that comes through partnership
with the Government, which usu-ps Its
prerogatives and perverts its agencies.
which absorbs the resources ard blasts
the opportunities OF the Individual, crush
es competition, levles tribute on the pro-
ducer and consumer. cOrrupts and pOisoDs
all branches OF official life and reduces
the citizen to dependency upon its will.
excites our just apprehension.
Free institutions must languish before
the communism OF wealth. Official integ
rity cannot survive its temptations.
Against its continued prevalence the con-
science of the nation must be qulckened
and aroused if It's baleful influences are to
be destroyed Modern monopoly is the or
spring of the Republican party. II is the !
genius Of organized con:mercialism. 1t has /,
neither conscience. sentiment. nor patriot :
ism 1t knows neither justice nor morali- |
ty. Its inspiration is greed and its pur
pose accumulation. Corruption is its nee |
essary instrument. No public service is |
too high, none too low. 10 escape its nflu
ences. Its hand is on the throat and in |
the pocket OF every human being in the
nation. 1t sneers at the rights of man and
iefes the sovereignty of States. 1t regu-
iates wages and the prices Of life's neces-
sites 1t divides the territory OF the Un
ion into commercial provir se5, Furnishes in