Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-08
Address Of Temporary

Cedar Rapids. Aug. 6.-tSpeciaD-
One of the largest crowds that ever at
tended convention was present today
and at an early hour this morning be-
gan swarming into the auditorium
where the convention is in session.
The hall is not holding nearly all those
who desire admission. Tickets are
selling as high as SIS. The house is
packed to the doors.
Speech of Temporary Chairman.
At IL o'clock this morning Chairman
H. o. Weaver called the meeting to
order and introduced Hon. James c..
Davis, who spoke as follows:
81 want to thank the members of
the state central committee and the
members of the convention for what |
consider high honor and an especial
privilege-the opportunity of tempo
rarily presiding over this magnificent
assemblage, the largest republican
convention ever held in the state of
Iowa. This splendid audience of earn
est, patriotic men, the representatives
of the dominant party of the state, is
an inspiration to Iowa republicanism
and a sure promise of the success
which the future has in store for us.
"The republican party, in consider
ing the momentous events which have
occurred in the last four years, has
much cause for decentralization and
may be pardoned if it INDUCES in just
little Standardization. The people
of the present who have witnessed re-
cent great events, and in a humble
way have been factors in shaping their
course, have in many instances failed
to appreciate their Importance, or the
great influence which they will have
upon the future of this nation. The
. nineteenth century marked the close
of the old order of affairs. The TWEEN
tieth century marks a new epoch in
the life of the republic. The years of
the century just concluded have been
given to the internal development of
our, nation. which nature with such
lavish prodigality has enriched with
an infinite variety of climate and prod
ucts, and to which she has given
boundleSS resources, and have marked
growth, progress and prosperity
heretofore unequalled in the history of
the world-a growth from weak
struggling and experimental republic
of six or seven millions, to a proud
strong. imperious and permanent ma
ton of seventy-seven millions of act.
The new century opens with a new
life, new fields to be occupied. and new
problems of government. There is a
destiny that shapes the ends of ma
lions as of individuals There is an ir-
resistible logic of events which deter
mines the course of nations as of men,
and when Providence has marked out
line of conduct human opposition be-
comes puny and futile.
We Know Them.
1.-THE details of the great events of
the last four years are familiar to all,
and their recital would be wearisome.
But may be pardoned if in word
recapitulate? Four years ago the
United States of America was at peace
with the world, and following the adj
vice of the fathers of the revolution
had evaded and avoided all foreign en-
tanglements. The tragedy of the cen.
fury was being enacted, however, at
our very doors. Under the shadow OF
the republic, almost within our sight
and hearing, a nation of more than a
half of human beings, men, women
and children, was being eXterminated
with refinement of cruelty and tor
ture that was most shocking to all
sense of humanity and mercy; and
this capital punishment was being adj
ministered to a nation because it as
pired in 1897 to follow the example OF
the American people in 1776, and
sought those priceless boonS of liber
ty and independence. The shrunken
countenances and wasted arms of heI
starving people We're turned with eX
pectant hope and mute appeal to thai
land which represented in the highest
degree human liberty, progress and
prosperity, and the hearts and con
sciences of the American people re
sponded to their call. The resolution
of the American congress, passed April
20, 1898, which declared '"Ihat the
people of Cuba are and of right ought
to be free and independent" and which
further disclaimed ANY disposition OF
intention to exercise sovereignty, jur
isdiction or control over said islanC
except for the pacification thereof,
will go down in history as the mos
generous, unselfsh and magnanimouE
act of a great world and powerful ma
tion which the world has ever known
There was no thought of territorial ag
grandizement, no desire to punish OF
humiliate an enemy, there was sin
gle purpose to save nation from star
walton and death and extend to it tn,
precious gift of liberty. The event;
which followed this resolution wer,
object lessons to the nations of thu
world. The American people, wht
were supposed by the powers of Eu
rope to have lost their military spri
and prowess, raised an inyincible al
my of invasion, and this nation o
'shopkeepers, as military Europe re
ferred to us, became a nation of sol
diers. The American. navy which 70
more than thirty years hal been upoi
dress parade and target practice, gay,