Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-21

stained in Wisconsin, no man is permitted
truthfully to deny. After years of discus
nations by direct vote, no party platform
pledged to those issues could have been
adopted unanimously two years ago, unless
that platform proclaimed the will of the
republican party. That many legislators
remained loyal to the party and faithful to
their constituents for the enactment OF
these pledges into law, battling for the right
and steadfastly endeavoring to hold the
party erect in honor, will never be forgotten
by the people of wisconsin.
Opposition to that platform sought to
Justify itself upon the plea that the pledges
were not well understood and did not rep
resent the real sentiment of the party
That claim will not be made again. For
eighteen months the debate has been on. If
the arguments have not always been adj
dressed to reason, it the discussion has not
always been parliamentary, at least the
finally made.
PARTY WILL EXPRESSED.
There can be no misunderstanding as to
the republican platform of 1902. Whatever
difference of opinion individuals may have
heretofore entertained, as republicans they
must now acquiesce in the expressed will of
the party. 1t has spoken in no uncertain
voice for the enactment of these platform
declarations into law in % of the 33 Sefte
ate districts and 20 of the 100 assembly
districts of the state. 1t has proclaimed
by overwhelming majority, from Lake Su~
perior to the Illinois line, that it's promises,
SOVN
PROPHETIC WORDS.
Twency-n1ne years ago, before cultured
audience in the assembly chamber of the
capitol, Chief Justice Ryan made warning
forecast l see him now as then,-his
bowed figure. his transparent face his In~
minOus eyes, through which, undimme6
with age, shone the genius of one of the
great intellects of the last century Again
l hear his vibrant voice across almost
generation of time:
'"There is looming up new and dark
power. l cannot dwell upon the signs and
mutation of individual wealth seems to be
greater than it ever has been since the
downfall of the Roman empire. And the
enterprises of the country are aggregating
vast corporate combinations of unexampled
capital, boldly marching not for economic
conquests only, but for political power. We
see their colors; we hear their trumpets,
we distinguish the sound of preparation in
the camps. For the first time really in
our politics, money is taking the field as
an organized power 1t is INSCRIPTIONS,
arrogant, and overbearing. Already, here
at home one great corporation has trifed
with the sovereign power and insulted the
state. There is grave fear that it and its
great rival have cOnfederated to make par
tition of the state and share it as spols
Wealth has it's rights. Industrious wealth
has it's honors. These it is the duty of the
law to assert and protect, though wealth
has great power of self-protection and in
fiuence beyond the limits of integrity. But
money as a political influence is essen
TALLY corrupt; it is one of the most dam
gerous to free institutions by far the
most dangerous to the free and just adj
ministration of the law. 1t is entitled to
fear if not to respect The question will
arise, and arise in your day, though per-
haps not fully in mine: Which shall rule,
wealth or men; which shall lead, money
or intellect: who shall Gil public stations,
educated and patriotic free men, or the
feudal serfs Of corporate capital?"
How prophetic his words The gravest
danger menacng republican institutions to-
day is the overwhelming control of city,
state, and national legislatures by the
wealth and power of public-service corpo-
rations This is not more marked with
one political party when in power than with
another 1t deals with public officials. Ii
makes no political distinctions. 1t can
not be cured by denunciation. 1t cannot
be defended by the cry of ''purist" or pop
the root of government. 1t threatens to
sap the life of American citizenship. The
voter elects the candidate; the corporation
controls the official. 1t leaves the citizen
the semblance of power which is actually ex-
ercised against him.
THE PEOPLE AS SERVANTS.
The problem presented is a momentous
one. 1t calls for no appeal to passion or
prejudice or fear. 1t calls for courage and
patriotism and Self-sacritice. 1t calls for
solution. Shall the American people be
come servants instead Of masters OF their
boosted material progress and prosperity
victims of the colossal wealth this free land
has fostered and protected Surely our
great cities our great states our great ma
ton, will not helplessly surrender to this
most insidious enemy which is everywhere .
undermining official integrity and Amerl-
can institutions. Surely the party OF
Abraham Lincoln which abolished slavery,
which kept the United States undivided
upon the map of the world VIII not aDan-
don it's traditions, it's memories, it's hopes,
and become the instrument of injustice and
oppression. 1t will do it's plain duty now,
as it did in that greatest epoch of the coun-
try's history. 1t will meet the issues with
rectitude and unfaltering devotion, strong
in the faith of ultimate triumph.
Gentlemen of the convention, the contest
for equal and just taxation and nomina-
tions by direct vote is not yet completely
won. The nomination which you have just
rendered me is the unmistakabe, the en-
phatic demand of the republican party for
the prompt enactment of these laws. But
between that expressed will and the ripen
ing of these measures into law, there are
caucuses and conventions for the nomlna-
tion of candidates for the senate and as
sembly. When the legislature convenes,
there are the same forces TO be met and
contended with that led to the undoing OF
the last legislature. / appeal to you, ana
through you to the people OF the state, TO
be yigilant to the last hour. DO not relax
your efforts until this good work is I'M
shed. Let no man be named for the legis-
lature who is not fully in accord with the
republican platform Name only men who
are willing to go on record for this leglS-
lation, who are free from all entanglements
or complications ludl may 1OICc CnCIA "
vote contrary to desire and conscience.
Wherever senators or assemblymen already
have been nominated, let them openly and
publicly proclaim their position with re
spect to these issues. This is equally the
right Of the party and the public
LESSONS TO BE CHERISHED.
Gentlemen, the contest through which
have just passed strengthens the Pill
lars of government by the people and for
the people 1t teaches the sacredness OF
public obligation. 1t elevates moral stand
ards in public life
These are lessons which we should cher
ish. Let all else of this contest be forgot
ten. 1t does not signify who began It., or
why it was begun. 1t has been decided
Let that suffice. l do not treasure one
personal injury or lodge in memory one
personal insult With individuals | have
no quarrel and will have none The span
of my life is too short for that. But so
much as it pleases God to spare unto me
l shall give whether in the public service
or out of it, to the contest for good gov
eminent.