The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-08-01
Primary Election Reform.

am not pessimistic upon any Of the
grave questions confronting our people.
l believe that any man without bile on
his stomach, who takes q square and
comprehensive view of present con-
ditions, social, industrial. and political,
in the light of all the past, will conclude
that our people are making positive
progress in all these directions, some Of
our modern prophets to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
am firm, positive, aggressive part
isan. There is not a trace of the mug
wump in my composition.
am republican from principle and
deep conviction, because l believe the
republican party to be the real party OF
the people, the plain people whom
Abraham Lincoln loved. and with all
its mistakes and shortcomings it is still
the best product of a century of govern
ment by parties.
am not an idealist. believe that
political affairs must be conducted in a
practical way and by practical methods
/ have abiding faith in the intelli-
gence,, conscience, and experience Of
the people, and that when protected in
the exercises of their will and response
bility they are able to solve correctly all
the problems that arise in the progress
of government.
W. ho-o e.aa1, ~, o,r aY,oru q fOrci-
bic example of the exercise Of the
qualities referred to. The memorable
and momentous election of 1896 is still
fresh in our memories. Then was sub
mitted to the people one Of the gravest
issues ever submitted to electors in the
whole history of self-government. We
recall the gravity Of that situation.
The political skies were black with the
fury of pent-up storms; wise and
thoughtful men were facing the future
with blanched faces; brave hearts were
heavy with fear, and loyal homes were
filed with apprehension Of judgments
to come The great question of a
nations currency and finance was sub
mitted to the common citizen, who, in
the quiet of his home, in the light OF
his own freside, and in the presence OF
his wife and children, solved the ques
ton, and solved it right. In that issue
not upon men renowned in statesman
ship and finance, but upon the silent
folded ballot of the American freeman
hung the prosperity of the nation and
the fate of this republic. Never before
in history has there been such triumph
of popular government That election
turned an electric searchlight upon the
strength, dignity, and stability OF
American citizenship, as did Manila and
Santiago upon American patriotism.
Together they revealed to the world fo1
the first time the American freeman,
the product of a century of self-govern.
ment, in the maturity of his strength,
confident of his powers proud of his
past facing the future.
The figure Of American citizenship
enthroned with the power of the re.
public, takes its place among the great
powers of the earth, standing in the
glowing dawn of the worlds new day.
representing and symbolizing the spirit
of freedom and republicanism and sell
government, to the worlds progress and
civilization forever.
On behalf of American citizenship
speak for an honest primary system,
desire to say some plain things upon {
homely subject, because / think they
ought to be said, and perhaps those O.
us not actively connected with part.
politics, who are out in the bush ant
fra1 "a 4l.aah a,.e..,.I ..z;4l e.,4 ..aa4.a;,,4