Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-24
PROPHETIC WORDS


Iwenty-nine years ago, before a cultured
audience in the assembly chamber of the
capitol, Chief Justice Ryan made a warning
bowed figure, his transparent face. his Iu,
minous eyes, through which, undimmed
with age Shone the genius of one of the
great inteilects of the last century Again
/ hear his vibrant voice across almost a
generation of time:
There is looming up new and dark
power. | 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 co!ors, 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 trihed
with the sovereign power and inSulted tht
state. There is grave fear that it and it's
great rival have confederated to make par
tItion OF the state and share it as spoils.
Wealth has its rights Industrious wealth
has its honors. These it is the duty of the
law to assert and protect. though weaIch
has great power of self-proUection and in
fuence 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 20 the free and just ad-
ministratiou 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 fill public stations
educated and patriotic free men. or the
feudal serfs of corporate capital ?"
How prophetic his words! The gravest
danger menacing republican institutions to-
day is the overwhelming control of city,
state, and national legislatures by the
wealth and power of public-service corpo-
fatlons This is not more marked with
one political party when in power than with
another. 1t deals with public officials. 1t
makes no political distinctions. 1t can
not be cured by denunciation. 1t cannot
be defended by the cry of ''purist'' or pop
tba 700 or demagogue 1t goes directly to
sap the life Of American citizenship. The
voter elects the candidate; the corporal ton
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 momentous
one. 1t calls for no appeal to passion or
prejudice or fear. 1t cells for courage and
PATRIOTISM and self-sacrifce. 1t calls for
solution Shall the American people be-
come servants instead of masters IF their
boasted material progress and prosperity,-
victims of the colossal wealth this free land
mas LOSAChCu anu 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 Ameri-
can institutions. Surely the party OF
Abraham Lincoln which abolished slavery
which kept the United States undivided
upon the map of the world, win not aban-
don its traditions, it's memories its homes
and become the instrument of Injustice and
oppression. 1t will do it's plain duty now,
as 1t ana In that greatest epoch of the coun-
trys history 1t will meet the issues with
rectitude and unfaltering devotion. strong
in the faith of ultimate triumph
Gentlemen of the convention, the contest
Tor equal and just taxation and nominal
lions by direct vote is not yet completely
won. The nomination which you have lust
rendered me is the unmIstakable, 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
caucuscs and conventions for the nomina-
ton 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. 1 appeal to you, and
through you to the people of the state, to
your efforts until this good work is fin
ished. 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 legis-
lation, who are free from all entanglements
or complications that may force them to
vote contrary to desire and conscience
Wherever senators or aSSemblymen already
have been nominated, let them openly and
publicly proclaim their position with re-
sDect to these issues. This is equally the
right of the party and the public.
LESSONS TO BE CHERISHED
Gentlemen, the contest through which
we 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
why it was begun. 1t has been decided
Let that suffice. 1 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
1 shall give, whether in the public service
or out of 1t, to the contest for good gov
eminent.
Every pledge of the platform which you
have adopted here today has my unquali-
fed approval. and. If elected, I shall, in so
far as the direction of public affairs is COM
mitted to me, faithfully strive to carry out
those pledges.
! accept a denomination firm in the reso-
luton to discharge every duty that devolves
upon me conscientiously, sustained by the
abiding conviction that the republican party
will redeem it's pledges and press on to
other victories.
If again chosen chief executive Of this
it will be my highest en-
deavor personally. and with the aid OF my
associates in office and the cooperation OF
the Legislative department. TO give to the
people of Wisconsin an Efficient and eco
nomic state government, honestly admins
tered in a spirit of Justice to all men and
to all interests.