The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-04-24
STIRRING KEYNOTE
Senator Beveridge Addresses the
Republicans of the Hoosler
State.
A VIVID STORY OF PROGRESS

Words Well Fit to inspire the First
Convention of the First Campaign of
the Twentieth Century-America's
Glorious Onward March.
indianapolis. April 23.-In addressing
the Republican state convention, as
sembled here for a two-days' session
today, Hon. Albert ]. Beveridge, per-
manent chairman, said in part:
Fellow Republicans: This is the
first convention of the first campaign
of tie goth century. Let our declara-
tions be worthy of the hour. The
American people are abreast of the
times; the Republican party must
keep abreast of the American people.
Party victories, as such, are nothing;
the progress of the American people
is everything. Harmony with the on
ward movement of the nation makes
a party invicible. Opposition to the
progress OF the republic means de-
served defeat. And so it is that issues
are not invented by men. Issues are
ordained by events.
Consider how this truth has worked
in the century that has passed. The
original states were reluctant to yield
their sovereignty to the nation. But
the people needed the nation. And in
spite of opposition whose ferceness
we cannot realize today, the constitu-
ton was adopted and the nation was
ordained. Then the people required
internal improvements by the national
government. And although Madison
declared that the constitution denied
this power to the republics govern
strenuous political campaigns, the fed
eral government assumed the power
which the nations needs demanded.
Jefferson said that the nations govern
ment could not constitutionally ac-
Quire the territory of Louisiana; Quin-
cy of Massachusetts asserted in con-
gress that its purchase actually dis
solved the Union" But the common
thought of the American people said:
"The mouth of the Mississippi, aye,
and this whole continent, must be
curs." And in spite of the anti-im-
perialism of that day, in spite of his
own denial of power, Jefferson bought
it: and that territory is now the heart
of the republic. The power to tax i'm
ports, except for revenue, was denied
But the determination of the American
people to supply themselves with all
that America herself could furnish de-
manded tariff that would protect
American industries until they were
beyond foreign competition. And in
spite of the continuous resistance of
disbelievers in American resourceful-
ness, protection was established. AMI
our tariff will be successfully changed
only by the party that made 1t.
So we see that from the foundation
of the government the natural move
ment of natural forces has dictated
platforms and won campaigns; and
politicians, statesmen, parties have
triumphed or gone down as they have
Interpreted or opposed those eternal
powers. What then is the movement
of those natural forces today?
In our internal commerce and indus
try it is toward cooperation and COM
bination. This is only another way of
saying that civilization is progressing
Originally it was each man for him
self. Then came business partner
ships. Then a time came when a part
nership was no longer strong enough
to transact the larger business de-
manded by increasing civilization, and
joint stock companies became a neces-
sity of the commercial world. Labor
obeyed the natural law of combination
and workingmen's organization be-
came, and are today when wisely di-
rected. might force for good; work.
ingmen are abler, nobler, more self
respecting.
Statistics Concerning Trusts.
Just as the law of cooperation de-
veloped in the labor world, so it has
developed in the world of capital out
of natural conditions and the necessi-
ties of the people. For example: The
farmer ships his grain to distant
points hundreds, thousands of miles
away. He needs cheap rates and quick
dispatch. Short and separate lines of
railroad were inconvenient, high
priced, unsafe and slow. The business
man required his mail by the swiftest
means; delay of day, an hour, may
mean disaster. Thus transportation
men found that their profit lay in
meeting the necessities of the produc-
ing and the business world. Here IN
Indiana segregated roads were consol-
idated into the big Four" lines. The
old "J. M. & L." "Vincennes" and
-'vandalia" were absorbed by the
Pennsylvania. What followed? I'm.
proved service, increased employment
of labor, higher wages, regular pay
reduced rates on freight, loves fares
for travel, directness, speed and safe
ty. Or take railway employment
throughout the whole republic: In
1890 less than 100000 men were EN-
ployed by American railways, receiv
ing little over $400. .000, 900 in salaries
and wages every year. In 1900 nearly
100000 men were employed by rail
roads. and were paid nearly $3.50. 900.
900 every year. This increase was not
caused by new railways, because to
day there are nearly 300.00 more men
employed by railways than were EN-
ployed IN 1897, and are paid nearly
4120. 600. 900 more every year than they
were paid In 1897; and since then not