The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-07-02
CHAIRMAN aU1cK's SPEECH.

CHAl RMhN GUlCN SPECCH.
Temporary Chairman, j. n. ouic4s, Of
the democratic convention, in his adj
dress proposed govefnment ownerships
of railroads as means of breaking
down trusts. He said
This convention is evidence that it's
| members sre not entirely satisfied With
the prevailing conditions in state and
nation. We are here both protesting
against things which we condemn and
demanding remedies. Unless there arc
governmental conditions deserving Of
our denuneation we might have better
remained at home and joined in the
paean of prosperity so loudly sung by
the republican press and platform. Our
presence here is proof that there are
wrongs OF which we know. Such being
the case, unless we can offer to the peo-
pie remedies, our deliberations will end
in failure; for, however useful may be
the Office of tho physician, who points
out diseases, that of tho healer who
brings cure is the only one which
great political party should emulate.
The party which lays bare it's oppon-
ent's mistakes does less than half it's
duty. 1t must be for things as we'll as
against things, if it would be called to
power or retained in it.
What then, are the conditions against
which we protest? Is not the nation
prosperous? 1t is true that all over the
land labor seems disconnected and labor
disturbances agitate tho people. Capt.
tai is arrayed against the labor, and
labor against capital. But, strange to
say, we have grown to regard these
strifcs as something to be expected,
and it may be said by some that thor
existence is no proof that we are not
prosperous.
1t is true that in many occupations
wages are lower than ten years ago,
and that where they have seemed to
advance, the cost OF living has advanc-
cd still moro. Yet, employment is more
easily obtained, the mills and factories
are running, the railways are gorged
with traffic and all the processes Of pro-
duction are going on, pouring out gold
en- streams of wealth.
COMPLAINTS MADE.
or what then do we complain? Against
what public foe is it our duty to unfurl
the banners of democracy? Where is
the adversary against whom a Jefferson
would lead the hosts of the people, and
4 on whose armor would be rained the
ringing blows of jackson? If these
mighty ones of the past were with lie
today where is the evil at which they
would bid us strike? In what respect dc
we Americans of today in our personal
and national life fall short of the Amer
cans of the day of Jefferson and Jack
son? The answer must come spontan'
eously to the mind of every man pres
ent. Within the past few years VIC
have all become conscious OF a great
and ominous change in the conditions
under which we live, a change which
fills every thoughtful man with regret
and forboding, change which has crep1
across the spirit of American institu
tons and cast over all a sinister shade
of doubt and fear, dimming the brigh
sunlight of freedom which we once re
garded as our inalienable oirthright
This change has not come about by VIC
lence and bloody revolution, but by TIN
insidious advances, the secret usurpa
tions of class of powerful mon, a elias
constantly narrowing until it is nov
scarcely more than group, 1t has no
been accomplished by open and avowe
attacks upon the right of suffrage, c
freedom of speech or Of the pres
or upon any OF the express right
upon which we have been laugh
to look as the safeguards of liberty, bu
it has come with the gradual cornerin
, of our mines, our coal and oil fields, on
highways, the great original sources {
production, the means of transportation
the avenues of employment until TIL
time has arrived when the once fire
born American is born into monopt
lized and fenced-up world, in which
must walk in the mighty shadow of tn
I owners of his country and ask Of thel
: the right to labor, to life, liberty an
the pursuit Of happiness.
THETRUSTs.
Here lies the wrongs at which tn
: spirits of Jefferson and jackson bid l
strike. This issue we must heed.
the democratic party has any missio
, today, that mission is to set itself
battle array against these new master
of our people, these industrial Caesar
for whom we have coined new name
the trusts.
Do ] cxaggerate this evil? Let hil
: who thinks so look about him. | sc
before me many farmers and the repre-
sentatives Of farmers. The Iowa farm
or is the SYNONYM of indcDendenct