Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-02

From Wednesdays Daily.
That this is no time for the revis
ion of the tariff schedules is the opin-
ion of George d. Perkins, who today
presided as temporary chairman of the
republican state convention in this
city. Mr.. Perkins address is mas
terful statement of the conditions of
affairs in the United States and of the
part that has been taken in the build
ing of the nation by the republican
party ever since its inception. His
address is one which can be read
by republican and democrats alike, for
information and enlightenment along
political lines.
Mr.. Perkins is man who has had
great experience in politics. He is
and has for several years been editor
of the Sioux City Journal, one of the.
strongest republican papers in the
state. and he has had much to do with
the shaping of events in the republi-
can circles especially in northwestern
Iowa. His opinions, therefore, are val
liable and carry with them much
weight. He is republican of the old
school, a man who has convictions
which he believes are right and who
is ready to give the voters of the
state the benefit of his deductions.
Mr.. Perkins Speech.
Mr.. Perkins speech which was
heard with great applause by the dele
gates gathered in the convention hall
in Dcs Moines today, was as follows:
Gentlemen of the conventions: You are
net hefe Under good omen republicans,
Representatives, of great state and OF
great PARTY M mbers of and co-workers
with the national republican party.
That's the idea
1t is a very great pleasure to extend
congratulations.
A Gathering For Peace.
This is a gathering not for war, hut for
pence; there is a time for each. You are
gathered here in family interest, to nomin-
ate a ticket and TO declare your platform:
md Sopr responsibility in the business OF
3 thissafy X both state and national
The circumstances under which this con-.
rertjon Is assembled are most happy. The
Mateiiai interests of this state and of our
country have been greatly prospered. The
republican party. as the party of RESPONSE
tility, has large things to its credit.
"Good Luck Party"
In the dark days of the last democratic
administration you will remember it was
said in apology of the democratic party
that 1t was the victim of untoward circum-
stances. Your democratic friends, busy
with explanations, spoke much of luck.
They said the democratic party was the
victim of conditions to which it was heir
from the republican party. That the par
ty had world of trouble in managing the
estate need not be denied. After the house
cleaning following the election of 1896, and
when the sunshine was busy warming the
blood of the working people, your demo-
cratic friends reminded you that it was
lust their luclS-nnG yourS
need make no concealment in this pres
ence that it gives me great pleasure to be-
long to the party of good luck.
That's another idea.
A Notable co-Incdent.
This is true; that coincident with the
life of the republican party good luck has
been the rule with the American people
The half century last past is the richest
contribution ever made in point of time to
the history of the human race The hope
is that it may presage the history of the
century upon which the world has entered.
In contemplating the work awaiting
your hands there is both strength and
courage In review of the serene landmarks
on the way over which our country has
come. Here and there, as we may know,
we builded better than we knew. On that
way are many graves but above them, all,
the known and the unknown, floats the flag
Of our triumphant union. The record has
mark of many heroes. Many times the
way was dark, and there was consuming
\ hunger and thirst. The end was hidden
even to the prophetic eye of our great Lin
coin. But now the clouds are lazy in the
sky; the shadows are of peace. and the re-
Election of the sun is given back from the
rivers and mountain sides of all the states.
The Wilmot Proviso.
David Wilmot, democrat, from Pennsyl-
yaHia, proposed in the house of representa-
Z tives in 1876 the famous proviso. In that
year war against Mexico had been declared
James X. Polk was president. The Wimot
proposition was that neither slavery nor
involuntary seryitude should ever exist In
any territory acquired by the United
States from Mexico. The amendment fall
ed to become a part of the law as the
8 object of it would defeat the purpose Of
the war. Texas had been annexed the
year before. The slave power was hungry
4 for territory to Offset the influence of the
expanding west.
Polk had sent special message to con-
gress representing that "the chief obstacle
In securing peace was the adjustment of "A
!, boundary line that would prove satisfac-
8 tory and convenient to both republics"
For the accomplishment of this purpose he
) asked that a sum of money be placed at
i his disposal, and the biz. to which Wilmot
offered his amendment named S2O0OOOO
increased to $3,oOO0oO, was passed in the
succeeding session Of congress, without
:, the proyiso.
The Wilmot proviso was the herald Of
the republican party.
Lapse of Fifty Years.
In passing let me call your attention to
contrast in the administration of Polk
; and the administration of Mckinley, sepa-
rated in the distance of time by more than
3 fifty years
Polk received from congress, grudgingly,
under circumstances such as l have sug-
gested, S3,00o,000 to be used in his dfscre-
ton to bring to a close the war with Mex
{ leo.
Mckinley received from congress, spon-
taneously, $50.000,000 to be used wholly
within his discretion in preparation for
!. war with Spain. The history of 1898 is re-
cent history. The action of the tifty-ffth
2 congress in the instance recall has no