Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-01
TALKS ON
STATE
ISSUES
GOV. A. B. cUMMlNs, IN ADDRESS
AT FORT DODGE, PLEAsEs
HIS HEARERS.
APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE
People From Fort Dodge and the Sur
rounding Country Listen to Splendid
Speech In Which the Governor Tells
+ of Good Work of Republicans.


Speech In Which the Governor Tells
of Good Work of Republicans.
Fort Dodge, Sept. 30.-(Special.) -
Hovernor Cummins today delivered an
ADDRESS before a large audience in this
Pity, dealing almost entirely with state
issues. People were gathered at Fort
Dodge from the surrounding country,
many coming for several miles to hear
the governor All were pleased with
his address, which touched upon the
work of the republican state officials
during the past few years and brought
to the attention of the auditors some
of the splendid Legislation that has
been accomplished.
Governor cummins' Speech.
The governors speech, which was
applauded to the echo by the big atl-
dience, was in full as follows:
"Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1.-THE democratic platform of 1908, is
a plain and positive declaration for
free trade, and a condemnation of the
republican policy in the Philippines
The republican platform of 1903 is an
equally plain and positive declaration
for protection, and an unqualified APP
proval Of the republican policy in the
Philippines. Therefore, If can paral-
lei the candor which my distinguished
opponent will unquestionably exhibit
throughout the discussion, with fair
ness, this campaign will be, as it ought
to be, absolutely impersonal and the
discussion confined to a consideration
of the party policies and public ques-
tions.
awe Will Win"
1--WE renew the struggle with our
ancient enemies with cheering
confidence, springing not alone
from the soundness of the principles
for which we stand, but also from the
inspiring memories of many and bril-
liant victories in the some field and ov-
pr the same adversaries. We have won
before-we will win now, and will al
ways win so long as political sanity
sits upon its rightful throne. We
should not only win, but win with ev-
cry soldier in the ranks, and this sug-
gestion leads me for moment to a
subject patriotic rather than partisan.
An Off Year.
'In the years which do not involve
the election of officers of the national
government, there are many voters
who either forget or ignore their i'm.
perative duty as citizens of the com.
monwealth, with the result that the ag.
gregate vote in such years is greatly
reduced. | feel that cannot do my
fellowmen a greater service in this
campaign than to awaken, if possible
a higher sense of the obligation which
!, every man owes to his state and to his
country, to vote whenever the laws OF
the land call for an expression of pub
lie opinion through the polls. The full
recognition and complete observance
of this duty is the only safeguard OF
( free institutions The man who can
but does not, vote, is but little less
dangerous to his country than the
traitor who takes up arms against 1t
firmly believe that the day will come
when he who fails to exercise his fran
chise when he can reasonably do so
will forfeit it; for he who does not ap
preciate the highest and most import
ant function of citizenship sufficient.
to perform it, conclusively establishes
his unfitness to participate in the gov
eminent of his fellowmen. Iowa is no
alone Interested in the contest now be
gun. We are rapidly approaching ;
presidential election in which the mos
vital concerns of the nation will be In
volved. and the republic at large cal
we'll demand that the voters of low;
shall marshal themselves, that the.
shall rise, stand and be counted, in or
der that it may be known how man,
of them are for, and how many agains
the continued supremacy of the repuh
lican party, how many for and how
many against the administration o
Theodore Roosevelt, who stands s.
bravely at his post, employing all tn
virtues of great heart and all tn
faculties of great mind in the ser
vice of his couhtrymen.
Speaks Against Apathy.
'.The general truth I have tried Il
express is applicable to men of al
parties, for frankly say that / hav
vastly more respect for the man VIII
votes the democratic ticket, than TO
the man who does not vote at all.
will, however, leave the stimulation
of the democratic vote to those VIII
are more directly interested in it, an
appeal to the republicans of thi
state to shake off the apathy whic
confidence begets, and devote enoug
time to their country to record thei
lasting affection for republican doc
trines and to sound a republican not
so clear and loud that their less fol
tunate companions in other state
may know that there are in Iowa a
hundred thousand more men who b.
lieye in protection than there are VIII