Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-09-16
(From The Independent, Lincoln, Neb.
August %, 1904


August 25, 1904
Cooper Union, the historic monu-
ment to the populism Of the venerable
Peter Cooper, was thronged with thou
sands of the tried and true. at the for.
NAL notification of the peoples party
candidates for president and vice-presi'
dent, Watson and Tibbles Every seat
in the historic hall wGs filled long be-
fore the ceremony began. Hundreds
of men who have in the past two cam
paigns been conspicuous Bryan demo-
Gratis" were prominently in evidence
No small number of the vast tn, one
were women, and their interest in the
proceedings recalled to mind the old
days of populism, when the valiant
women of the land joined in the en-
thusiasm devoted to the principles OF
liberty.
A notable feature of the gathering
was the rising of the vast audience to
cheer the name of the late Henry
George, to whose memory Mr.. Watson
paid an eloquent tribute. The single
takers, the followers Of the illustrious
Henry George, were much in evidence.
Alfred G. Boulton, of Brooklyn,
chairman of the meeting, introduced
Judge Samuel w. Williams, Of Indiana,
who in an eloquent speech, teeming
with the principles of staunch Amer
icanism, notified Mr.. Watson OF his
nomination.
In addressing Mr. Watson, Judge
Williams said the convention that
nominated him was made up OF I'M
selfish, self-sacrificing patriots, who at
tended and participated in its delibera-
lions solely through a high sense OF
duty.
The purpose of the convention, he
continued, was to take one more step
in the evolution Of progress, which
is to finally bring us to that ideal con-
dition of society where the laborer
shall receive the full fruits of his Ia
Dor. and an injury to one shall be the
concern OF all.
While the band played "DiXie," and
men and women stood upon seats and
cheered and waved flags, Mr.. Watson
came to the front Of the platform to
make his speech. 1t seemed as though
every person in the building was a
devoted follower of the well-known
Georgian 1t was five minutes before
the demonstration quieted down suf-
ficiently to allow Mr.. Watson to begin.
His first sentence, delivered in splen-
did voice, won his hearers, and until
his last word applause and cheering
interrupted his speech His fearless
utterances, biting wit and ready an
swer to frequent Interruptions made
his speech an impressive one to his
listeners, and he was cheered again
and again after he had concluded.
Mr.. Watson wore black sack coat,
dark trousers and a narrow black tie.
with a turn down collar. He did not
speak rapidly, and his speech occupied
more than an hour in its delivery.
His gestures were frequent and charac-
teristic. He was perfectly at home
with his audience, which was made
I'D of men of all walks of life and
political creeds, and his references to
government ownership Of public utili-
ties and his attacks upon both the re-
publican and democratic parties In the
present campaign never failed to win
responsive applause.
Mr.. Watson referred to William Ran
dolph Hearst and again the audience
rose to its feet cheering. There were
Kisses for Theodore Roosevelt and
Judge Parker, howl Of derision for
Grover Cleveland and David B. Hill,
and a storm of bowls and yells for
August Belmont and Senator Patrick
McCarren.
"What democratic principle or ideal
does the national democratic party, as
it is at present constituted, stand for?''
asked Mr. Watson.
sNone, none" came the answer from
all over the hall. 'It stands for
graft" came a shout from the back
of the hall. and the word was taken
I'D and repeated all over the hall.
"The candidate up the Hudson river,
having without trial prejudged the
case of the Colorado miners, declares
that the origin of the trouble was the
use OF dynamite by union miners" said
Mr.. Watson.
At this point there was some con-
fusion and three cheers were called for
and given for union labor.
The Speech.
Mr.. Watson spoke as follows:
In this era when so many men wear
their political beliefs loosely, in this
time when the voter who went to bed
demonstrating prayed for free
silver before closing his eyes-awakes
in the morning and finds himself I'M
der the necessity of clothing himself
in the irrevocable gold standard. or OF
having no democratic garments to
wear-it is something to be able tc
say belong to a party which has
never struck it's flag. which will not
desert its creed which stands today
Just where it stood on the day of its
birth. which glories in its principles
in the hour of defeat. which believes IL
has a message to mankind and mis-
sion to perform, and which will never
cease the struggle to restore our gov
eminent to the democratic ideal of the
wise men, the good men. the great men
who framed it.
Unless I am entirely mistaken. there
was never e tina when the plain peo-