Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-15

you gain?
Need Political Identity.
CAS- people we have lost our iden-
tity in politics, and this we must re.
gain or submit to a bondage far more
devastating than the slavery from
which we emerged in 1862. The bond
age from which we came was forced
upon us by the stealth and intrigue Of
the slave trader, coupled with the dire
ignorance and stupidity of our uncivil-
ICED ancestry, while the scourge with
which we are now blighted is in
measure by and with our own consent.
1t is now, in order to enter our pro-
test, and this can only be effectively
done by political action. We must
stand up and be counted. The cue has
been given us by both the dominant
parties for us to stand alone, or fall
in the shuttle. What then, shall we
falter?
Platform Measures.
81 most heartily subscribe to the
platform of the national liberty party
in It's entirety. The demand for the
literal application of the federal con-
stitution or it's complete. enforcement
| in all parts Of the republic, meets my
most enthusiastic approval.
"The stand taken for universal suf-
frage is decidedly high ground, and
| this must eventually maintain, or the
republic cannot stand.
"The pensioning of all veterans of the
civil, as we'll as the Mexican war, Is a
growing sentiment which should be
developed and crystallized into law.
"The abolition Of polygamy is most
peremptorialy demanded by the mod
ern spirit of our Christian civilization,
and this issue should be dealt with as
a moral evil. a religious blight.
"To demand pension for the ex-
slave is, but the presentation of just
note for the payment of claim
wherein value has actually been re-
ceived,' said note bearing neither upon
| it's face nor back endorsements OF
credit, but upon its front and back may
be seen many indentures of debt.
ITO declare for the absolute freedom
and independence of the Philippine Is
land, is but the reiteration of our un-
compromising fidelity to the true spir.
1t of the declaration of independence,
and the federal constitution. We can.
not consistently demand for ourselves,
| freedom and independence while we
favor denying this boon to others.
at has for many years been my opin
ion that tariff for revenue only is the
correct policy of political economy for
this country to adopt. / am now more
strongly than ever convinced that the
insubsidized competition Of all lines OF
commerce and industry will best serve
the interests of the masses That the
masses and not the classes are entitled
to the earnest consideration of con
gress. the administration and the
courts, is fundamental to our very sys
TEN Of government, is too we'll es
tablished to require argument. The ne
gro has never endorsed the protective
tariff policy because of it's merit, bu
simply because it has been the polio!
Of the republican party. Now that thii
party has shown the cloven foot we
are forced to resort to that ,unquench
able and unconquerable resource
which is inherent with all civilized HUI
mainly, namely: reason, the mother O
all Observation-Disclosures we may meas
ure our real interests in this or tina
political policy OF all the people wht
comprise the vast population OF THU
lrenublic,the negro, it occurs to me. il