Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-07-13
The Republican Hippodro,ne.

gone. There was much. that was anus
ing, and no Democrat is complaining.
1t was the greatest, because the most
typical, Republican performance that
has been witnessed since the Rough
Riding dictator's troops made their i'm
mortal charge upon n defenseless lunch
counter at Tampa.
8. Talk about your American independ-
ence, but the Chicago convention sets
an example which should never be for
ygotten-or followed. We have heard
much about the glory of individual lib
erty in this republic. 1t has been the
boast of the American that here every
man is sovereign, who may think and
act for himself. Yet here, in the early
dawn of tho twentieth century, under
the glare of concentrated public atten-
ton, the Republican party presents a
spectacle of abasement and obsequious
bringing unprecedented In the history
of the nation, and inexplicable, save
upon the ground of political degrade
ton and decay. 1t was a gathering of
subordinates, obedient and submissive.
1t was the natural outgrowth of sys.
TEN which has erased individuality in
the interest of combination and made
the trust the symbol Of a perverted civ
ilization.
- A gathering In Russia could not haye
been more lmeel1ly submissive to the
Gar than this assemblage Of American
co. IN ~ 70
who divides his time between killing
wild animals in Colorado and slaugh-
tertng American ideals In Washington.
Yes, "soubrette" is the word. Roose-
welt is as fur from being genuine presi-
dental timber as pine is from hickory
or bamboo from oak. But lie has be-
come the Republican attraction. He is
expected to draw the crowd. He plays
to the jaded senses Of the .wprld-weary
While others move naturally in the line
of dignified citizenship, he .cavorts and
pirouettes and poses. He is the nov
clty-the widely advertised and theat-
really introduced star.
In short, it is game Of politics.
with the Republican party, and is play.
ed with rs much lack of human sym
pnthy or sincerity as though every clti.
zen We're craven image and each
voter inanimate clay.
And this self-constituted dictator
whom every self-respecting Republican
Of note privately eXcorlates and public
ly applauds is the candidate Of the par.
ty Of Conservatism and high '.respec.
liability" which persistently opposes
tho Democratic party because Of its
fidelity to the common people. Yes
even more. The political serfs and
panderers who acted under the Roose
welt lash are the men who assume to
represent true Americanisnl, who claim
for their party monopoly of patriot.
ism, and who, wrapping the flag OF
freedom about them. would have you
believe that they are the personifica
ton of the Declaration of Independ
ence.
Dissemblers and hypocrites, Of what
stuff do they think the American PEG.
pie are made?S. Surely 10 intelligent
voter can be deceived by the platitudes
of the platform or the vaudeville antics
Of the candidate. No observing man
can mistake the farcical dummy exhl
hilton at Chicago for convention OF
free men, assembled for the genera
veal. Its every sign proclaimed it tc
be gathering of the national grafters
who prey upon the public and rally
flo hon np rt, t,1
knows no creed save that of Greed, nc
hope save Private Gain.
Its campaign shibboleth is "stanG
pat" which, interpreted In the light Of
history, means '.stand and deliver" fol
it has given birth and strength to the
commercial outlaws who have raised
the black flag Of piracy upon ever,
commercial highway In the land.
When the nominating orators at Chi
cago spoke of the purity of the Re
publican party. to what did they refer
Were they seriously defying the publ,
Intelligence or aspiring to fame n.
llumorists? Did they have referenc,
to the crimes and villninies of tn,
Spanish war, with its vicious contracts
its death-dealing transports, its MAS
matic camps and It's embalmed beef
Were they paying tribute to Llttnuel
and his gloves? Could they have hnt
in mind the unparalleled postofiic,
scandals which have disgraced tn,
postal system throughout the world
and brought the blush of shame to ey
cry postage stamp which looks you Ii
the face?
They. had much to say about justic,
and the reward which merit earns
This must have been in recognition O
that fine. sense of justice which
prompted the promotion Of Leonart
Wood, at one bound, over the heads O
400 loyal and deserving officers of tn,
United States army.
But why enumerate the inconsistent
cies and incongruities Of party whicl
has been most honest In promise ant
buIglarious in performance, and which
exhibits the prlm prudes Of society up
on the outer walls while its real pat
riots are at work upon the treasur!
vaults within? 1t Is the old story
made bold and revolving by the coars
fiber and defiant spirit of the man a
the helm, and every Democrat ma!
look forward with hope and confidenc,
to the coming conflict.
Roosevelt has passed his zenith ant
is n falling meteor. His name carrie,
no magic to tho Chicago convention
md the applause which was finally ex
torted from the yawning crowd wa
the ludicrous climax Of zone maj
show" That 1t was made to order ev
erybody knows, and that 1t was know
to be the grotesque finale of politica
farce comedy was evidenced by tn
smile of mingled amusement, and cha
grin which passed over the face of tn
nation when it was announced.
The country is ripe for a change o
policy. at Washington. There is de
mand for craftsmanship, instead of pc
litical theatricals. The average Amer
lean is praying for return to dignit.
and mental sobriety in the Whit
House. The public longs for an oppor
tunity to substitute sincerity for noel