The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-04-15

Because of it's fearlessness, truth
fulness and manly dignity Of utter
ance the speech of the Honorable Will
liam Lindsay, state chairman, de-
livered when the recent republican
state convention was called to order
by him is reproduced in its entirety
by The Gazette. The remarks OF the
distinguished gentleman contain much
that may be read and pondered with
profit by both republicans and demo-
Gratis. They are an honest exposition
and righteous announcement of politi-
cal methods that have obtained in
the state, and few will care to contra
dict what the speaker said. While
partisan, of course, yet Mr.. Lindsay
did not hesitate to make just criticism
of those on his own political side
whom he deemed as meriting it. Above
all he was candid and fair and spoke
with an intensity of purpose that
must carry conviction to the minds
of all who read his speech. Hear
him:
"It is certainly gratifying to see
so many who have left their associates
and business and come here at this
time of year, when perhaps other
personal reasons might well keep them
away, to voice the sentiments of re-
publicanism at this convention.
"While the work of this convention
is practically that Of naming dele
| gates to the republican national con-
vention, to be held at Chicago, it is
! in some respects the most important
of the two republican conventions
that will be held i'm the state during
! the year, in that it gives the party
the opportunity clearly TO define it's
position and enunciate it's policies be-
fore any of the other political parties.
! One of the inalienable rights of the
American citizen is the right to cast
his ballot in favor of candidates to
fill the administrative, legislative and
judicial offices, who represent his po-
litical principles and who can be relied
| upon to carry out the policies of the
political party to which he belongs.
Zone of the brightest jewels that
sparkles in the diadem which crowns
the supremacy of American citizen
ship is the loyal submission that is
given to the will of the majority,
and the ease and smoothness with
which the power and authority to
govern is permitted to pass from one
political party to another. No mat
ter how fierce the conflict may have
been, or how bitter the feeling en-.
gendered by the wide difference in the
policies advocated, when the ballot
has been cast and the will OF the
majority registered all signs of the
battle disappear and with one accord
we accept, for the time being at least,
the policy of the victors as the law
OF the land.
Party and Individual Duty.
"Our government is q government
of parties, and it is the aim of every
Epatriotic citizen, care not whether
he be democrat, a republican, or 8
member of some other political or
ganization-if he be a patriot, his
aim is to preserve the purity and main
tain the integrity of the political party
to which he belongs. He who woul6
make any of our great political par
; ties the subservient tool of any indi
vidual or corporation, or use them fol
, any selfish or special interest, is al
enemy to his country. And he whs
would destroy the integrity of ou
political parties, would shatter int
fragments the very foundation of ou
/ government
"The legitimate aim of all politica
parties is to secure such an admin
] istration of the affairs of the stat
and nation as will bring the creates