Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-18

/ this position, but the controlling one
with me Is that l am fully persuaded
/ that no incumbent of that Office should
ever be placed in situation of pos
sible temptation to consider what the
effect OF action taken by him in an ad-
ministrative matter of great import
ance might have upon his political
fortunes. Questions of momentous con-
sequence to all of the people have
I been in the past and will be in the fu-
! ture presented to the president for de-
termination, and in approaching their
consideration, as well as in weighing
I the facts and the arguments bearing
| upon them, he should be unembar-
raised by any possible thought of the
/ influence his decision may have upon
anything whatever that may affect
! him personally. | make this statement
not In criticism of any of our presi-
dents from Washington down who have
either held the Office for two terms or
sought to succeed themselves; for
strong arguments can be advanced in
support of the reelection of a presi-
dent. 1t is simply my judgment that
the interests of this country are now
so vast and the questions presented are
/ frequently of such overpowering mag
nitude to the people that it is indis-
Ipensable to the maintenance of be-
fitting attitude before the people, not
only that the chief magistrate should
be Independent but that that independ-
cnce should be known of all men"
To Judge Parker.
The speech of notification was made
by Champ Clark, who declared that
the most momentous political perform
ance known among men is the
quadrennial election of an American
president. The supreme executive
power Of 100000 free people changes
hands with simplest ceremony and
most perfect order. While the con-
test for votes is waged with earnest
ness and husiasm-sometimes with
much heat and bitterness-the ready
acceptance of the result by the de-
Heated is the surest augury of the
perpetuity of our Institutions.
All history proves that govern.
ment bottomed on popular suffrage is a
government by party, continued Mr..
Clark. Experience shows that he
serves his party best who serves his
country best. The names most fondly
cherished are those of men who de.
voted their time, their energies, their
talents, their fortunes and their lives
to the promotion of the public veal.
Stronger incentive to high and patriotic
endeavor no man hath than the hope to
stand through all the ages in that good
ly company. Out of the profound DELHI
erations of the st. Louis convention
emerged a reunited party, which goes
forth conquering and to conquer. The
flower of the democracy assembled
there to consult on the state of the
country and to take measures for re.
storing the government to the princi.
pies enunciated by the fathers, from
which 1t has drifted far in these latter
days. Every phase Of democratic
opinion was represented by brave, hon
est and able champions in that CON
clave of free and patriotic men.
Continuing, Mr. Clark said: THE St.
Louis convention carried out no cut
and-dried program. Its delegates were
not mere automatons or marionettes
waving and talking when the strings
were pulled by one man. Speech and
action were absolutely free and the
great debates which took place there
will constitute part of the permanent
political literature of the country. No
effort was made to gag or bride any
one. II a delegate had a pet idea
which he was anxious to exploit, he
was given an adequate and respectful
hearing before either the platform
committee or the entire convention.
Every man had his say To none was
opportunity denied. Out of it all grew
such unity as encourages lovers of
liberty and of pure government every
where. We enter upon this campaign
with the strength which grows out of
the union of a mighty party, with the
enthusiasm born of truth. with the
courage that emanates from a right
eous cause, with the confidence of men
animated by noble purposes and lofty
patriotism, The principles of democ-
racy are grounded in eternal truth. AS
they are not for day but for ali
time and are as applicable in this hour
as when he proclaimed them in his
inaugural address which has become a
classic. The necessity of putting Them
into practice is as pressing now as 1t
formulated by the father of democracy
was then. To once more make them
the basis of our political action is the
pleasant but arduous task assigned you
by the democracy of the land.
ITO serve the whole American PEG.
pie, without discrimination, faith.
| fully and we'll. to distribute the bless.
ings of the federal government Impair.
tally among all our citizens; to tighten
the burdens of government by reducing
taxation to the minimum and by rigid