The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-01
HOCH'S KEYNOTE.
Republican Candidate for Gov
ern0r Opens His Campaign.
Dsvotes Considerable Time to
National Issues.
TALK OF PROHIBITION.
6sys-That He Isn't a Fanatic
on Question.
Neither Has He Renowned Life.
time Views.
On RAILROAD QUESTION
Defends the Position Of Party
in Kansas.
Disposition to Treat Railroads
UnjustIy.
Concludes With Eloquent APP
peal to Young Voters.
ON RAILROAD QUESTION
Defends the Position of Party
in Kansas.
Disposition to Treat Railroads
UnjustIy.
Concludes With Eloquent APP
peal to Young Voters.

E. w. Hoch who delivered his keynote
speech at Marion today spoke as fol-
lows:
We are at the threshold of another
ouadrennial election in the nation and
another biennial election in the state.
In a Republic like ourS, where SOW
ereignty inheres in the people, where
public officials are mere ministers OF
the popular will. and where so-called
rulers are simply servants of the people,
political parties are an essential part
of the machinery of government Di-
vergent views as to public. policies must
always exist among free people, ana
must ever crystalize in party platforms
and find fruition in party domination.
Political parties are not therefore, non
essentials nor even necessary evils. as
some supernatural thinkers believe and
as some dreamers imagine They are
absolutely necessary to the freeSr and
fullest expression of the wisdom and
will of the people. If this be true, then
partisanship in its true sense is highest
patriotism. and an earnest. enthusiastic
adherence to the party which best rep
reSentS ones views as to public pol
icies is not a vice to be condemned or
condoned, but a noble virtue to be
commended and emulated- He who
boasts. therefore, that he belongs to no
political party and owes allegiance TO
none. simply advertises his unfamiliar
ity with the genius of our government
and the practical duties of effective
citizenship. Nor are the various divis-
ions of parties. the national, state and
county organizations. separate entities
having no necessary relation to each
other They are essential parts of
common whole They are inseparable
links in the governmental chain. They
are not derelicts floating at random on
an unknown sea, but, rather, comrade
crafts freighted with mutual interests
and destined to definite and common
port. As well might the eye say to the
- . , +,
hands say to the feet, We have no
need of thee" as for one of these sub
divisions of a party to attempt to dt-
vorce itself from the other.
All experience has proven that weak
ness in county organization weakens
the party in the state, and all detection
and decentralization in the state Grip
pies the national organization. These
reflections are particularly appropriate
at this time. because our opponents,
divided, as they are upon national is
sues. disguised, indeed. as are the
masses with the action of the St. Louis
convention. are attempting to conceal
their chagrin and hide their humilia-
ton in a dust storm of alleged state
issues; Republican voters will be told
that they can voice their party senti-
ments and show their party strength
by casting their ballots for Republican
presidential electors and then they can
consistently help to elevate to place
and power men who have no sympathy
with Republican principles. and who
have no other purpose in this specious
plea than the qualification of their own
personal ambitions at the expense of
the Republican party in state and nation
My opponent has already made this
amusing appeal to Kansas Republic
cans. and frankly based his hopes upon
their response to it. When. may ask
did a Democratic candidate for COVER
nor ever make an argument CD like
this in a Democratic state2 Think you,
my Republican friends, that Theodore
RnnEQUplf
cessions to him at the expense of his
state conferees. and to the ultimate de-
moralization of his party2 Think you
that Republican congressman and pos
sfble United States senators are TO be
assured in this manner? Think YOU
that the ultimate good of the whole
party and the triumph of its principles
are 10 be subSerVed by narrowing the
line Of conflict and weakening the line
of battle a { vital points2 This new YER
sion of the old story of the spider and
the fly viii not fool Kansas RepubIi-
cans IT is interesting only as an illus
tration of the desperate dilemma of our
opponents, and their frantic endeavor
10 escape the discussion of national is
sues But ! serve notice on them here
and now that we will dodge no state is
sue. nor permit them to dodge any ma
tional one This is not to be a guerrilla
war with the combatants hiding in
ambush 1t is to be a battle in the
open, with all the forces engaged. and
with fine fighting all along the line
In nation and in state conflicting
opinions. honestly cherished let us con-
cede. have now found expression in |
party platforms. and nominees in har-
mony with these varying and various
views of public policy have been pre-
scented for popular considera ton. Let |
1t be said without discourtesy to 9TH
ers, that the chief struggle for suprem- |
acy is to be between the Republican |
party and the Democratic party
The Candidates.
Republicans gladly invite a compari- |
son of the personnel of the rival ma
tional tickets Conceding the personal |
excellence of all of the candidates, their |
relative fitness for the exalted positions |
TO which they aspire is a legitimate |
matter of inquiry. OF Mr.. Parker the
Democratic nominee for president. little |
is known. He possesses no known /
qualification for this great office. In |
deed. his evasion of public questions
his refusal to define himself, his mani
fest subserviency to the truths. his fakir |
telegram. denounced by Mr.. Bryan as |
an insult to his party associates whom |
he had deceived. all alike cloud his |
claims to popular support. But I shall |
call to the witness stand a gentleman !
whose testimony should be Weighticr l
than mine with my opponents, at least |
on the 23d OF last Nav Mr. w. ]. Bryan 4
hired a hall in Chicago and made Ions 1
speech in opposition to the nomination /
of Mr.. Parker. New York Democrats, in |
state convention, had recently placed /
Mr.. Parker before the country as their |
candidate for president, on a platform /
which Mr.. Bryan analysed and para