The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-29

and now with all hope gone, it seemed
that the flag story after all was not
really true.
The prisoners were formed in line,
the American boy with the rest. The
firing squad with loaded guns stood
waiting for the command to fire. But
just at that moment the American con-
sui came running down the street car
rying an American flag. Hurrying for
ward to where the Virginia boy stood
in line waiting for the death shot, he
wrapped the flag around the prisoner,
and then turning to the commanding
officer he said: you put one bullet
into that flag. if you dare; that boy is
an innocent American citizen, and II
you shoot him down the power OF the
American government will wipe the
government of Spain off the face Of the
earth and sink your island into the
sea-"
don't know how you feel about 1t,
but when my government is strong
enough and brave enough to stand Tor
me. | want to stand for it. | want to
stand for what the government stands
for, protection and security for its eiti-
gems. But | will not stand unacr the
cover OF party loyalty, or any other
subterfuge and be silent for party sake
while an organized band OF party
usurpuIs procures the controi OF my
state government.
Ii / am elected governor, | promise
you that | will recommend to the next
legislature and exert every possible in
fiuence at my command to put into the
statutes such laws as will once and for
all destroy the free pass system in Me-
braska.
| also promise you that | will use
every influence | have for the enact
ment of law, making professional
lobbying in the legislature felony.
The maintenance OF a professional lob
by at the state capitol leads to ccrrup-
ttion and mus Ne :
favor the repeal of the present rev.
enue law and the passage of new law
that will distribute equally and justly
the burdens OF taxation.
| There are many other measures that
| will have to be considered. ] will not
pretend to give an outline here. We
must first restore the state gov ernmcnt
and then we will address ourselves ia
the consideration of every Important
question. | want this campaign to be a
living protest against present methods
i'll state affairs. Against the present
administration and its methods am
going to lead revolt am aOing tC
insist that the business of the state
shall be run as carefully and as jul
diciously as any mans private bust
ness.
| call to the populists of the state to
stand by me in this fight. know OF
the sacrifices you have made. Know
of the high and lofty patriotism that
has moved you in other campaigns, and
| / appeal to you with confidence tnat
you will help me. | call to every GEM
ocrat in the state to reinforce me in
this fight to bring back again our state
| government | need your help and
feel confident you will not withhold it.
call upon republicans to give nie your
help | want you to help me in this
fight because our cause is common
ground.
Better far, that the people OF the
state without regard to politics join
hands in this emergency to restore the
!!ssssfzi ats.lhanmio- laarcl under
a partisan flag and help win d partisan
victory for partisan bosses.
Better far. march in the vanguard OF
The hosts of reform and help blaze the
way for self-government again, than
bear Pickering torch in the rear of
the procession in an army of exploita-
ton and ruin.
better far. be right than be wrong,
Letter far be an American citizen than
a pai tisan.