The San Francisco call., 1904-09-08
wATTERsoN FINDS AN ISSUE,
Says Republican Party Should Be De-
feated Because of Its Power.

Says Republican Party Should Be De-
feated Because of Its Power.
NEW YORK, Sept. Nearly 500
Democratic editors from all parts of
the United States met at banquet in
the Waldorf-Astoria tonight, the oc-
casion being a national conference of
Democratic editors, which was called
at the instance of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee. ~
When Dixie" was played the diners
many of whom were from the South,
jumped to their feet and 1.-The rebel
yelI' was given several times. Enthu-
siasm was at the highest pitch when
the selection was encored.
Henry Watterson responded to the
toast 1.-The Issues and the Outlook" :"
He said. in part:
1 believe we can win this Presidential battle.
I will go even further and say that. with any,
thing like even. show down of powder and
ball it will be. our own fault If We lose IT.
The two parties will go to the finish fairly
united. Each will poll very nearly, II not
quite, its normal strength. The independent
vote therefore will decide the result. If L
were a Republican-and over about the head
waters of Bitter Creek there are Democrats
who insist that am not much better-I would
vote for Parker and Davis against Roosevelt
and Fairbanks. Being only a. plain American
who loves his country apd clings to its insu-
do II because it-seems-to me the upright. thing
to do the enlightened thing to do the prudent
and honest thing to do. $50
In spite of some excesses of feeling and mis-
takes of judgment. the Democratic heart beats
true TO the essentlat prhciples 0L tne repuoc
eand ordained by our incomparabie constitution.
In spite Of their intelligepce and senergy. the
sRepublican leaders are losing sight OF their
fidelity to both Even the errors Of the Demo
Gratis lean TO virtues side, while the very
virtues of the Republicans are beginning to be
"sicklied Ger with a pale cast" of corruption
This is not because the Democrats are Demo-
Gratis or the - Republicans are Republicans
The label has little toS do with IT, 1t is be-
cause the nature of long dominancy tends first
to corruption and then, threatened, with ex-
The issue before, US is whether the people will
allow the Republican party to grows-so potent,
short of some dfref convulsion shaliete able to
uproot IT, or whether they shalt before it is
hand and bid1 them stand aside whilst in the
persons Of Pafker and Davis they, recover into
their own hands the lost balance Of power
power which is now lodged in the executive
mansion at Washington hankedson one side by
the Speaker. Of the House and'5hls Committee
on Rules. supported, the other side by a
group OF Senators who seek only to know the
Presidents will in order to obey it.
1 dread the one man power. Still more 1
dread the enesparty power; absolutism at
length barricadihg Itself against the reach of
the people: the opposition thoroughly debauch-
ed and because of its rehabilitation and
impotency only degree less corrupt than the
tion of organized Interests. slowly but surely
breeding caste distinction; our public a
race OF Medicean prices without the learning
or the arts OF Florence; the old free system
OF Washington and Franklin and Jefferson a
very syndicate OF wealth and officialism; re-
public only in name: a world power in fact
more imperial in. its aggressions and resplen-
dency than Rome itself.
II we want these things let US by all means
elect Theodore Roosevelt.
What risks do even honest Republicans take
in setting Roosevelt and Fairbanks aside and
in preferring Parker and Davis2 The money
of the country Is safe beyond power of huma n
agency TO disturb IL. The revenue laws are
not likely TO be adjusted to suit me and men
like me until, the manufacturers come TO see as
they, tsurely will that the protective tariff is
hfndrance and not a help to American Industry
where then, is the danger?
Clark Howell, editor of the Atlanta
Constitution, spoke to the toast Dem
ocratic Success, the Guarantee of Ma
tional Unity" He said, in parta .
Any political party is entitled to hold and to
urge its views upon the economic questions
of the day, but a. party that would build it's
hope OF success. as the Republican party has
done. upon a bold and defiant challenge of the
peace, prosperity and happiness OF the people
Of great section of country Isl neither ei-