Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-23

is somewhat personal. During The
years that I have been the object OF
SO much criticism, / have not replied
to my critics; believing that the course
of time would vindicate me If / was
right, and condemn me if was wrong.
| want at this moment to say OF and
for the Iowa idea that it is simply the
name which an enterprising news
paper writer attached to a sentiment
which began with the birth of the re-
publican party, and has been it's con-
trolling motive during its whole ex-
istence, q sentiment which is Just as
prevalent among the republicans OF
other states as 1t Is In the state of
Iowa. 1t has been much caricatured, II
has been held UP to public scorn, 1t
has been buried fathoms deep, accord
Ing to the apostles of the opposition,
a score of times. and yet, sphinx like.
1T rises stronger than ever, and today
1T Is the hope of more people than any
other political belief which ever found
Its way into the human heart. 1t is
greatly misunderstood. because it has
been maliniously misrepresented, and
although I cannot enter upon an ex-
tended discussion of the subject,
must be permitted to say that the man
whether he be republican or a dem
ocrat. whether of high or low degree,
w
or speaks 1t to his fellewmen, who
says that the idea Is q proposition to
abolish all protective duties upon the
products Of the so-called trusts, who
says that 1t Is proposition for free
trade with Canada, or with any other
country on earth, who says that 1t is
democratic, or found In the democratic
platform. Is. to sa'- the least careless
of the truth; II intelligent, he Is ma
Hot 1 I, to Il
to the sources Of knowledge which are
easy Of access. The Iowa idea repre-
sents an undying hostility to Industrial
and 1t calls for the use of
every civil power of the government to
prevent or destroy 1t. 1t holds protec-
ton to be the most efficient policy that
the government ever adopted for the
welfare of the people: but 1t holds that
times and conditions change-that
times and conditions have changed
since the tariff law of 1897 was enact
ed, and that 1t Is the duty of the re-
publican party to make the schedules
Of Its tariff law harmonious with the
principles upon which they are based,
and that this duty ought to be per-
formed at the earliest practicable mo-
ment It clings to reciprocity as q
part of the system Of protection, and
Insists that whether reciprocal trade
relations can be established that will
Increase our exports and not injure
our domestic interests, that they
should be established, and that in so
doing no American interest is injured
Il the protective duty is lowered to the
point which measures the difference
between the cost Of production here
md In competing countr-- I under
stand perfectly the difficulties which
attend changes In the tariff, but the
'ollowers Of the Iowa idea know that
hese difficulties will be diminished
when public sentiment runs strong
Ind high, and they propose ito en-
the sentiment and build it up
rhe followers Of the Iowa idea under
'tand that their work must be done
within the ranks Of the party. and they
will hold as traitor to good govern
nent any man who abandons the par
y because it does not move quite as
apidly as might be desired. They un-
lerstand that unity and enthusiasm
re necessary for success and they will
,e. found in the front rank of the COL
INNS which march against the hosts
# democracy"