Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-09-27
PRoTEcToN FAVORED BY ALL
sIDEREO-DEFENsE OF IOWA FROM ATTACKS OPPOSITION.


opening speech of the republican cam
paign at Churdan, and said:
1t is a habit of mine to look both men
and situations squarely in the eyes. In
entering upon the campaign before me,
| will not depart from this habit
The preliminary contest which resulted
in my nomination was earnest. There
was great deal of feeling in it, and, un-
fortunately. some acrimony. Many re-
publicans were sorely disappointed In the
outcome of the convention. for their
preferences were pronounced and most
emphatically expressed. To such republi-
cans my only message is that although
was not their choice for. governor,
was nominated by a republican conven-
ton. after a fair fight, and / am entitled
20 their support If they believe that re-
publican supremacy in the nation and in
people of the country. j am to be OPP
posed for election by every political rail-
road in the state, and by every monopoly.
trust and combination throughout the
land have incurred i'm some way, their
to be despised.
The democratic candidate for governor
Is man for whom have entertained
sincere personal friendship, and whose
character and attachments l have held in
high respect. assumed that his nominal
ton would insure a political discussion
pitched upon the lofty plane of dispas-
sionate consideration of the policies and
histories of the two great political parties
which have, for now more than fifty
years sought the administration of the
mighticst government upon the face OF
the. earth. 1t was with deep regret that
discovered in the opening speech of my
opponent. delivered at Ottumwa on the
sixth day of the present month. that it
would be his purpose in this contest to
stimulate, by reflections upon my con-
duct and motives, the disappointment
among republicans, rather than to ex-
round and defend the principles of his
own party. was amazed to find in the
speech to which have referred nothing
But a reproduction of the attacks which
issued so copiousy from the railway
bureau during the preliminary campaign.
Mr. Porter evidently expects every demo-
cratic vote simply because he was nomi-
mated by democratic convention, and
therefore he gave Scant attention to
either his platform his party; and he
eXhausts his powers of speech i'm trying
70 prove to dissatisfied republicans that
have not been faithful to my party nor
10 the people of the state whom l have
tried to serve.
recapitulate these things in order that
YOU may know that / do not begin this
struggle blindly. In what i shall have
10 say. there shall be neither hope nor
Expectation OF bringing to the support of
the republican party what is ordinarily
known as corporate Influence.
Harmful influences in Politics.
The individuals who compose corpora.
tons have precisely the same rights that
all citizens have in public affairs and
they ought to exercise them with the
same freedom and independence that
the community; but l profoundly believe
that corporations. as such, should be
vigorously excluded from politics; that
such associated influence is harmful
Influence, and If i could have my way
not one dollar from the treasury of
corporation would ever be contributed to
the treasury of a political committee.
Corporations are necessary to the bust
ness of the country, and 1 care not how
large they may become. they are to be
protected defended. regulated and con-
trolled by the law, but they must not be
permitted to make the laws or to adj
minister them. This position has brought
porations. and while i shall never permit
this enmity to tempt me into any injus-
tice toward them. neither. shall permit
the terrors of their opposition to swerve
me one hairs breadth from the course I
have marked out for myself.
You will allow me another foreword.
As much as regret the tone adopted
by the democratic candidate for gov
eruor, shall not be tempted into a like
vein. / still believe him to be man OF
honor. and although we may differ in
opinion respecting public questions, 1
shall not challenge his motives nor doubt
his sincerity. / am quite willing to be-
leve, and shall believe until forced to
some other conclusion by unmistakable
evidence, that the alliance under which
the democratic campaign is going for
ward was not sought by him. But shall
insist that the mere fact that ii exists
Introduces into the present controversy
an issue so fundamental that patriotic
dcinOCTatS may well pause ana consider
it's effect upon the fortunes of their
country
RepubIicanism is Best.
The principle that the government of
the United States and the government of
the state shall be conducted by its men,
and not by its corporations, is nearer to
the hearts of the people than any article
OF partisan faith. Do not misunderstood
me. MY opinions upon party issues never
have been and never will be tempered to
II q m n T.
ean, and believe in the doctrines of my
narty. am proud of its history, cher
ish its traditions, and rejoice in the vic
tories 1t has accomplished. I have an
abiding conviction that it's work in the
future Will be wise and just, and that
its policies will lead the nation through
paths of honor to the highest distinction
which a government can enjoy. l in
tend to do all that can by voice and
vote, to secure the election of every re-
publican candidate for both state and ma
tlonal office. If the democrats support
me. and j hope many of them will. they
must do so upon the belief that there is
something involved in the struggle now in
progress more vital than craftsmanship;
that government of the people, by the
people, for the people, is a condition pre-
cedent to the existence of political parties.
National Questions.
Unlike my opponent in this, as in
many other respects, il seems to me that
4 discussion of national questions is not
only appropriate but required. He filled
three columns in exploiting my views
upon the tariff, and few meager lines
in expressing and explaining his own.
lie is apparently afraid to rally demo-
Gratis under the flag of a tariff for rev.
cnuc only. and expends his strength in
quoting from my speeches to prove that
believe that some of the duties are too
high and should be reduced. His long
aud labored effort has, il / understand it
fully. two ends in view: first to estab-
llsh that upon the tariff / am not a
sound republican, and that therefore re-
pubhcans should support him-a free
trader; second. that inasmuch as I favor
fssome notifications In the tariff schedules
tAI could not consistently accept a plat
Norm which did not declare specifically
stfT such qualifications. and that because
! did not bolt in 1904. and because was
somewhat responsible for the platform
~ 1905. | am weak vacilating man.
untrue to my convictions of right and
wrong. If, in this campaign, had no
purporcs In view save to reinstate myself
IN the confidence and esteem of my dis
tlnguished rival. would not undertake
the, task; but as there has been and still
Is dense fog raised about this question
IN Iowa, and inasmuch as many honest
men and faithful republicans have been
misinformed respecting my position upon
the tariff, l shall give the subject the
fconsideration sts Importance requires.
Steadfast in His Position.
40 In order that no~man shall be able to
fscrvert what am about to saw / want
TO make 1t clear that / retract nothing
that have said with regard to the tariff.
MY views are unchanged, and within
the ranks OF the party, / will labor as
earnestly as can, not for a general re-
vision OF the schedules, for that have