Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-06-13

imagine upon the wise policies of the
party who placed these men at the head
of our national affairs.
"No man, however strong or how
ever honest, could have stayed disaster
under the party policies that prevailed
from 1892 to 1896, and no man, how
ever weak or however corrupt, could
have stayed prosperity under the wise
legislation that has prevailed for nearly
decade.
"Do not misunderstood me. 1 would
not detract from, or minimize the effect
of wise leadership, but wise leadership
is worthless without wise following.
This was emphasized in the president IS
memorial speech on Wednesday last,
and it is exemplifed on every page of
our national history.
TREND TOWARD DIsORGANIzA-
TON.
81 regret the present trend towards
party disorganization. / regret that
the democratic party is so unOrganized
rather than disorganized-and so de-
void of issue or policy or plan or pur-
pose. 1 regret that in several demo-
cratic states imaginary issues are being
waged between would-be leaders of that
party. In Georgia, for instance, for
two years contest has been waged be-
tween certain candidates for the CUB
ernatorial nomination on the democratic
ticket. l am credibly advised that over
100000 has been spent on either side
and you and know without being told
that the issue between two democrats
In democratic state is a manufactured
issue.
"The same character Of contest is
being waged for gubernatorial and sem
atorial honors in several other southern
states, and all on manufactured issues.
Such things are not good for state,
and such things are ruinous to party.
- also regret the trend towards dis
organization in the republican ranks.
have kept out of the controversy in
this state; not because I am any the less
a citizen of Iowa, because / have been
temporarily domiciled in Washington,
but because / have preferred to keep
out OF it. l claim the same right, how
ever, that is possessed by every other
Iowa citizen.
REPLIES TO CRITICISMS.
"In December last accepted an in
vitation to speak early in February be-
fore the Polk County Republican club.
When l accepted the invitation, ex-
pected to be a private citizen on Feb
ruary End. When other arrangements
were made, agreed to give a later date
for Des Moines. This did and made
the speech in March. I am told that
at recent county convention a resolu-
ton was offered criticising me for thus
taking part in the campaign in my own
state. l am now told that those who
then criticised a republican citizen for
making republican speech in his own
state and who have demanded that the
Iowa delegation in congress and the
Iowa members of the president g cabi-
net should keep hands off the Iowa cam
paign, have now sent to an adjoining
state for great orator to come to their
aid in controlling the politics of Iowa.
If l understand the situation Alright the
presence within the state of Iowa's rep
resentatives at Washington is resented
while the presence within the state of
Wisconsin IS representatives at Wash
ington is invited. Why is thisf Are
those who represent Iowa at Washing
ton out of harmony with their partyf
Are theIowa representatives at Washing
ton out of harmony with the president 7
No, the president is in almost daily
conference with several members of the
Iowa delegation. say to you that the
members OF the Iowa delegation are in
closest touch and fullest accord with
the republican party. say to you
that the members of the Iowa delega-
tion without exception are in harmony
with the president of the United States,
the great leader Of his party, and they
each and all enjoy the confidence of the
president.
BREACHES REPUBLICANISM.
81 have been invited to speak at the
republican state conventions in three
states and before several state leagues
of republican clubs, and am to speak
before the National League Of Repub-
lican clubs. Why is thisf It is not be-
cause am an orator-no one ever called
me an orator. 1t is because I preach
the gospel of republicanism-I preach
the kind Of republicanism that the men
who invite me want. The preaching
may be poor but the doctrine is genuine.
am never invited to take part in joint
debates and speak with democrats
against the doctrine of my party.
"Why is it then that Iowa congress-
men and Iowa senators and Iowa men,
bers Of the cabinet should be criticised
in the press, and criticised from the ros-
trum, and criticised in convention reso-
luton for indicating that they have not
lost interest in the state that has hon
ored them and in the party they repre-
sentf
What is this issue within the repub-
lican ranks in Iowaf Is it real or is it
manufactured Judging from the
speeches / have read and from the press
notices I have seen, the issue takes two
forms-one the tariff and the other al
legged railroad domination. Since when
have the railroads dominated Iowa poll
ticsf If did not know to the contrary,
/ might suppose from having read the
democratic and independent press that
the railroads had secured my nomina-
ton in 1897.
"To avoid the necessity of resting
the case upon my unsupported state