The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-23
THE LEADER AND HIS PLATFORM.

Il
senator, by unanimous vote, adopted platform
1t refraned from what has become perfunctory
performance at such assemblages because it
satisfied its candidate in his address of acceptance
would build platform so wide and strong that not
only he, but the whole honest citizenship OF Rhode
Island could stand upon It.
This he did. Colonel Goddard's address was
not long, but its pregnant truths and presentation
of lofty principles and patriotic aspirations could
have been no inspiring to those who seek good
government and freedom from the thraldom of
malign machine had it been enlarged into a volume
At the very beginning of his address Colonel
Goddard made it clear that in the conflict for right
and decency in political methods in this common
wealth, he enlisted not for campaign but for the
war.
"When obeyed your mandate year ago." he
said, Il enlisted not for spasmodc effort to restore
republican form of government to my native state,
but for the against the disgrace and the tyranny
of graft and corruption, exemplifed by the domi
nation of machine rule"
That declaration contains the essence of the
twice-chosen leader The popular rising is not
sporadic or ephemeral, but solid and determined.
1t will continue until the tyranny and corruption of
itself destroyed.
After reaffrmng the declaration of principles
contained in his letter of acceptance year ago,
Colonel Goddard proceeded to give added emphasis
to them by declaring that the Republican party as
at present organized is under the control of an un-
scrupulous and corrupt machine. of which Brayton
is the ruling spirit that the governor of Rhode
Island is deprived of those rights and responsible
I, off;r nd
that the people, who have chosen him, insulted
by this defiance of their will that the political die
tator of this state his power, not to the con-
sent of the people, but to grossly unfair system of
representation in the general assembly, which is in
tended defeat, and does defeat, the will of the
people and that there should be such wise and
conservative revision of our constitution as will
make impossible the supremacy of any boss be he
Democrat or be he Republican
-. Answering what he httingly characterized as
the ridiculous charge that representatives of the
people in the general assembly would be danger
to the best interests of the state" he declared
the charge had been proven false in every particular
by the record of the last assembly session.
Those men," he said, who stood throughout
The session for political decency and the rights of
the people of Rhode Island and of their chosen
representative, uc SoVciiFOi, idNS iSHSStSu ue
greatest honor upon the state by their honesty abi
ity and independence. If nothing else had been
gained we have shown that the highest interests of
Rhode Island, political, economic and moral can be
safely entrusted to such men,"
This was noble and deserved tribute to the
forty-one men who not only stood unfinchingly in.
support of their standard-bearer, but who labored
with zeal, earnestness and conscienciousness to
legislation that would mitigate the evils that
affct the body polite, but to prevent legsla-
ton intended to perpetuate those very evils.
Emphasizing his faith in and his own loyalty
to the Democracy which has given him such un-
wavering support in characteristically manly and
open manner, he declared: Now wish to declare
here, before you and before the people OF Rhode
Island that am proud of the favor and support OF
all those men, They have earned the gratitude OF
the people by their devotion to lofty standards and
to unselish political ideals
Again did Colonel Goddard prove both his un-
sehshness his sincerity and deep devotion to the
best interests of the state when he asserted that the
paramount issue in this campaign is not the United
States senatorship neither is il the victory of one
party another 1t is the triumph of purity and
good government in the state of Rhode Island for
which we striving"
Particularly significant and impressive his
closing statement that no honor can attach TO any
position dishonorably attained and that IF cannot
home with honor"
Here the people have the man OF honest mind
sincere purpose, incorruptibe, resolute patriotic
determined and fearless. They knew him as such
during his long life among them his statements in
the course OF political campaign give them no new
Information.
They are rejoced in having leader OF such