Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-04-11
FORAKER Opens Campaign
Continued from page ~

analyze the testimony, but it is
enough to say, that the evidence al
ready taken warrants the belief that
not man in that battalion fred a
gun. 1 do not believe any testimony
can be secured that will refute any
thing that has been established.
II am not alone in this belief. All
the officers of that command who,
at the beginning, were by circum-
stantial evidence, made to believe
some of their men had been partici-
pators in the shooting, are now OF
the opinion and have so testified,
that all were innocent. =
But, however, all this may be, the
men have had hearing They have
been permitted to state their de-
Tense; and whether that defense pre-
vail or not, it has been demonstrat-
ed that this, government Of law,
a government where the rights of
citizens, no matter how humble they
may be. shall be protected by the law,
and under the law, and not govern
ment under which, by autocratic and
arbitrary orders and DEGREES, men
may be dishonored and stripped Of
the most valuable rights. If there
be any place in the United States
where these sentiments should be en-
dorsed more heartily than another,
1t is here in Ohio; in the state that
gave to the nations galaxy of great
men such defenders and advocates OF
human rights as Joshua R. Giddings,
Benjamin f. Wade, Salmon P. Chase,
John Sherman and William Mckinley.
But running through all this con-
tention there is found another broad
and important question. What is the
office of a senator? Is he a mere
agent to register the will Of some
! body else, or is he supposed to have
opinions of his own with liberty to
stand for them in debate and when
he votes. $s5 N @ iss
Tt he is a mere agent, why have
we always tried to select for this
great Office men of ability and high
character? Anybody could follow
some body else. And why? If sem
ator have no liberty Of action, should
u he be held accountable for the rec
ord he makes; and, if there is to be
no difference of opinion, why have
any discussion or, in fact, why have
any senate or house? 81 .t3
have always understood and
thought representatives of the peo-
pie are accountable only to the peo-
pie; that they are not properly sub
ject to any other influence, and for
. that reason / stand ever ready to
render to my constituents an account
of my stewardship. 1t is their right
to have tit is my duty to give it;
and Il they are dissatisfied they have
a remedy for that dissatisfaction in
their own hands. They can select an
other. -. s.@
But while conceding the right OF
everybody else to differ from me, ]
deny the right of, anybody except my
& constituents to call me to account
\ have never held any Office except
I by election. I have always been
proud Of the confidence in me SO fire,
& quently manifested by the inte1li.
gent people Of this great common.
wealth. T am always ready to abide
by their Judgment. would not avoid
or evade it If could. Therefore II
is that Z propose to carry my cause
directly to them whenever issues may
Z arise in which IA am interested. ii
they agree with me shall be re.
joiced; IL not, shall be satisfied
4Bnt while will thus submit ny
cause to the people and abide their
judgment, I will not submit to the
dictation or threats Or menacss 81
any kind Of any boss, big or little
inside the state or outside Of it
Neither will asauiesce without pro.
test In what do not approve, nc
matter BY whom it may be proposed
believe In our dual system 81
government one state and the Other
national; one to deal with local at,
fairs. the other with those that are
national and International I believe