The Topeka state journal., 1908-07-10

and it is now apparent why the "sys-
tenn" admires Taft and hates the SEN
.ator from Wisconsin. wnen compell-
ed to choose between an appeal to
the conscience of the nation in defense
of its platform and candidates, on
the one hand, and the millions that
the special interests may be depend
ent upon to contribute on the other,
that convention rejected The people
and continued its alliance with
Mammon.
II the charges made by the ptesi-
dent are true--and they are true--we
are indeed face to face with situa-
ton as grave as any IN our history.
How shall it be met? The good sense,
patriotism and united action of the
people alone can remedy present evils.
Must Have a Leader.
To wage a successful fight we must
have a leader. The Republican party.
dominated by the seekers of special
privileges, cannot furnish him. Re
publicans who really desire reform are
powerless; the efforts of the president
have been futile.
The Democratic party must furnish
the leader which present conditions
demand, and he must be a man known
to be free from the influences that
control the Republican party. He
must be a man of superior intellect,
sound judgment, positive convictions
and moral courage-one who will
meet the forces of plutocracy with
the naked sword of trutn-one who
knows no surrender. He must have
genius for state-craft; ne must be
man of wide experience IN public af-
fairs; he must have ability to formu-
late. policies and courage TO defend
them = - $ -
But above all, he must have faith
in the people. He must not only be-
lieve in the right of the people to gov
ern, but in their capacity to do so.
And he must be a man whom the
people know and trusr.s5 y a%G1a -seG
The Democratic party has many dis
tinguished men who m Ignf De chosen.
as our. standard bearer; but At has
one. man who above all. others pos.
sesses the necessary qualifications and,
Is eminently fitted for this leadership.
Describes the MAN. ~.
He is man whose nomination will
leave no doubt as to where our party
stands on every public question. His
genius for state-craft IS shown by the
constructive work he has done in
proposing reforms. and by the ability
with which he has fortified his posi-
ton. But we may go farther.
A few months since, he visited the
principal nations of the. world He
came in contact with the leading
minds of Christendom, and the world
abroad recognized his greatness and
paid him that tribute justly due to
men of high attainments.-,.-.-- ..-
In the most distinguished peace
convention that has assembled in re-
cent years, he proposed a plan which,
If adopted, would prove more effec-
tive than any arbitration treaty that
has yet been made. and by ms in
fluence he secured its approval by
the representatives <of the twenty-six
leading nations there assembled.
Is he thoroughly informed regard
ing the issues of this campaign? Read
his speeches and his writings, which
for nearly twenty years have been a
part of the political literature of the
nation. Is he sincere, brave and de-
termined? Even his political oppon-
ents now admit that he is. -.:..---. e.
I have had a close personal and
political acquaintance. with this man,
whose name Nebraska presents, since
he entered political life. can testi-
fly. from observation as to his political
conduct before he was known to fame
He was honest brave and unyieIding
then; he is honest, brave and unyield-s
ing now.
Honesty is inherent in. him. He
was an honest lawyer before he en-
tered politics. He was honest in his
political methods before his states
manship was recognized by the nation; !;
and he has been honest throughout
his political career.
His convictions have been his poll
tical creed. He has impressed these
convictions upon others, not by dicta-
tion. but by arguments addressed to
the judgment and the conscience.
Believing in the ultimate triumph of
the right, he has never examined ques-
tions from the standpoint of exped-
iency.-, He has never inquired whether
political principle was popular; it
has been sufficient for him to believe
that it was right. rs
He has been consistent champion
of the reserved rights of the states.
He favored the election of senators by