Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-07-10


which endanger their institutions
and. at times, imperil the advance of
civilization.
Every people that has left its Inn
press upon history has faced such
crises.
In most instances, where grave
dangers have threatened the safety
of the state, some great character,
some master mind has been found,
produced as It we're by the conditions
themselves, with capacity to direct
Alright the energies of the people.
This was true of the ancient
world; 1t has been true of the mod
ern world; 1t Is true of this republic.
We have such q crisis to meet to-
day. The favor-seeking corporations
have gradually strengthened their
hold upon the government until they
now menace popular institutions.
The question is, whether this gov
ernment shall be restored to the
control of the people and be ad-
ministered in the interest of all, or
whether 1t shall remain an instru-
ment in the hands of the few for
levylng tribute upon all the rest.
In his special message to congress
last winter President Roosevelt de-
cared, substantially, that certain
wealthy men who have become enol-
mously rich by opressing the wage
Garner, defrauding the public and
practicing all forms of iniquity, have
banded together, and by the unlim-
tied use OF money, endeavor to Sc
cure freedom from restraint and to
overthrow and discredit all who hon
estly administer the law.
That the methods by which these
men have acquired their great for
tunes can only be justified by sys-
tenn Of morality, that would permit
every form of crlminality, every
form OF violence, corruption aud
fraud.
For many years, and especially
during the last 12 years, these very
men have been in control of the Re-
publican party; they have financed
every campaign of that party for a
quarter OF a century.
These exploiters of the people,
whom the Pre;ident has so scathing
ly denounced, have given their en-
thus.ast!c support to the Republics !
candidates and policies. They laid
their hands upon the trust funds Of
insurance companies and other cor
porations and turned the plunder
over to the Republican committee.
The money thus filched from the In
nocent and helpless, TO purchase Re-
publican victory, has not been re-
paid.
And where do we find these mel
today? Where are the swollen for
tunes" OF which we have heard 50
much? Just where We would expect
to find thems-supporting the Re-
publican ticket and furnishing the
sinews OF war for the Republican
committee, as usual.
The platform adopted by the
late Republican convention shows
what the Republican party in truth |
represents. In framing the plat
form, every genuine reform which |
the president has advocated WIS
scorned and repudiated. The Wis
consin delegation asked that one or
two reform planks be placed In the
platform, and for its pains was de-
nounced as Democratic. The conven-
tion by vote of eight to one refused |
TO approve those policies which the
President for four years has been
urging upon his party. The mask
OF hypocrisy has been torn from the
face of those who pretend to favor
the reforms advocated by the presi-
dent and Il Is now apparent why the
~ FNNA auihitNs icih anu habN3
the senator from Wisconsin. When
compelled TO choose between an ap-
peal TO the conscience of the nation
IN defense of its platform and candi-
dates, on the one hand, and the mil
lions that the special interests NAV
be depended upon to contribute on
The other that convention rejected
the people and continued its alliance
with Mammon."
II the charges made by the pres
dent are true-and they are true
We are indeed face to face with
''uauon a grave as any in our his
PoFy' How shall IL be met? The
good sense patrfoffs,, aud INITIAL