The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-10

political acquaintance with this man.
whose name Nebraska presents. since
he entered political life. I car testi-
" from observation as to his politi-
cal conduct before he was known to,
fame. He was honest, brave and un-
yielding then; he Is honest, brave and
unyielding now.
Honesty is inherent In him. He
was.San honest lawyer before he en-
tered politics. He was honest in his
political methods before his stateman.
ship was recognized by the nation;
and he has been honest throughout
his political career.
Ellis convictinos have been his poll
tical creed. He has impressed these
convictions upon others. not by dictar
tfon, but by arguments addressed to
the Judgment and the conscience.
Believing in the ultimate triumph
Of the right, he has never examined
questions from the standpoint Of ex-
pedtency. He has Y inquired
whether q political principle was po-
pular; it has been SUFFICIENT for him
to believe that It was right.
"He has been a consistent champion
Of the reserved rights Of the states.
He favored the election Of senators
by direct vote before the House OF
Representatives ever acted favorably
upon the subject. He c~hanpioned
tarin reform when the West was the
hot-bed OF protection.
He favored an income tax before
the income tax law was written. He
attacked the trusts when republican
leaders were denying that any trusts
existed. He advocated railroad regu-
lation before the crusade against re.
bates and discrimination began.
.He has always been the friend Of,
labor. and was among the first to
urge Cancellation between labor and
capital. He began to oppose govern
men By injunction more than q decade
age. He announced his opposition to
imperialism before any other man OF
prominence had expressed himself on
the subject, and without waiting to
Zee whether it would be popular.
"aWhen a Wall Street panic burst
upon us a few months ago, he prompt
" proposed as q remedy, the guaran-
tee Of bank deposits, and so popular
has this plan become that It is today
q national issues and supported by
the masses Of the people. He has long
advocated legislation which will Sc
cure publicity as to campaign contri-
buttons.
"He believes in peace-in universal
Christian peace. He believes the des-
tiny Of nations should be determined
not by vars but by applying the prin'
ciples of justice and humanity.
aThough these principles have met
with uncompromising opposition from
the special. interests, he has remain
ed true to the cause Of the people.
with clear vision and with unfaltor-
ing trust, seeing and knowing the
truth, he has never let faith in It's
final victory.
""Through years Of unparalleled poll
tical warfare, his loyalty to his ideals
and OF his felowmen has been abund-
antly shown. His refusal to surrend'
er his convictions, though subjected
to abuse, d%enuciation and vindictive
opposition such as few public men IN
all history have been compelled to
withstand, is sample proof OF his superb
courage.
"His career proves that successful
leadership is determined by the sue
cess or failure Of great principles
rather than by election to high ONCE
1--WE have met to plan the cam
paign and to commission the com
mander under whom the masses vii
enlist. We are not here in response
to the voice Of ex%pediency; neither
political bosses nor corporate mas
tiers sent US here. We are here g
the summons Of the rank and file o
that political organization which Il
the special defender Of the rights 9
the common people.
1--WE are here representing all tina
is best ii the traditions OF our party
we feel again the spirit that AMI
mated the democracy in the days 9
Jefferson and jackson.
"The voters have spoken, and W
assemble to give expression Of thei
will. The voice for the third tim
calls Nebraska's favorite SON to b
the standard bearer Of his party Il
this gigantic contest.
"Since time begaf NO grander tr'
butte was ever paid to any man by
free people. He is recognized to-da
as the mort representative citizen 9
the nation. the peer Of any Twin
man.
! "Friends and foes have learne
) that he was shaped in that herio
mold In which tina worlds great ma