Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-16
and united action Of the people ALONE
can remedy present evils
A LEADER NECESSARY.

been futile.
The Democratic party must furnish the
leader which present conditions demand.
and nc must be q man known to be free
from the influences that control the Re-
publican party He must he man Of
superior intellect. sound Judgment poslt-
I've convictions and moral courage-one
who will meet the forces and plutocracy
with the naked sword OF truth-one who
knows no surrender. lie must have n
genius for Statc-craft he must be man
OF wide experience In public affairs; lie
must have ability to formulate policies
and courage to defend them.
But above all, he must have faith In
tho people. lie must not only believe in
the right Of the people to govern. but in
their capacity to do SO. And he must be
q man whom the people know and trust.
The Democratic party has many distn-
guished men who might he chosen as
our standard bearer; but II has one man
who above all others possesses the neces-
sary qualifications and Is cminently fitted
for this leadership.
CONSTRUCTION IN PROPOSALS.
lie Is man whose nomination will
leave no doubt rs to where our PARTY
stands on every public question. His
genius for State-craft Is shown ny the
constructive work he has done in pro-
posing reforms, and the ability with which
he has forfeited his position. But we
may go farther.
few months since. he visited the prin-
cipal nations of the world. He came in
contact with leading minds Of Christian
dom, and the world abroad recognized
his greatness md paid him that tribute
Justly due to men Of high attachments.
In the most distinguished peace con-
vcntion that has assembled In recent
years. he proposed plan which. If
adopted, would prove more effective than
any arbitration treaty that has yet been
made, and by his influence he secured its
approval by the representatives OF the
twenty-six leading nations there assemb-
led
1s he thoroughly Informed regarding
the issues of this campaign? Read his
speeches and his writings. which for
nearly twenty years have been part Of
the political literature Of the nation. IL
he sincere. brave and determined? Even
his political opponents now admit that he
is.
I have had a close personal and political
acquaintance with this man. whose name
Nehrask presents since he entered politi-
cal life. 7 can testify from observation
as &c his political conduct before he was
know to fame. He was honest. brave
and unyiedlng then: he is honest. brave
and unyiolding now.
HIS HONESTY INHERENT.
Honesty Is inherent to him. He was
an honest lawyer before he entered polit-
les He was honest in his political meth
DDS before his craftsmanship was recog-
nized by the nation: and he has been
honest throughout his political career.
"Iis convictions have been his political
creed. He has impressed these convict
ions upon others not by dictation. but
by arguments addressed to tho Judgment
and the conscience.
Believing In the ultimate triumph
Of the right. he has never examined
questions from the standpoint OF expedi-
ency. He has never inquired whether n
political principal was popular; IL has
been sufficient for him to believe that 1t
was right.
"IIe has been n consistent champion OF
the reserved rights OF the States. He
u
vote before the House of Representatives
ever acted favorably upon the subject.
He cha mpioned tariff reform when the
west was the hot-bed of protection.
He favored an income tax Before the
income tax law was written. He attack
ed the trust when republican leaders were
denying than any trusts existed. He
advocated railroad rcgula ton before the
crusade against rebates and discrimina-
ton began.
"He has always been the friend OF
lab Dor. and was among the first to urge
cancellation between labor and capital.
He began to oppose government by in
junction more than q decade AGO lie
announced his opposition to imperialism
before any other man Of prominence had
expressed himself on the subject and
without waiting to see whether il would
be popular.
when n Wall Street Panic burst upon
us few months ago. he promptly pro-
posed as remedy. the guarantee OF
bank deposits. and so popular has this
plan become that It Is to-day a nationa
issue and supported by the masses Of the
people. We has long advocated legisla tior
which will secure publicity as to cam
paign contributions.
A BELIEF IN PEACE.
"He believes IN peace-in universe.
Christian peace. He believes the destiny
of nations should be determined not b,
years but apply the principles OF Justice
and humanity.
Though these principles have met with
uncompromising opposition from tht
special interests. he has remained true
to the cause Of tho people. with clear
vision and with unfatering trust, seeing
and knowing the truth. he has never lost
faith in its final victory.
Through years Of unpa ralleled poltlca
warfare, his loyalty to his ideals and L
his fellow men has been abundantlJ
shown. His refusal to surrender HIS con
victions. though subjected to abuse, de
nunciatlon and vindictive such az few
public men in all history have been com,
PEELED to withstand Is ample proof OF his
| superb courage.
His career proves that successful
| leadership Is determined by the success.
or failure of great principles rather thar
| by election to high office.
1 Wa have met to plan the campaign ant
70 commission the commander unde
whom the masses will enlist. We are
not here In response to the voice o
expcdiency; neither political bosses no.
corporate masters sent us here. We are
hero as the summons OF the rank ana M
of that political organization which Il
the special defender OF tho rights OF thu
common people.
! We are here representing all that Il
best In the traditions of our party W.