Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1908-03-27
CHAIRMAN PORTER MAKES
MOST REMARKABLE ADDRESS
Charges the Republican Party With
Responsibility of Creation of the
TRUSTS and Predicts the Election
of Bryan In November.
Associated Press.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 26.-l
The Democratic state convention con-
vened here today. Organization was
effected by the election of Hon.
Claude R. Porter as temporary chair
man.
After first para-IOWA ADD :. N.
Delegates were selected to the ma
tional convention loyal to Bryan, and
the platform adopted is recast of
the Nebraska state platform. The
endorsement of Bryan is made strong
err and more eloquent. Every men,
ton of his name today was greeted
with storms of cheers.
A feature of the convention was
the opening address by Chairman
Porter, who said:
Never in the past, in my humble
judgement, has the need for the eff
fective application of genuine Demo
cratic principles in our governmental
affairs been so great as at the pres
ent. The political engagement OF
1896 has been termed the First Bat
tle," and SO it was in the struggle
of the people for the restoration of
the rule of man as against the rule
of dollars. 1t was, however, but a
preliminary skirmish to the contest
we are now approaching. For IL years
predatory wealth has been building
and adding to it's intrenchments, but
the issues are now more perfectly
understood, the lines more clearly
drawrN and our forces; hope, more
united The result will be more far
reaching, the battle bound to be more
terrific, but greed, trickery and
cunning must be trampled under
foot" if the republic is to live.
For 40 years the Republican party
has held almost undisputed sway at
Washington. Forty years in which to
grant special privileges to the few
40 years of class legislation, 40 years
of positive executive and legislative
favoritism, and 40 years of law per
mitted favoritism. Men do not
gather grapes of thorns or figs OF
thistles" in the twentieth century any
more than they did in the commence
ment of the first, and we now have
an abundant fruitage from the seed
sown. Trusts, monopolies and com
binations without number, industrial
corporations with a capital stock o.
ten figures, and whose yearly income
and disbursements exceed those O
the national government; railroad uni
fication, graft and. frenzied finance
galore wealth, created and fostere(
by law, defying and trampling unde
foot those laws enacted with thu
view of attempting to control or cur
tail their activity.
o Republican orators have given u
o glowing descriptions of the grea
a benefits of a protective tariff, and
alone; told us how high tariff Away
brings prosperity. Yet, under tn
highest tariff ever enacted, which ha
been in force ten years, and with tn
t gold standard in full operation, wit
d the friends of both in full and con
- plete control of every branch of ou
government, about the first of la!
u October, like a clap>o thunder frol
a clear sky, there came upon us
panic as direful in its results as an
:: that has been visited upon us in
= generation.
:: That there is an urgent need IL
:. reform along many lines all seem
!: concede.
= There is but one political organic
:. ton to which the people of tn
!. country can look, inspired by al
:. hope of success, and that is Il
!: party that has had, and now has,
:: its fundamental principle, ECU
= rights to all and special privileges
: none'-the party of Jefferson al
:. Jackson, the Democratic party.
:: There must be a leader In this
= gard our party is most fortunte..
!: has already been chosen by the m
:: lions composing the rank and file
& the Democratic party, and all that t
. convention will do will be to officia
. announce there selection. That
= no political machine, or no spec
. interests; without great wealth, a
= occupying no high officidl positi'
f..