The daily sentinel., 1908-07-07
1By Associated Press. ]

Denver, July s."IneOuOfe n.
Bell, ex-governor of California, the
temporary chairman of the democrat
ic national convention, in the pres
ence of over 1900 people, shortly
after noon today and immediately
following the opening of the first ses-
sion of the convention, delivered the
key-nOte speech of the democratic
campaign. He was given the closest
attention and was cheercd heartily
time and again.
The speech of Chairman Bell was
i'm full as follows:
I'VE have assembled at time
when the public conscience is de-
manding honesty of purpose in the
man who undertakes to direct the
affairs of state. The public eye is
keenly sensitive to every political
movement. and our proceedings here
will be approved according to the de-
gree of sincerity appearing in the
work of this convention. There is a
widespread belief, founded upon evil
dence of convincing character that
the party in power has not been true
to its trust, that it has betrayed the
common interests into the hands of
the enemies of good government,
thereby forfeiting its right and de-
stroying its ability to rule in the
name of the people.
Apparent to everyone is the fact
that way down deep in the heart of
the Republican convention at Chi
cago there was a feeling of anger and
resentment over the popular clamor
for reforms: and it is equally patent
that there is no bona fide intention
on the part of the Republican party
of granting any reforms, if the ma
chinery of that party can be retained
in present hands. Its paper plat
form, divided like ancient Gaul into
three parts-barren promises, make
shifts and evasions, it is hoped will
make a good campaign transparency;
but no one seriously believes that the
Republican party really indorses that
neutral manuscript which held the
convention together until it could
ratify the nomination of president
ial candidate.
"Approaching our great task in a
manly dignified manner, imbued with
the loftiest sentiments of patriotism
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties of our people
determined to stamp out the abuses
that are consuming the substances OF
the nation, let us proceed to our ap-
pointed duty with the sustaining
consciousness that we are responsible
alone to God and to our country for
the justice of our cause.
There are three things that this
convention should do. 1t ought to
present in plain and intelligent
manner the serious industrial and
political conditions that are disturb
ing the peace and happiness of our
country. We should then proceed
to a courageous exposure of the Re
publican policies that are cooperat-
ing with private greed in the general
oppression of the people. Most i'm
portant of all, we must exhibit read
mess and an ability to grasp the
problems of the hour and to effect
their solution in a manner that will
satisfy the sober. common sense OF
the mutitudes whose interest are al
stake.
among the great evils that afflict
the country at the present time is thE
abuse of corporate power. At first
the advancing aggressions of the cor
porations are not discernable to the
common eye, for every move is care
fully covered up until sufficient poll.
tical strength is attained to defy the
protests of the people. Thus the
constant and insidious invasion OF
the peoples rights finally results in
a species of arrogance and defiance
so formidable in its appearances that
the body of the people, in fear OF
even worse aggressions, hesitate tc
assert and exercise their rightfu
authority over these colossal enemies
of the commonwealth. And so We
behold subversion of our free insti-
tutions, government voluntarily
subordinating itself to selfish pri-
vate ends, special privilege resorting
to cunning, bribery and intimidation
to maintain it's unholy power, while
the masses timidly hope that when
avarice has at last reached the point
of safety it will then benevolently
permit the people to resume theii
rightful share in the government OF
themselves. Whenever the mutter-
ings of the people become too threat
ening the cry of confiscation goes VI
and appeals are frantically made to
the sacred rights of property. This
is intended to alright the ears OF
honest men in the enjoyment of the
fruits of their industry and thrift and
by thus playing upon their prejudices
and fears to deter them from cast
ing their influence on the side OF
wholesome reforms. The cry of con-
fiscation is the historic defense OF
usurpation. Let the people take
warning Whenever the wrongs OF
today become the vested rlentS OF
tomorrow and the nation is in deadly
peril.
''The Democratic party Is not the
enemy of property; but to the con-
trary. it has always stood and will
continue to stand firmly against ev-
cry species of aggression that would
destroy or weaken the right of any
man to enjoy the rewards to which
his patience, his skill, his industry
and his economy. entitle him. Our
Marty annroYeS that feeling of pride