The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1908-07-17

uCmdnu, anu ne must De man known
to be free from the influences that
control the Republican party He
must be a man OF superior intellect,
sound judgment, positive convictions
and moral courage-one who will meet
the forces Of plutocracy with the
naked sword of truth-one who knows
no surrender. He must have a genius
for statecraft: he must be man of
wide experience in public affairs; he
must have ability to formulate policies
and courage to defend them.
But above all, he must have faith in
the people He must not only believe
in the right of the people to govern.
but in their capacity to do so. And
he must be a man whom the people
know and trust.
distinguished men who might be
chosen as our standard bearer; but
1t has one man who above all others
possesses the necessary qualifications
and is eminently fitted for this leader
ship.
|
He is a man whose nomination will
leave no doubt as to where our party
stands on every public question. His
| genius for statecraft is shown by the
constructive work he has done in pro-
posing reforms, and by the ability with
which he has fortified his position.
But we may go farther
A few months since, he visited the
principal nations of the world. He
came in contact with the leading
minds of Christendom, and the world
abroad recognized his greatness and
paid him that tribute justly due to
men Of high attachments.
In the most distinguished peace
convention that has assembled in re-
cent years, he proposed a 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 repre-
sentatives OF the rs leading nations
there assembled.
Is he thoroughly informed regard.
ing the issues of this campaign?
Read his speeches and his writings,
which for nearly 20 years have been a
part Of the political literature Of the
nation. Is he sincere, brave and de-
termined? Even his political oppo-
nents now admit that he is.
have had close personal and po-
lttical acquaintance with this man,
whose name Nebraska presents, since
he entered political life. I can testify
from observation as to his political
conduct before he was known to fame.
He was honest, brave and unyielding
then; he is honest, brave and unyield-
ing now.
Honesty Unauestioned.
Honesty is inherent in him. He was
an honest lawyer before he entered
politics. He was honest in his politi-
was recognized by the nation and he
has been honest throughout his po-
litical career
His convictions have been his po-
litical creed. He has impressed these
convictions upon others, not by dicta-
ton, but by arguments addressed to
the judgment and the conscience.
Believing In the ultimate triumph of
the right, he has never examined ques-
tons from the standpoint OF expedi-
ency. He has never inquired whether
political principle was popular; it
has been sufficient for him to believe
that it was right.
He has been q consistent champion
of the reserved rights of the states.
He favored the election of senators by
direct vote before the house of repre-
sentatives ever acted favo-ably upon
the subject. He championed tariff re-
form when the west was the hotbed of
protection.
He favored an income tax before the
income tax law was written. He at
tackled 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.
Leader In Wise Reform.
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
ment by injunction more than de- |
cade ago. He announced his opposi- |
ton to Imperialism before any other |
man Of prominence had expressed him.
self on the subject, and without wait
ing to see whether 1t would be popu-
lar.
When Wall street panic burst
upon us a few months ago, he prompt
ly proposed as a remedy. the guaran-
tee of bank deposits, and so popular
has this plan become that it is to-day
a national issue and supported by the