Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-09


no one can use its language to fright
en- any business man ,wlose transac-
lions are fair and whose income is,
honestly earned.
No Chance for Contrast.
mo one can contrast the plain,
declarations of ouI
party with the vague and ambiguous
utterances of the republican leaders
and the republican candidate without
recognizing that our appeal is to the
judgment and good sense of the voters
who desire justice for themselves and
insist upon justice being done by
others. Our party. if entrusted with
the power. will remedy Ihe abuses
which have grown up under republic
can rule, and yet remedy those abuses
with due regard to constitutional limi-
tations and without injury to any le-
Ultimate business interest
Stevenson is Heard.
Former Vice President Adlai E. Ste
venson during the afternoon delivered
an address, in which he said in part:
This assembling of democrats from
every part of the state in this magnifi-
cent city marks the beginning of the
presidential contest. 1t is an event
| of deep moment and of far reaching
consequences. The chosen representa-
tives of the great historical party have
here assembled in state convention, and
the candidates for the offices of pres
ident and vice president of the United
States have spoken The platform
adopted at Denver has been reaffirmed
| by the democracy of Illinois, and the
struggle for political escendency has
been inaugurated. The national con-
ivention in it's declaration of principles
and in the selection of candidates act
ed wisely and we'll Mr. Kern, the
nominee for vice president is a gen.
tleman of great ability and of high
personal character and we'll fitted for
the discharge of the duties of the high
office for which he has been nomi-
mated.
Well known to Country.
Our nominee for president, William
j. Bryan, is we'll known to the entire
country. No man living is more thor
oughly conversant with public affairs,
more closely in touch with the people,
or better equipped for the great Office.
His courage. sincerity, lofty character
and marvellous intellectual gifts emf
nently fit him for the exalted position
| for which he has been named. He
stands today for what is best in Amer
lean politics and his election would
be a grand popular triumph.
1.-The presidential contest upon which
we are just entering is to be conduct
ed upon a high plane. The day for
vilification-for personal assault upon
candidates - has passed, | trust, for
ever Whoever resorts to personal
vilification in this campaign at once
discloses the weaknesses of his own
cause and undertakes the intelligence
and temper of the American people.
From the beginning to the close of the
contest let the salient fact be borne in
mind that our entire people are pa
triotic, and all desire the triumph of
such governmental policies as will best
subserve the interest of our own com
mon country. Truly has it been said:
TO think is to differ, and upon the
masterful questions of human govern.
ment there always has been and will
continue to be among men of intelli
gence-honest differences of opinion
1t follows then of necessity that in the
discussion of such questions there
should be no appeal to prejudice OF
passion-but argument should be ad
dressed to the judgment and reason.
''In a government such as ours where
political power springs from the peo
lple, the election of chief executive
for the term prescribed by the consti
tuition is of deep concern to every
thoughtful citizen. OF no less moment
is the public expression through the
ballot of approval or condemnation OF
IeXisting or proposed governmental pol
licies.
Is of Deep Concern.
"In large measure under our repre-
llitica1 parties. This is but the state
ment OF a TACT familiar to all. 1t ma!
been so since the first formation O
distinctive political parties near the
close of WashingtOn's administration
and doubtless will SO continue to tn,
end. Truly was it said by Edmund
Burke: Party divisions, whether OF
the whole operating for good or evil
are things inseparable from free gov
eminent Experience has shown tina
no political party should for loni
period be entrusted with absolute pow
er. To the end that we have wise leg
|, islation, economical administration AM
honest methods in government, it
all important that political parties b
held to the strictest measure of az
countability; all important that n
lparty, whatever its record or prefer
sions, remain indefinitely entrenched il