Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-07-17
GOVERNOR SWANSON'S /
SEC0NDiNG SPEECH.
Speech Of Gov. c, A. Swanson in
Seconding Colonel Bryan's Nom
inati0n at Denver Last Week. 4

mr. Chairman and Delegates. of the
+ National Democratic Convention:
Political wisdom and morality demand
that a party cause and party s can
didate should, conform This accord
gives assurance that success will ripen
election promises into legislative and
executive performances 1t indicates
an honesty of purpose which entities
the party to the fullest confidence of
the people. A reform candidate on a
+reactionary platform or a retreating
candidate on progressive platform are
Inconsistencies which invariably end in
deserved and disastrous defeat. We
now witness theu Republican party. in
the distressing situation of having it's
candidate the professed! heir, of the
president, chained to platform which
sternly repudiates. all the well-known
Roosevelt policies. Secretary Taft. as
the campaign progresses, will find it
impossible, to cling both to the Roose-
welt policies, and the Republican, plat
form. He will be compelled to repudiate
one or the other, Even his facile talents
will find it impossible to be at one and
the same time a reactionary and re-
former. A person cannot advance and
retreat at the same time. - ID
The Democratic party proposes to in-
dulge in no such folly; it is determined
to attempt no such deception; it here
and now refuses to follow the fraud of
the Republican convention. of having
the voice of, Jacob in the hand of
Esau.H The Democratic party proposes
boldly and clearly to state the reforms
needed for the betterment of our coun-
try. and then to nominate a candidate
who gives positive proof of the earnest
ness of our purpose, We ore here to
sound a charge, not a retreat! Never
before has the Democratic, party con-
fronted the people with deeper as
surance of the. correctness, of its prin-
ciples, nor. with more complete vindi-
cation Of the wisdom of its policies. The
Republican. administration in recent
years has been strenuously endeayoring
to retain its responsibility by clothing
itself in Democratic attire, and to, OBJ
tain favorable consideration by, loudly
proclaiming Democratic preachments.
The measure of the popularity of Re-
publican statesmen today is the extent
to which they clothe themselve in Dem
ocratic habiliments,. and endeavor to
bring TO, the country Democratic re-
forms Every reform promised by the
Republican party today, when reduced
to its ultimatum, is promise on, the
part of that party to. correct its own
vicious work. ~ -,..,., -. =. !.
.,r What are the pressing problems of
the hour. the solution of which are
necessary, for the, advancement and
prosperity of this nation? n.,,4.,
A reduction of the iniquitous .Repub-
lican tariff, which has more than doubled
the cost of living to, the great. masses
of the people; whichha been the mother
of innumerable trusts, and which, by
despoiling the many to enrich the few
has piled the wealth of this ns tion noun
tain high in some places surrounded on
all sides by barren and sterile plains.
|, A reform in our wretched, currency
system. which is the breeder of panics
and high money, and which enables a
few to dominate the. finances of this
nation. thus at their win to bring panics
and destruction upon the varied business
interests. ,.. .sss.,....... ....,,,... ...',
=
a fair, but vigorous, regulation and
control of the, great transportation
system, without permitting discrimina-
tons, rebates and unjust charges
against any individual. city, state or
section. 49,. -. -
The enactment of law which win pre-
vent the great industrial system of this
nation being controlled by monopoiies,
trusts and combines.
| "A cessation Of the wasteful Republi-
can expenditure ofpub1lc money, which
threatens the very foundation of national
prosperity.
+. The abandonment of our foolish i'm
tperial policy and return to the better
days and simpler virtues Of the old re
IDuOuc-- -Ntt-t $50 rssf.At-s-s- g=-rgf
!, An annqlment of that unholy alliance
between predatory wealth and govern
ment, which the Republican party .ha,
made,i and thus shamefnlly sold iegisla
ton for campaign contributions.
These are the, abuses upon which tn,
Democratic party shall appeal to. tn,
patriotism and enlightened conscienc,
of this nation. so ad .l;sc a..sn,. ...l5
a. Who is the great Democrat who's,
past record, whose personality. who's,
eloquence. whose character and capacit,
form a, combination able to. presen
these issues foreibly TO the American
people. and who. if victory comes, will
without. fear or. favor, use all the grea
powers INCIDENT 10 the office of. presi
ldent to. have these reforms realized
Speaking in behalf Of the State of .Vir
j jginia, her people. proclaim with almos
an unanimens voice that that person j
lWilliam Jennings Bryant ssi g.s -