The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-08-06
DEMOCRATS GUARDI

UEMOCRHIS-UN GUARD!
Let the democrats of the United
State be on guard. The election of
William j. Bryan will be the reward of
vigilance-party defeat and humiliation
will follow negligence so surely as
night follows day.
Conditions now are similar to those
which prevailed Immediately after the
nomination of Alton B. Parker in St.
Louis. Had the election been held the
day after the convention, sentiment
throughout the country was set in the
direction of the standard bearer of
democracy. The people were beginning
to fear Roosevelt. Those who watched
most closely the trend of events had
already deteeted evidence Of that mad
ambition and unrestrained lust of power
which have made the reign of the Rough
Rider one of disaster. Already they
had been convinced that the welfare of
the nation required the election of a
democrat and already had they begun
to recognize the virtues which Alton B.
Parker undoubtedly possesses.
During the first weeks of the cam
paign, the word came from the east
that Roosevelt was regarded as unsafe
and many level-headed men in both
parties considered him practically in
sane. The election of Parker was pre-
dicted and the republican politicians
were aroused to the most Herculean
efforts of modern politics.
Every republican of influence who
could be controlled was whipped into
the fight for Roosevelt. Word was sent
to all the great interests and pledges
were made to them that Roosevelt
would be safe, sane, and could not if he
would disturb business conditions and
bring about the panic, which the United
States was beginning to fear. The in
terests at first demurred and then con-
tributed huge campaign funds and con-
verified their business institutions into
huge political machines for the election
Of Theodore Roosevelt. Their fears had
been quoted by the assurance that
Roosevelt was "under control" and that
a conservative House and Senate would
prevent him doing whatever harm his
mad whims might dictate.
Thus the tide was turned against AL
ton B. Parker and thus the republican
machine, with James S. Sherman at the
lever, is attempting to turn the tide
against William ]. Bryan. All that the
influence of the moneyed interests can
do, all that the slush funds can accom-
plish, the republican machine will bring
about and in this feature of the cam
paign and here alone, lies the danger to
Mr.. Bryan.
Already the republicans are begin
ming again to represent Mr.. Bryan as
fire brand. Already, they are begin
ming to promise that William H. Taft,
pledged to the ruinous, un-American
policies Of Theodore Roosevelt, will
break that pledge. Already, they are
promising that the moneyed interests
will be "taken care Of" and that the
Roosevelt creature will recognize his
obligation to those who contribute to
such huge corruption funds as those by
which republicans elected Theodore
Roosevelt, the master of the present
nominee.
The Post is a practical newspaper.
1t believes in honest politics., and that
honesty is the most practical kind of
politics. 1t believes in recognizing con-
ditions and i'll meeting them. 1t be-
lieves in mailing lies and frauds with
sledge hammer blows and is confident
that the truth when recognized, will
always win.
Therefore, it warns you, democrats, of
the sole danger which threatens you
and your standard bearer. 1t calls
upon you to be on guard, to the end
that the republican politicians may not
again deceive the public and fasten
upon the nation for another four years
the destructive regime of Theodore
Roosevelt, who dominates and abso-
lutely controls the republican nominee.
Mr.. Bryan needs no defense. His
party needs no eulogy. Let the people
Of all parties understand Mr.. Bryan as
he is. Let the people of all parties
know for what the democratic party
stands. Let the business interests,
which are want to pay tribute to the
republican sandbaggers, understand
that no legitimate business need fear
democratic administration. Let them
understand that in providing slush
funds for Taft, they are not only break
ing moral laws, but that they are throw
ing their money away. Let them un-
derstand that equal rights to all and
special privileges to none" means the
right OF every man, rich or poor, to live
and prosper. Let them understand
that you are trying to elect 'sconsti-
tutlona! president, not a dictator, and
that neither threats, nor expressions,
AoH A"iI 'AioJ Ooouo Will play pdfU
in his administration.
Let the people of the United States
understand and know that democratic
administration means return of pros
perity, the restoration of normal condi-
tions, the abolition of the "big stick"
economy in public affairs, and the great
est good for all the people.
The best antidote for the poison of
the republican machine is the gospel
OF democracy, pure and untainted. The
democratic party stands for these
tenets as it never stood before and
William J. Bryan is fully in accord
with his party.
Let the people understand. Let them
not be deceived. Let them know that
Taft will keep his pledge to Roosevelt
and that even while those interests
which pay for illegal protection, may
receive it, as some of them have re-
ceive it during the Roosevelt admins
tratlon, those that desire but lawful
DrOtactlOn will nlaod FOR - 80 49,