The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-20


Threats.
Washington, Match lS.-'Drunk
with power, the republican party has
become inert and inefficient. corrupt
anc eervile. IL has achieved its
manifest destiny II has neither rc-
formed nor economfzed. 1t failed TO
look at the sign boards and ran ths
car OF prosperity onto n commercial
turntable."
In those words, Ar. Hull. of Ten
nessee, in the house today. express
cd his opinion OF the republican par
~. Having thus prescribed he said.
our republican friends should cheer
fully take the dose of their own
medicine, however bitter. that In.
evitably awaits them at the polls IA
November next"
Mr. Hull discussed tho issuos OF
the day and arraigned the republi.
cans for falling TO provide remedia:
legislation that the country was de
manding.
Mr.. Hull asserted that he was not
one OF those democrats who thought
Mr.. Bryan should place Mr.. Roosevelt
n nomination for president. Al
4
wise to embrace certain democratic
doctrines, he had not committed the
republican party TO them. but In
stead referred to them as my poll
cies." He was not so sure but that
this controversy between the presi-
dent and swollen wealth is not a
mere love quarrel, possible OF early
reconciliation" While the president
nfPn - Ia
said MIR. Hull at the same time no
had contributed more than all 9th
er influences Of the past aud pre-
sent generation to the creation of
a line OF vicious and evil precedents
that would be lasting curse TO the
worst despotism In the world"
He charged the presidents CON.
tempt for the plain mandates OF the
constitution had become proverblal.
THE only problem with the preed-
dent" he declared, was not how To
follow the constitution az Il IS writ
ten, expounded and construed by the
fathers, but how TO make the con-
stitution follow him on his journey
10 the north pole of paiernalism.
Democracy, he said, registered q loud
protest against such fragrant execu-
tive usurpation."
Nr. Hull contended that the repub-
lican party had not led a sinless ufe.
1T has debauched the public con
science" he said. "and estabIiahed
a government OF arbitrary power
under which the rights and Liberties
OF the people might find protection.
It has no fixed doctrines, save tho
protective tariff. but blind subser-
viency TO corporate wealth and pa
ternalism and only a spirit Of brf-
gandage and commerclallsm binds II
to these"
What was orthodox today, said ne
was blasphemy tomorrow, and he az
serted that whether the republicans
nominated a radical or a conserva.
tive for the presidency this year.
they would adopt a platform LOUD
in their pretended condemnation OK
predatory wealth and in their mock
professions OF loyalty to the peoples
interests"
TO do other taan endorse mY
pClicies." he said, would be to In
woke annihilation. III the conses "a
tive element supported the tlckot
nominated, he said. the American
people would be assured that after
the election the party will throw on
its thin disguise and again disclose
its old set Of policies designed 10
shield the criminal plutocracy."
In that event, he declared, a
Roosevelt or radical republican
would then become no more than q
little malignant postule. on the re-
publican elephant
In craven fear OF the coming day
Of the peoples judgment. already
comatose and moribund, this party is
making one last desperate effort ID
prolong its miserable existence eith-
er by buying the people with pro
mises OF bullying them with
threats"