The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-07-08
SPEECH OF THEODORE A. BELL
AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Temporary Chairman Points
Out Business of the Con-
vention - Recounts Evils
of the Day and Suggests
Their CORRECTION.
= AssoeIatea Press-

Denver, Colo, July 1.-The follow
| ing IS the speech of Theodore "A. Bell.
| temporary chairman Of the Demo
cratic National Convention, at the
gathering convened today:
Theodore A. Bell.
We have assembled at a time when
he public conscience is demanding
honesty OF purpose in the mea VINO
undertake 10 direct the affairs or
state. The public eye is keenly. senSi-
tive to every political movement, and
cur proceedings here E1l5.- be aBprov-
ed according TO the degree of sincerity
appearing in the work OF this cOnVen-
tinO-. There Is a widespread BELIEF,
founded upon evidence OF a conYinc-
| ing character, that the party in power
has not been true to its trust, that ii
has betrayed the common interest in
to the hands of Jhe enemies Of good
government, taeTeby fOrfeiting its
right and destroying its ability to rule
in the name of the people
Apparent to every one is the tact
that way dow q d1ep in the heart OF
the republican convention at Chicago
there was a feeling of anger and re-
sentiment over the popular clamor for
reforms; and it is slually patent that
there is no bona fife intention On the
part of the republican party CT grant
ing any reforms, il the machinery Of
that party can be retained in pres
ent hands. dts paper Blaform, divided
like ancient Gaul into three parts
barren promises. snakesbiftS and eva
sions, it is hoped viii make a cool
campaign transparency; but no one
seriously believes the republican par
" indorses that aeutral manuscript
which held the convention together
until it could ratifyt the nomination OF
a presidential candidate.
Approaching our great task in
manly dignified 5Baup er, iIaoued With
the -foftfest seITtimeKfts of patriotism,
ambitions to throw every safeguard
around the liberties of our people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses
that are consuming the substance OF
the nation, let US proceed TO OUT re-
sponsible duty with the sustaining
consciousness that We are responsible
alone to God and to our country for
the justice of our cause
There are three things that this
convention should DO. 1t ought to
present in q plain and Ineligible
manner the serious industrial and
present conditions that are disturb
ing the peace and happiness of our
country We should then proceed 10
a courageous exposure OS the re-
publican policies that are cooperating
I preston of the people. Most impOr-
/ tant of all, we must exhibit a Teadi-
ness and an ability to grasp the prob
/ lens of the hour and TO effect their
/ solution in a manner that will satisfy
| the sober. common sense of the null
titudes whose interests are at stake
| Abuse OF Corporate Power.
| Among the great evils that afflict
/ the country at the present time is
II
first the advancing lggreSsions OS the
corporations are moi discernfbIe TO
| the common eye, fer every move is
I carefully covered CD until Sufficient
political strength is attained to defy
/ the protests of the people Thus the
! constant and inSidiOaS invasion of the
peoples rights fnsIy results in a
! species OF ARROGANCE and defiance so
| formidable in its appearance that the
! body o. the people in fear of even
worse aggressions, hesitate to exer-
else their Tightful authority over
these cOllOSal enemiG of the common
wealth And so We behold a sJFbver-
sion of our free institution, a govern
ment voluntarily SubEdlnating itself
to selfish, private EMS, special priv
iege resortiIg to cunning, bribery AMI
/ Intimidation TO main1in its UnhOly
power. while the masses tim dly has
that when aVaTICe has at last reach
ed the point % satidy IL viii then
benevOleRtly permit tie people TO re-
sumo tleir TightfUI Nlare in the gov
! eminent of themseBe Whenever
| the mutteTings OF The people become
too threatening the CT Of cOnfscatiOn
goes up and appeals are fTantically
made to the saUed ri3,ts OF property.
This is INTENDED 70 alright the ears
% honest men in the enjoyment OF
| the fruits OF thar Industry and thrift
and thus by PLAYING upon their preju-
diceS and fears to deter them from
casting their inffence on the side OF
wholesome refOTts- The CRY o. con- /
HscatiOn IS the sStOTic def rnse OF
UsUrpation- Lett the people take
warning. Wheneer the wrongs of to- |
day become the tested rights OF to- |
morrow the nauO is IN deadly peril /
| The demOcratiCpaTty Is not the
enemy of pTOpeTt- but to the con-
tray. II has aIWEs stood and will 1
continue 10 stand rClly against every /
species of aggTes5n that would des- /
troy Or weaken IN right OF anv man
10 enjoy the Tewsis 70 which his
patience his skill his industry and /
his ecOnOn-c, enro him Our party |
approves that Seelg Of pride which 1
always accOmpaRii the possession 1
of purity. and il mmends an indi- 1
vijUal ownership 1.-THE soil that will |
| bring 10 the homeof America more
o. the convenieTs. comforts and
| lINurisS Of life AiinSt the evils OF 4