The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-07-13

Following is the keynote speech of
Temporary Chairman Theodore A. Bell
at the national convention at Denver,
which every Democrat should learn by
heart:
We have assembled at time when
the public conscience is demanding
honesty of purpose I'm the men who IN
dertake to direct the affairs of state.
The public eye is keenly sensitive to ev-
cry political movement, and our pro-
ceedings here will be approved accord
ing 10 the degree of sincerity appear
ing in the work of this convention.
There is a widespread belief. found
ed upon evidence of a convincing char
aeter, that the party in power has not
been true to its trust. that it has be-
trayed the common interest into the
hands of the enemies of good govern
ment, thereby forfeiting its right and
destroying its ability TO rule in the
name Of the people.
Apparent to every one is the fact
that way down deep in the heart of the
Republican convention at Chicago there
was feeling of anger and resentment
over the popular clamor for reforms,
and 1t is equally patent that there is no
bona fide intention on the part of the
Republican party of granting any re-
forms, II the machinery OF that party
can be retained in present hands.
Its paper platform, divided like an
Gent Gaul into three parts-barren
promises, makeshifts and evasions-it
is hoped will make good campaign
transparency, but no one seriously be-
lieves the Republican party endorses
that neutral manuscript which held the
convention together until il could rati-
fy the nomination of a presidential can
didate.
Approaching our great task in
manly, dignified manner, imbued with
the loftiest sentiments of patriotism.
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties of our people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses that
are consuming the substance of the ma
ton, let us proceed TO our appointed
duty with the sustaining consciousness
that we are responsible alone TO God
and to our country for the justice of our
cause
An Appeal to Common Sense.
There are three things that this con-
vention should do:
1T ought to present in a plain and
intelligent manner the serious indus
trial conditions that are disturbing the
peace and happiness of our country.
I'VE should then proceed to a cour-
pStOuS CAPOSdiC VI Tic INcPuOiSdi POi-
icies that are cooperating with private
greed in the general oppression of the
people.
Most important of all, we must ex-
hibit a readiness and AN ability to grasp
the problems of the hour and to eff
feet their solution in a manner that
will satisfy the sober, common sense
of the multitudes whose interests are at
stake.
Among the great evils that afflict
the country at the present time is the
abuse of corporate power. At first the
advancing aggressions of the corpora
tons are not discernible to the common
eye, for every move is carefully COW
cred up until sufficient political strength
is attained to defy the protests of the
people.
THUS the constant and insidious in
vasion of the peoples rights finally re-
suits in a species of arrogance and de-
fiance so formidable in its appearance
that the body of the people. in fear of
even worse aggressions. hesitate to ex-
ercise their rightful authority over these
colossal enemies of the commonwealth
And so we behold a subversion of
our free institutions. government vol
unfairly subordinating itself to selfish,
private ends. special privilege resorting
to cunning, bribery and intimidation to
maintain its upholy power.
Whenever the mutterings of the peo-
pie become too threatening the cry of
confiscation goes up and appeals are
frantically made to the sacred rights
of party. This is intended to alright
the ears of honest men in the enjoy
ment of the fruits of their industry and
thrift. and thus. by playing upon their
prejudices and fears. to deter them
from casting their influence on the side
of wholesome reforms. The cry of con-
fiscation is the historic defense of usur-
patton. Let the people take warning
Whenever the wrongs of today become
the vested rights of tomorrow the ma
ton is in deadly peril.
Position Of Democracy.
The Democratic party is not the en-
envy of property: but to the contrary.
il has always stood and will continue
to stand firmly against every species
of aggression that would destroy or
weaken the right of any man to en-
joy the rewards TO which his patience,
his skill his industry and his economy
enroll him.
Our party approves that feeling Of
pride which always accompanies the
possession of property, and il commends
an individual ownership in the soil that
will bring to the homes of America
more of the convenience, comforts and
luxuries of life. Against the evils OF
special privilege We urge the benefits
of equal opportunity. in order that
there may be more land owners, more
homes and more happiness among the
masses.
The Democratic party is not an en-
envy of all corporations. 1t recognizes
their great value in the industrial
world. Through the agency of incor-
poration scattered wealth is brought to-
gether and given a driving force that
il would not otherwise possess. Great
enterprises are thereby undertaken and
the undeveloped resources of the coun-
try added TO the wealth of the world
No ratiuonal man can be opposed to
corporations as such, and the asser-
ton that the Democratic party is wag-
ing an indiscriminate war against this
convenient form of transacting bust
ness has no foundation in fact. 1t is
the abuse only of corporate power that