The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1908-07-17
S.lOWSPARTY'S AIMS
SPEECH OF TEMPORARY CHAIR.
MAN BELL AT DENVER.
DUTIES BEFORE CONVENTION
Republicans Blamed for Failure to
Correct Alleged Abuses--DeniaI
That Democratic Party Is
Enemy of Property.


national convention was formally
called to order at noon by Thomas
Taggart, chairman of the national COM
mittee, in the spacious auditorium
erected by the citizens of Denver for
the use of the convention.
On taking the chair Temporary
Chairman Theodore A. Bell delivered
the following speech:
We have assembled at time when
the public conscience is demanding
honesty Of purpose in the men who
undertake to direct the affairs of state.
The public eye is keenly sensitive to
every political movement, and our
proceedings here will be approved &C
cording to the degree of sincerity APP
pearing In the work of this conven-
ton. There is a widespread belief,
founded upon evidence of a convincing
character, that the party In power
has not been true to its trust, that 1t
has betrayed the common interest into
the hands of the enemies of good gov
eminent. thereby forfeiting its right
and destroying its ability to rule In
the name of the people.
Apparent to everyone is the fact
that way down deep in the heart of
the Republican convention at Chicago
there was feeling of anger and re-
sentiment over the popular clamor for
reforms; and it is equally patent that
there is no bona fide intention on the
part Of the Republican party of grant
ing any reforms, IL the machinery of
that party can be retained in present
hands. It's paper platform, divided
like ancient Gaul into three parts
barren promises, makeshifts and eva
sions-it is hoped will make a good
campaign transparency; but no one
seriously believes the Republican par
ty indorses that neutral manuscript
which held the convention together
antil it could ratify the nomination of
presidential candidate.
Duty of Party Put Forward.
Approaching our great task in q
manly, dignified manner, imbued with
tine ioftiest sentiments OF patriotism,
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties of the people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses that
are consuming the substance of the
nation, let us proceed to our appointed
duty with the sustaining conscious
ness that we are responsible alone to
God and to our country for the justice
of our cause.
There are three things that this con-
vention should do. 1t ought to present
In a plain and ineligible manner the
serious industrial and present condi-
lions that are disturbing the peace and
happiness of our country. We should
then proceed to a courageous exposure
of the Republican policies that are
cooperating with private greed in the
general oppression OF the people. Most
important of all, we must exhibit a
readiness and an ability to grasp the
problems of the hour and to effect
their solution in 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 cor
porations are. not discernible to the
common eye, for every move is care
fully covered up until sufficient politi-
cal strength is attained to defy the
protests of the people. Thus the con-
slant and insidious invasion of the
peoples rights finally results in spe-
cies of arrogance and defiance SO for
midable in its appearance that the
body of the people, in fear of even
worse aggressions, hesitate to exer-
else their rightful authority over these
colossal enemies of the common
wealth. And so we behold subver-
sion of our free institutions. govern
ment voluntarily subordinating itself |
TO selfish, private ends, special priv |
ilege, resorting to cunning, bribery |
and intimidation to maintain its I'M
holy power, while the masses timidly |
hone that when avarice has at last |
reached the point Of safety it will |
then benevolently permit the people to |
resume their rightful share in the gov
eminent of themselves. Whenever |
the mutterings of the people become |
too threatening the cry of confiscation |
goes up and appeals are frantically |
made to the sacred rights OF property.
This Is intended to alright the ears
of honest men in the enjoyment OF |
the fruits of their industry and thrift, |
and thus by playing upon their preju-
dices and fears to deter them from
casting their influence on the side OF
wholesome reforms. The cry OF con-
flscation is the historic defense OF
Let the people take warn
ing. Whenever the wrongs OF to-day
..aeorna the vested rights of to-morrcM |