The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-07-10
position. But we may go further.

l.
came in contact with the leading
minds Of Christendom, and the world
abroad recognized his greatness and
paid him that tribute justly due to
men of high attainments. In the most
distinguished peace conference that
has assembled in recent years he pro-
posed plan which, if adopted, would
prove more effective than any arbitra-
ton treaty that has yet been made,
and by his influence he secured it's
approval by the representative of the
twenty-six leading nations there as
sembled.
Us he thoroughly informed regard
ing the issues of this campaign? Read
his speeches and his writings, which
for nearly twenty years have been a
part of the political literature of the
nation. Is he sincere, brave and de-
termined? Even his political op.
ponents now admit that he is. I have
had close personal and political ac
! quaintance with this man, whose
! name Nebraska presents, since he en-
tered political life. 1 can testify
from observation as to his political
conduct before be was known to fame
He was honest, brave and unyielding
then. He is honest, brave and I'm.
yielding now. Honesty is inherent liz
him. He was an honest lawyer before
ne entered politics, he was honest ir
his political methods before his states
manship was recognized by the nation,
and he has been honest throughout his
political. career.
His convictions have been his
political creed. He has impressed
these convictions upon others not by
d1ctation, but by arguments addressed
to the judgement and the conscience.
Believing in the ultimate triumph of the
right, he has never examined ques-
tons from the standpoint of expedi-
ency. He has never inquired whether
a political principle was popular. It
has been sufficient for him to believe
that it was right. He has been a con-
sistent champion of the reserved rights
of the states He favored the election
OF senators by direct vote before the
house of representatives ever acted
favorably upon the subject. He
championed tariff reform when the
west was the hotbed of protection.
He favored an income tax before the
income tax law was written. He at
tackled the trusts when Republican
leaders were denying that any trusts
existed. He advocated railroad regu-
1ation before the crusade against re-
bates and discrimination began. He
has always been the friend of labor
and was among the first to urge con-
Citation between labor and capital,
lie began to oppose government by
injunction more than a decade ago.
He announced his opposition to i'm
perialism before any other man of
prominence had expressed himself on
the subject and without waiting to see
whether it would be popular.
when Wall street panic burst
upon us few months ago he promptly
proposed as a remedy the guarantee
of bank deposits, and 50 popular has
this plan become that it is today
national issue and supported by the
masses Of the people. He has long
advocated legislation which will secure
publicity as to campaign contributions.
He believes in peace, in universal
Christian peace. He believes the
destiny of nations should be deter
mined not by wars, but by applying
the principles of justice and humanity.
Though these principles have met
with uncompromising opposition from
the special interests, he has remained
true to the cause Of the people, With
clear vision and with unfaltering
trust, seeing and knowing the truth, !
he has never lost faith in it's final
victory.
Through years Of unparalleled
political warfare, his loyalty to his
ideals and to his fellow men has been
abundantly shown. His refusal to
surrender his convictions, though sub
jected to abuse, denunciation and vim
dictive opposition such as few public |
men in all history have been compelled
to Withstand, is ample proof of shis |
superb courage. His career proves |
that successful leadership is deter
mined by the success or failure of |
great principles rather than by cleo
ton to high Office.
1--WE have met to plan the campaign |
and to commission the commander IN
der whom the masses will enlist We
are not here in response to the voice |
Of expediency. Neither political bosses
nor corporate masters sent us here |
We are here at the summons of the
rank and file Of that political organi- |
zation which is the special defender of |
the right of the common people, We
are here representing all that is best
In the traditions Of our party. We
feel again the spirit that animated the
Democracy in the days of Jefferson
and Jackson. The voters have spoken,
and we assemble to give expression Of
their will. Their voice for the third
time calls Nebraska's favorite son to
be standard bearer of his party in
this gigantic contest,
"Since time began no grander trib-
ute was ever paid to any man by
free people. He is recognized today
rs the most representative citizen Of
the nation, the peer Of any living man.
Friends and foes have learned that
he was shaped in that heroic mold in
which the worlds great patriots,
statesmen ana leaders have been cast.
First nominated when ten years
younger than any other presidential
candidate ever chosen by prominent