The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-09-03
WHITE AT 0TTUMNA
HON. FEED. e. WHITE OPENS
CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY.
LIVE ISSUES ARE DISCUSSED
The People of Mr.. Whites Home
District Give Him Cordial Greet
ing-Prospects for Democratic
Victory Are Brigh,.

Eore proceeding to discuss the QueS-
lions at issue at this time l may be
pardoned to say a few words con-
corning myself. Before the Cedar
Rapids convention last spring l had
not the slightest intention to again
be candidate. l resisted the ef-
forts to nominate me until further
resistance would have been unbecom-
ing and unjustifiable. To receive
unanimous call from ones party to
serve 1t in SO conspicuous and honor
able a capacity as it's candidate for
governor is summons that no man
has right to ignore. To be nomi-
mated and elected governor of Iowa is
an honor coveted by the most emf
nent citizens, but of course realized
by few. l want to assure you, one
and all, that do not undervalue the
distinction of being commissioned the
third time to be the leader of our
party and in case of my election
trust | shall not underestimate the
responsibilities OF the governship. My
ambition will be to give to the people
of our great commonwealth the very
best service my talents will enable
me to give. From the days of my
youth l have been strictly identified
with the leading interest of our fam
Gus state, it's farming interest. have
lived in Iowa since 1857 except three
and one-half years, l was in Uncle
Sans military service in the war of
the rebellion. l have lived on the
farm | now own since 1865. l have
never owned dollars worth of prop.
erty outside of my farm. Having
therefore been identified with the
leading industry of our state for over
fifty years l trust l may have gained
some knowledge which will be of use
to me, in case 1 am elected, in the
administration Of the affairs of the
state.
When we remember the facts and
circumstances and soberly contem-
plate the conditions that go to make
up the present political situation
throughout the country, that fix the
status of the democratic party, that
give character and individuality to
the different political and economic
forces that are in more or less active
operation, one must be of a very slug
gish temperament indeed who should
fail to generously commend the demo.
cratic party for the stand it has again
taken in defense of popular rights,
In defense of equal rights. For al
most fifty years the democratic party
has been out of power while the rule
of its great rival has been continu-
Gus. 1t is true Mr.. Cleveland was
twice elected president but the cir
,cumstances connected with his two
terms were of such a character as not
to really amount to break in the
carrying out of republican policies.
During his first term hostile SEN
ate effectually blocked the way of
any genuine democratic reform. Dur.
ing his second term the finance ques-
ton so overshadowed every other that
the policy of esta plishing the gold
standard monopolized the greater
share Of Mr.. Cleveland's time and
energies During this period of al
most half a century the democratic
party has been permitted to play only
the subordinate part allotted to
minority party. But it has played that
part we'll under all circumstances.
It's eternal purpose to fight the battles
OF the common people against their
oppressors has never been lost sight
OF. One disaster after another has
marked it career. For fifty years al
most it has practically lost every
presidential contest But to the ever.
lasting credit of the democratic party
history will record the resplendent
truth, that during the agony of all its
defeats, during the many years of its
Misrepresentation and persecution,
when its fortunes have dropped to
the lowest ebb, when it's eXultant
enemy has been in the habit of read
ing doleful burial service at the
supposed grave of the democracy, the
disciples of Jefferson have never de-
SPARED, have never let go of their
faith. With an integrity of purpose
for which there is no parallel in re-
cent history, unless it be the sus-
tanned struggle of the Irish people for
home rule, the democracy has risen
superior to all its accumulated mis-
fortunes, it has out-lived the years of
its supposed humiliation and again
proving true to the cardinal principles
of it's ancient faith. it is today the
only political force that has the will
and the strength to deliver the people
of this republic from a crisis. the ma
ture OF which makes every true pat
riot tremble. Can any serious phil
osopher account for the phenomenal
staying powers of this organization
except upon the theory that it is
thoroughly devoted to a creed the
basic principles Of which are self
evident truths? 1t is entirely safe to
say that the faith of millions OF
voters can not remain mistaken when
pinned to unsound propositions. espec.
tally under the disastrous Influences
Of repeated defeats. Decentralization
and final ACKNOWLEDGMENT would over
take the fortunes Of any political or
ganization thus conditioned.
Many kinds OF danger have threat
ened the welfare of our people at diff.
ferent times during our past history.
We have successfully passed through
more than one crisis. The intelli.
gence and heroism of our people have
been tested more than once No i'm.
partial student will charge me with
an attempt 70 exaggerate when say
that the present is by far the most
dangerous crisis that has ever con-
fronted us. 1t is not the minor ques-
tio,, of adiusfino mOnatarx, ctond,rS