Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-07-09

will then ~benevolently permit the PEG.
pie to resume their rightful share in
the government of themselves. When
ever the mutterings of the people be-
come too threatening the cry of on
~fiscation goes up and appeals are fran
tlcally made to the sacred rights of
party. This is intended TO alright the
ears of honest men in the enjoyment
of the fruits of the %irindustry and thrift
and thus by playing upon their pre-
JUDGES 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
usurpation. Let the people take warn
ing. Whenever the wrongs of today
become the vested rights of tomor-
row the nation is in deadly peril.
No Enemy of Prosperity.
The Democratic party is not the
enemy of prosperity; but to the con-
trary, it has always stood and will
continue to stand firmly against every
species of aggression that would des-
troy or weaken the rights of any
man to enjoy the rewards to which
his patience. his skill, his industry
and his economic, enroll him. Our
party approves that feeling OF, pride
which always accompanies the possess
sion of purity. and it commends an in.
dividual ownership in the soil that
will bring to the homes of America
more of the convenience, comforts and
Injuries 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 recog-
nizes their great value in the indust-
rial world. Through the agency Of
incorporation scattered wealth Is
brought together and given 8 driving
force that 1t would not otherwise
possess. Great enterprises are there
by undertaken and the u~ndeveloped re-
sources of the country added to the
wealth of the world.
No rational 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 we seek to eliminate.
Control Corporations.
Viewed in the light of a great moral
institution the control Of corporations
should remain a question Of common
concern rather than a political one,
but the shameful and common com
placence of the Republican party in
permitting Its forces to be controlled
and operated by the most offending
corporations Of the country throws the
problem into the political arena and
compels the public to choose between
the Democratic party, that will, and
the Republican party that will not,
place some restrictions on Incorporate
ed greed.
We are confronted with the inquiry
what assurance has the Republican.
party given that 1t will use the forces
at its command to restore the peop.s
to their rights? In its Chicago plat
form 1t did not make even a decent
pFetense Of championing the peoples
cause and the proceedings of that con-
vention are glaringly insincere. 1t
was noted that elements were pres.
sent in that gathereing, one with
sufficient votes to adopt a platform
and name its candidate for president,
the other powerful enough to unwrite
that platfrom and tie the hands of the
nominee. The distinguishing feature
Of the Chicago platform Is its oft-re-
peated promise to do a lot of things
that the Republican party has hereto
fore failed to do. That party went
to Chicago fresh from the halls Of
congress where an overwhelming Re-
publican majority In both branches
enabled 1T to propose to and adopt
any legislation that 1t chose. Does
the Republican party believe that it