Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-07-21
REPUBLICAN PARTY
TARGET IN ADDRESS
Chairman Bell Condemns Admins
fration and Asserts Pledges
Are Never Fulfilled.
CAMPAIGN KEYNOTE SOUNDED.
Navy for Pacific, Deep Waterway,
Chinese Exclusion, Tariff Reduc-
ton, and Other Reforms.

tion, and Other Reforms.
Following is the keynote speech OF
Temporary Chairman Theodore A. Bel
| before the Democratic national convention
| in Denver
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 keen
| ~ sensitive TO every political movement and
our proceedings here will be approved ac-
cordlng % the degree of sincerity appearing
In the work of this convention. There is
widespread belief, founded upon evidence
OF 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 government,
thereby FORGETTING 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 Repub-
hcan convention at Chicago there feel
ing OF anger aud resentment over the popu-
lar clamor for reforms and 1t is equally
patent that there Is no bona tide intention
on the part of the Republican party of
granting any reforms, If the machinery of
that party be retained in present hands.
Its paper platform, divided like ancient
Gaul, into three parts-barren promises,
DdhcoulAlS anu tFASlOuS--tl Is uOPeQ Will
make a good campaign transparency but
no one seriously believes the Republican
party indorses that neutral manuscript
which held the convention together until 1t
could ratify the nomination of a preslden-
tial candidate.
Great Task at Hand.
Approaching our great task in a manly.
dignifed manner, imbued with the Hottest
sentiments Of patriotism, ambitious to throw
every safeguard around the liberties of our
! IN cts mr. ha
that are consuming tlfe substance of the
nation, let us proceed to appointed duty
with the sustaining consciousness that e
are responsible alone 10 God and TO our
country for the justice of our cause.
There are three things that this conven-
ton should do 1t ought to present, in a
plain and ineligible manner, the serious
industrial and financial conditions that are
disturbing the peace and happiness Of our
country. We should then proceed to q cour-
ageous exposure e the Republican policies,
that are cooperating with private greed In
the general oppression of the people. Most
important of all, we must exhibit a readi-
ness and an ability to grasp the problems Of
the hour and to effect their solution in a
manner that win satisfy the sober common
sense OF the multitudes whose interests are
Mt stake
As to Corporations.
Among the great evils that aflict the
country at the present time is the abuse of
corporate power. At first the advancing
aggressions Of the corporations are not dis
cernible to the common eye, Tor every move
is carefully covered up until sufficient po-
litical strength is attained to DEFY the pro-
tests of the people. Thus the constant and
insidious invasion Of the peoples rights
finally results in a species of arrogance and
defiance so formidable in its appearance that
the body of the people, In fear of even worse
aggressions. hesitate to exercise their right
full authority over these colossal enemies
OF the commonwealth.
And so we behold subversion. of our free
institutions, a government voluntarily sub
originating itself to selfish private ends, spe-
ciall privilege resorting to cunning, bribery
and intimidation to maintain Its unholy
power while the masses timidly hope that
when avarice has at last reached the point
of safety it will then beneyolently permit
the people to resume their rightful share in
the government of themselves.
Whenever the mutterings of the people
become too threatening the cry of confisca-
ton goes up and appeals are frantieally 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 In
dustry 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 confiscation
is the historic defense of usurpation. Let
the people take warning Whenever the
wrongs of to-day become the vested rights
of tomorrow the nation is in deadly peril.
No Enemy of Property.
The Democratic party is not the enemy
of property but, to the contrary, it has al
ways stood and will continue to stand firm
ly against every species of aggression that
would destroy or weaken the right of any
man to enjoy the rewards to which his pa
thence, his skill, his industry and his econ
omy entitle him. Our party approves thas
feeling of pride which always accompanies
the possession of property, and it commends
an individual ownership in the soil that
will bring to the homes of America more
of the conyeniences, 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 landowners,
more homes and more happiness among the
masses.
The Democratic party is not an enemy
of all corporations. 1t recognizes their great
value in the industrial world. Through the
agency of Incorporation scattered wealth is
brought together and given q driving force
that it would not otherwise possess. Great
enterprises are thereby undertaken and the
undeveloped resources Of the country added
to the wealth Of the world.
Opposed to Monopoly.
Our party is not opposed TO production
on a large scale. but it Is unalterably OPP
posed to monopoly in production. II is
easier to prevent monopoly than 1t is TO
control ii after being established An ounce
of prevention is worth pound CT cure, and
the withdrawal of special privileges will
take away the meat upon which the trusts
are fed. If this be followed by a criminal
prosecution ant an Imprisonment of the
directors and of GERS Of the guilty corpora
tions, monopoly III be shorn of many of its
terrors.
No rational man can be opposed to cor
porations as such, and the assertion that
the Democratic party Is waging an indls-
criminate war against this convenient form
of transacting business has no foundation In
fact. IL is the abuse only of corporate
power that we seek to eliminate.
Viewed In the light Of great moral in
stitution, the control OF corporations should
remain a question OF common concern rather
than a political one. but the shameful com
pliance of the Republican party in permit
ting its forces to be controlled and operated
by the most offending corporations OF the
country throws the problem into tie political
arena and compels the public TO choose be-
tween the Democratic party that will and
the Republican party that will not place
some restrictions on Incorporated greed.
Attacks other Party.
We are confronted with the inquiry, What
assurance has the Republican party given
that it win use the forces at its command to
| restore the people to their rights? In its
Chicago platform it did not make even q
decent pretense of championing the people s
cause and the proceedings of that conven-
ton are glaringiy insincere II was noted
that two elements were present in that
gatherinc-one with srfii cient votes TO adopt
a platform and name its candidate for Pres
ident. the other powerful enough to unw-ite
that platform and tie the hands OF the
nominee The Distinguishing feature Of the
Chicago platform Is It's oft-repeated promise
to do a lot Of things that the Republican
party has heretofore failed TO do That
party went to Chicago fresh from the halls
of Congress. where an Overwhelming Repnb-
lican ma sorifr In both branches enabled it