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

Denver, July z. Following is the
entire speech of Temporary Chairman
Theodore Bell sounding the keynote
OF the Democratic party at the open
ing of the national convention TO.
day:
We have assembled at a 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 ap-
pearfng in the work of this conven-
ton. There is a widespread belief
founded upon evidence of a convinc-
ing character, that the party in power
has not been true to its trust, that
it has betrayed the common interest
into the hands of the enemies of good
government, thereby forefeiting it's
right and destroying its ability to rule
IN the name of the people.
Feeling of Anger.
Apparent to every one is the fact
that way down deep in the heart of
the Republican convention at Chi
cago there was a feeling of anger and
resentment over the poular 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, if the machinery of
that party can be retained in present
hands. Its paper platform, divided
like ancient Gaul into three parts
barren promises, makeshifts and eva
sions, it is hoped will make q good
campaign transparency; but no n
seriously believes the Republican
party indorses that neutral manu-
script which held the convention to-
gether until it could ratify the nomi-,
nation of a presidential candidate.
To Do a Great Task.
Approaching our great task in a
manly dignifled manner, imbued with
the Hottest sentiments of patriotism,
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties of our people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses that
are consuming the substance of the
nation, let us proceed to our appoint
seriousness that we. are responsible
alone to God and to our country for
the justice of our cause.
There are three things that this
convention should do. 1t ought to pre-
sent in a plain and Ineligible man
ner the serious industrial and present
conditions that are disturbing the
peace and happiness of our country.
We should then proceed to a cour-
ageous exposure Of the Republican
policies that are cooperating with
private greed in the general D
sion 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 solu.
ton In a name that will satisfy the
sober, common n of the multitudes
whose interests are at stake.
Corporate Power.
Among the great evils that afflict.
the country at the present time is the
abuse of corporate power. At first the
advancing aggregations of the corpo.
rations are not d~iscernible to the com
mon eye, for every move is care
fully covered up until sufficient cpoliti-
cal strength is attained to defy the
protests of the people. Thus the con.
stant. and insidious invasion of the peo-
PIES rights finally results in a
species OF arrogance and defiance 30
formidable in its appearance that the
body of the people, In fear Of ever
worse aggressions, hesitate and exer-
else their rightful authority over these
colossal enemies of the commonwealth.
And SO we behold q subversion of our
free institution, a government vol
unfairly subordinating itself to selfish,
private ends, special privilege re-
sorting to cunning. bribery and in.
timidation to maintain it's unholy
wer while all the masses timidly
expect is that when ayarice has
Mreached the point Of safety it
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