Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-07-14

funds of insurance companies and other
corpor ations and turned the plumber over
to the Republican committee. The money
thus filched from the innocent and help
less to purchase Republican victory has
not been repaid.
And where do we find these men today ?
Where are the swollen fortunes of
which we have heard SO much? Just
where we would expect to find them
supporting the Republican ticket and fur
nishing the sinews of war for the Repub-
iican committee as usual.
To wage a successful fight we must
have leader. The Republican party,
nominated by the seekers of special priv
ileges, cannot furnish him. Republicans
who really desire reform are powerless.
The efforts of the president have been fu-
tile.
Bryan Ideal Leader.
The Democratic party must furnish the
leader which present conditions demand.
and he must be a man known to be free
from the influences that control the Re-
publican party. He must be a man of
superior intellect, sound judgment, posi-
tive convictions and moral courage; one
who will meet the forces of plutocracy
with the naked sword of truth; one who
knows no surrender. He must have a
genius for stateeraft he must be man
of wide experience in public affairs; he
must nave dD1llty TO formulate pOllcieS
and courage to defend them.
But. above all. he must have faith In
the people He must not only believe in
the right of the people to govern, but in
their capacity to do so. And he must be
a man whom the people know and trust
The Democratic party has many dis
tinguished men who might be chosen as
our standard bearer. but it has one man
who, above all others, possesses the nee
essary qualifications and is eminently
fitted for this leadership.
He is man whose nomination will
leave no doubt as to where our party
stands on every public question. His
genius for statecraft is shown by the
constructive work he has done in propos-
ing reforms and by the ability with which
he has fortified his position.
Is he thoroughly informed regarding 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 determined? Even
his political opponents now admit that
he is.
l have had a close personal and DO
litical acquaintance with this man.
whose name Nebraska presents. since he
entered political life. l can testify from
observation as to his political conduct
before he was known to fame. He was
honest, brave and unyielding then; he is
honest. brave and unyielding now
Honesty is inherent in him. He was an
honest lawyer before he entered politics
He was honest in his political methods
before his craftsmanship was recognized
by the nation, and he has been honest
throughout his political career.
His convictions have been his political
creed. lie has impressed these conyic-
tons upon others, not by dictation but
DV arguments addressed IN bn
and the conscience.
Believing in the ultimate triumph of the
right, he has never examined questions
from the standpoint of expediency. He
has never inquired whether political
principle was popular. 1t has been suf-
ficient for him to believe it was right.
he has been a consistent champion of
the reserved rights of the states He ia
vored 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 in
come tax law was written. He attacked
the trusts when Republican leaders were
denying that any trusts existed. He adj
vocated railroad regulation before the
crusade against rebates and discrimina-
ton began.
He has always been the friend of labor
and was among the first to urge conciIia-
ton between labor and capital He began
to oppose government by injunction more
than a decade ago He announced his on
position to imperialism before any other
man of prominence had expressed him.
self on the subject and without waiting
to see whether il would be popular
When Wall street panic burst upon us
few months ago he promptly proposed
as remedy the guarantee of bank de-
posits. and so popular has this plan be-
come that it is today national issue
and supported by the masses of the peo-
pie. He has long advocated legislation
which will secure publicity as to cam.
paign contributions.
He believes in peace-in universal Chris
tian peace. He believes the destiny of ma
tons should be determined not by wars
but by applying the principles of justice
and humanity.
ership Is determined by the success OF
failure Of great principles rather than by
election to high Office.
Standard Bearer of His Party.
The voters have spoken and we as
semble to give expression of their will
The voice for the third time calls Nebras-
ka's favorite son to be the standard bear
er of his party in this gigantic contest
Since time began no grander tribute
was ever paid to any man by free peo-
pie. He is recognized today as 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 and
leaders have been cast
First nominated when ten years youn-
ger than any other presidential candidate
ever chosen by prominent party. living
in state 500 miles farther west than
hat in which any president has ever
lived. he has grown in the affections OF
the people as the years have passed.
Speaking and writing freely on all sub
jects. his heart has had no secrets. and