The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-12-28
Saws John w. Kern:

1T seems to me there will be an en-
tirely new alignment of the political
forces of the country, with the specia'
interests on one side and the enemies
of the special interests on the other.
Men have grown rich and men are
growing rich because laws have been
passed to help them in their business
And all of the money thus concentrated
and being concentrated, has come and
is coming. from the pockets of the peo-
pie. Protectionists once said that the
foreigners paid the tax; they say it no
more, now that every sensible man
knows the consumer, himself. pays it.
AS l see the future, the battle will be
fought by the special interests and the
people-.by protection republicans and
democrats, as representing the special
interests, and by tariff reform demo-
Gratis and republicans, as representing
the rest of the country.
Fear of a Panic.
The democrats cannot elect a presi-
dent under the conditions that have
prevailed ever since the campaign of
1892. LaFollette, during his great
speech in the senate, showed that less
| than hundred men control the bust
ness of the United States-the banks
the railways and the large manufac-
tories. He gave names, and we know
that what he said is true. Those men
can threaten the country with panic
and the people will believe them. They
actually brought on a panic in 1907 tic
| scare Roosevelt. l stumped the east
| south and west in the campaign OF
| 1908. I should like to vote the demo
cratic ticket many a man said to me
| but l am afraid to do 50. All I have
in the world is invested in my little
business. A panic would ruin me-
II the democratic party Mr.. Kerr
continued, "nominates a candidate fol
president who is supposed to be il
sympathy with the interests that were
mentioned by Senator LaFolIette. The
voters will not support him. If can
didate satisfactory to the votere i:
nominated, the panic scare will be le
loose, and he would be defeated Al
for myself. 1 cannot see any chance o.
democratic success at a presidential
election.
For present advantage" Mr. Kerr
went on to say, for the little dolla
that can be grabbed and pocketed
business men, and great business mel
DIT ma, are J6OPdIQiIliS Lie
and the institutions of their country
They are multiplying socialists taste
than are the socialist leaders them
selves There is a dangerous and dor
mant socialistic sentiment in tn
United States that has not yet com
into the open, that has not yet disasso
ciated itself from the republican an
democratic parties. Hundreds of thou
sands of secret socialists are still vot
ing the old tickets. No one can tel
what would happen if they shout
break through the traditions that nol
restrain them and vote the way the
think is right. 1 am afraid we shout
witness revolution; not a revolutio
: of blood--I would not let myself be
E lieve that such a thing is possible
/ America but a revolution Of propert.
Work for Nations Interest.
f However, am treasured by tn
thought that patriotic. men within tn
: democratic and republican parties wi
i save the United States both from sc
: cialism and the ravages of selfishnes
s and special interests. LaFollette an
9 Senator Cummins of Iowa, who haN
been vigorous and consistent from tt
= first, are directing and creating publ
G opinion among the
S Other strong men--Doliver of low
and Beveridge of Indiana. for instan'
having read the signs of the time
are also dilfgent and enthusiastic
r revolt is being organized inside of IL
n republican party, and it may be join'
e finally by those democrats who are
| sympathy with its principles. The
: we shall have the new alignment
: spoke of-Aldrich. Cannon, Bailey. Sin
:. mons, Daniel, and others like theT
leading the party that believes in u
: ing the taxing power Of the govern
!. ment to enrich men engaged in pr
o vate business"
would new leadership" I aske
:. help the democratic party?'
!: I'VE have tried two kinds of leade
r BRYAN and Parker land both faile
Parker supposed he had the suppo
' of the men named by LaFollette in b
i senate speech. but when he censur
}. the trusts he soon realized that tn
+ opposed him. Bryan. whose strengi
might say. Is altogether a matter