Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-16

these enormous amounts of money to the
Republican camnaign for? How d. they
expect men who are elected to their seats
largely by means of this money will vote
W hen the interests of these very contr-
hutors are at stake? The fact is the
Trusts have actually capitalized the Re
publican party and are now drawing Their
dividends off the back and out Of the
StomaChS of the great masses of Amerl-
can people.
In the present situation many Repubi-
cans are disposed to leave their party.
| know that is is difficult to break away
from their party with all its past ties and
associations. Especially is this true of
the older members of the Republican
party. some of whom perhaps helned to
found that party with the immortal Lin
coin. They are justly proud of their par
ty and its history and tradition, but the
cardinal principle Of Lincoln's political
belief was that this is "a government of
tile people, by the people and for the
people and to all our Republican friends
Of today who believe in the great Amcri-
can doctrine Of Lincoln's government by
the people, say YOU are not leaving
Your party. your party has LETT YOU the
Republican party as il is dominated ana
controlled today is no longer the party
Of Lincoln and lIamlin, the great Marty
Of freedom and equality. but has become
the party of Cannon and Aldrich, the
party of special privilege and general
plumber
our opponents may fairly ask us what
remedy the Democratic party mas iot
present conditions. | say at the outset
that the Democratic party has no new
nostrnm or clre-al for present evils.
There is not now and never has been
political evil in this country, that cannot
be relieved by the faidtul ana honest
application of the great underlying prin-
ciples upon which this government was
founded
One of these great principles of Amer
lean government is peculiarly applicable
IN Is Of tO1aV ''pUIIal riyl1t Z
to all ard special privileges to none
Here is precisely where our present
trouble exists Here is that the Trusts
have led the Republican party into a
violation of one of the great principles
Of American government. That great
doctrine of equality and opposition to
special privilege was laid down by
Thomas jefferson at the very dawn of
the Republic and has been followed by
every Democratic President since. from
Madison to Cleveland.
And in this great crisis it will still be
followed. It Is this precise principle
ules will give relief to the people from
present burdens and viii not injure a
single honest industry on American soil.
The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill was
made up on the very opposite principle.
Each special interest made its exorbitant
demand upon Congress. It is an open
secret that in many instances each in
terest did not believe either In the JUS
tlce, idiihsSS' of necessity OF the rates
asked for by the other, but in the final
selfish scramble each one supported ali
the others, no matter how wrong, or I'M
just, or unfair. or unnecessary he con-
sidered them to be. in order to get his
own.
We are told that the tariff Is difficult
question for the masses of voters to I'M
derstand And so it is. And for this
reason there has been endless humbug
and deception practiced upon the people
a distinguished political economist of
France once said:
ITO rob the people it is first necessary
TO deceive them To deceive them it Is