The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-07-14
PEOPLE NOW THINK FOR THEM
SELVES.

There was time-sometime ago
when the people of the United
States had other people think for
them-when they thought that this
was necessary-for they did not
read much, neither did they hear
much, for the dissemination OF in
formation was scanty at that time;
but that is all past now. There is no
better informed race of people now
on this earth than the American peo-
pie and they now do their own think
ing-and they generally think right
and act accordingly. They all feel
that no man, though he be the presi-
dent of the United States and leader
of his party, can turn and say to
those who have worked unselfiShly
and Loyalty to make him great, You
must forever agree with me, and on
all questions, or l will crush and
humiliate and disgrace YOU
In the old days the peoples opin-
ions were handed down to them from
the high places, but in these days the
people form their own opinions, in
accordance with their own judgment
and consciences. Leaders become
great and are loved and trusted in
keeping with the manner in which
they voice and fight for the policies
and principles in which the people
believe.
In this country it is from the peo-
pie that power comes. Some very
great men, who from this source
have gained power, find it easy to
forget whence their greatness came.
and to fancy that it is inherent in
them. They forget that it is the peo-
pie who gives commands. Forgetting,
they essay to command the people,
and some of them even go so far
as to attack with abuse and epithet
the people who refuse to obey their
orders.
This is what Mr.. Taft has been
doing with the insurgents and in
surgency He has given orders. He
has presumed to say to senator's and
representatives do thus and so"
Their refusal has been followed by a
determination on his part to read
them out of the party, and to lend
the force of the administration to de-
feat them for denomination and re-
election, notably in the case of Sena-
tor LaFollette.
At one time in the history of this
great republic there was another
arbitrary and dictatorial president
and according to history there was
at that time great insurgent. This
president was James Buchanan and
the insurgent was Stephen A Doug
las. History further tells US that on
March %, 1858, Senator Douglas
made a speech in the senate in which
he said:
Sir, whenever the time comes that
"a senator is to account to the execu-
tive and not to his state, whom does
he represent? If the will of my state
lis one way and the will of the presi-
edent is the other, am l to be told that
must obey the executive and betray
my state, or else be branded as a
traitor to the party and hunted down
by all those that share the patronage
of the government? l should like to
know what is the use of congresses;
what is the use of senate and houses
aor representatives, when their high
sest duty is to obey the executive in
disregard to the wishes, rights and
honor of their constituents? What
despotism on earth would equal to
this if you establish the doctrine
that the executive has right to COM
mand the votes. the consciences, the
judgment of senators and represent
atives, instead of their constituents?
$ 1t is said that dispense
ton is granted from the fountain of
all power for REBELLION upon all sub
jects but one. The president says, in
effect, do as you please upon all |
subjects but one On what principle
is it that we must not judge for our
selves on this measure and may on
everything else? IS Surely you
do not expect the support of those
whom you brand as renegades? |
Would it not be we'll to allow all !
free men freedom of thought. free
dom of speech and freedom of ac-
ton? Would it not be we'll to allow
each senator and representative to
vote according to his judgment and
perform his duty according to his
own sense of his obligation to him
self. to his state and to his God?
1t might be well in passing to say
that the state which Douglas served
so well and faithfully, although since
his time has most of it adhered to a
different party faith, has erected to
his memory one of the noblest monu-
ments in the world. Mr.. Taft may re-
fleet upon the fact that in the west
and northwest, where insurgency
was once democratic and is not re-
publican, there is not anywhere
public memorial, great or SMALL of
James Buchanan.
The spirit that spoke in Stephen
A. Douglas in 1858 is the spirit that
today is rife among men of all par
lies in all states. Neither republicans
nor democrats are taking orders.
They are thinking for themselves.
The sooner Mr.. Taft and the faith
full little group of the "Old Guard "
that surround him learn this truth,
and govern their actions accordingly,
the better it will be for them, for
their party and for their country
y st. Joe Observer.
1t cost a republican congressional
candidate $40,698.S3 to secure his
nomination at the recent primary
al in 10 ic