The Falls City tribune., 1910-08-05
Speech or c. II. ALDRICH
PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR TALKS.
Makes Ringing Speech at Republl-
cen State Convention Good
Campaign Document.

There werel many speeches in th,
republican state convention, but non'
made the decided hit like that of G
H. Aldrieh, one of the candidates fol
governor. II was delivered before the
platform committee reported. and con
tanned no straddling, halting phrases
1t was straight out for county option
and for other progressive Ideas, and
was delivered in strong, clear voice
that electrified the two thousand peo
pie who We're in the auditorium. Mr.
Aldrich said
The man from Gallilee one said 81
have not come TO destroy, but ia
fulfill That statement is at once
the philosophy and logic of radical.
ism The Savior was charged with
being radical destructionist, OF
changing the order of things, of tear.
ing down old institutions and doing
away with ancient customs
Conservatism said you are destroy.
ing our ancient faith. You are lead
ing the people away. You are killing
our business. And for. this they cru
Gifted Him.
1t is true that He insurged That
He destroyed and tore down That
He changed the order of things. But
He tore down only that which ought
to have been torn down. He destroy
ed only that which ought to have
been destroyed. He only changed the
things which needed new and better
things in their stead In short, for
everything He tore down He builded
something better. The phrase then.
(" "Progressiyeness without destruction
is q meaningless platitude. Progress
means development both by transition
and destruction. Much of the social
ed conservatism means supinely sit
ting down and carping and quarrel
ing with every suggestion for Inn
provement without the ability to do
anything Conservatism stands for
an old order of things, cherishes the
past and kicks at every advancement
and every change. This Is why some
people make such good democrats.
Radicalism in Its best sense always
builds where it destroys In civil
government it wages war for better
laws, better customs and better in
stitutions. 1t struggles to preserve
and broaden every mans opportunity
1T breaks down every barrier and
keeps open and unobstructed the path
way to individual opportunity Radi-
calism is moral earnestness I'm action.
1t is buoyancy, enthusiasm, energy,
and patriotism blended and harmon.
lied with cold intellect A true lead
er In such cause Is conservative
champion of radical principles. OF
such was Abraham Lincoln and Theo-
dore Roosevelt. Matchless men, each
with a matchless cause. Each at one
time the leader of the matchless, peer
less republican party.
That party Is the radical political
organization of representative gov.
ernment in this country. 1t destroys,
but it builds. 1t tears down, but
constructs. 1t killed slavery and Sc
cession and over their ruins has
builded a monument that is an i'm
perial federation of union and liberty
an ideal republic.
A Real Fighting Force.
For the last fifty years the one ag-
gressive and progressive fighting
force in American political life has
been and is the republican party 1t
1t is radical, but conservative in its
radicalism, while it is aggressive and
does not hesitate to assume new res.
possibilities and advocate new things
and apply new remedies. yet it is
rarely ever experimental Because
it makes sane and reasonable appli-
cations of old and tried principles to
new conditions. In short, the republi
can party, and its leaders, are never
swept from their moorings by the
hysteria of some transient wave OF
public opinion. No better illustration
of this is found than in the instance
of President Taft pushing his line OF
action like General Grant of old
fighting it out on certain lines IL II
takes all summer The citadels o1
Taft opposition fell, and our presi
dent came forth bearing aloft the ban
ner of victory for the nations un
counted millions in the shape o
the railroad bill, postal savings bank
statehood bills and most important o
all, a traffic commission act. Tha
congress certainly finished like 1
bunch of thoroughbreds.
The leadership Of the republical
party, as rule, unerringiy interpret