Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-18

ventfOn because IL represents tno ~
namics Of popular government, the man
on the farm and in the city. the COM
mon citizenship Of the country which
works every day in the year and as
sumes the reins of governmental con-
troll now and then on election days.
Let us not readily fall in with the
ing good or high or splendid in the
convention OF great party whether 1t
be republican. democrat or what of the
parties which grow as the years pass
and offer their best thought and as
piration as the platforms upon which
they stand. Grant If we please that
passion often takes the place Of judy
ment, that self interest enters deliber-
atively to usurp the place of right
belonging to the general good, that
prejudice sometimes poses disguided as
conviction. and that personal ambitions
and sordid aims occasionally appear to
predominant: but let us keep the faith
that the people are in the aggregate
true. that the sense of righteousness
underlies and overhanss all and tina,
right must and shall prevail.
The convention which meets today
whatever may have preceded 1t and
wha tever may mar its deliberations
is actually the best political expression
which millions of voters are permitted
under present customs and conditions
to make. Let US remember that, and
remem Der that it is our convention,
"a convention of the people and that
when we deny its elementary decency
we assert ourselves inca pahe OF pop
ular government. 1t is true that the
expression has been curbed ard limited
too much, that processes which seemed
and imperative to degree today. hut
back OF il as il stands are the American
people and the purpose which is crys-
tallizing in primaries and preferentials
that counts one vote against another
at the capitals OF states and detys the
power OF bosses 10 select their own
people. 1t is likely that those who are
watching the convention today saw the
opening of the last convention of us
kind that they stood at the passing
Of the caucus delegate and caucus rule
in republican party organization. Dele
gates TO the next national convention
viii come 70 il as messenger men bear
ing the expression of preferential p-i-
maries, business agents OF the party
,1lajorities.
And that expression is always 10 be
trusted. Individually, perhaps. we are
sordid and selt seeking: in the as-
gregate We are honestly concerned for
the interests Of the country and the
common rights OF men En-11aSs. ne
make mistakes bu, en,nasse we ara
quick and ready 20 acknowledge them
and prone to rectifv them. Mark and
believe IL AS people dealing with
ourselves under representative gov
eminent we mean right and in the long
run always are right.
So it is grea. convention ,Aa, or
ganizes Itself today. Nothing which
may De said or done can controverr
that No national committee however
it is made and whatever il ,o-nnrisas
| can neutra!ize the dominant principle
OF ehe people and the parties which
AFFORD them vehicle for general ex
preston. II is great convention be-
cause i, is OF a mighty nation, dealing
with mighty destinies under the eve
OF millions who will follow it's every
acton with approval or disapproba1ion
and lndorse or destroy its conclusions
as they see fit in the sober Judgment
OF the voting booth.