The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-06-28
Champ Clark Named By Senator Reed the
Only Democrat Who Can Lead the
Party to Victory.
OTHERS ARE MENTIONED AS WINNERS
Session Of Oratory and Word Pictures When the
Various Candidates Were Named Before
the Convention.


i, This man sympathizes with the
common people. He recognizes the
nobility OF labor His feet have felt
the sharp stones OF adversely. He
loves the common people because he
is of the common people. He has
seen them labor at their tasks, and
has bent his own back in toll. He
looks his fellowmen in the eyes from
the level You do not need to strain
your neck to see him. He has never
ceased TO love the common man; he
has never been ashamed of his early
poverty.
We hear much today of progress
sives. The term has perhaps never
been clearly defined. But If you mean
by a progressive one who studies
conditions, and. recognizing an evil,
bravely seeks for and applies a rem
edy. then assert that this man has a
record unsurpassed.
He does not cling to ti.ing simp-
! ly because it is hoary with age. Meth
er will he embrace one because 1t is
new. He Is conservative enough to
believe that something should not be
destroyed because it has lasted long
time. He is progressive enough to
not reject an idea simply if it is not
covered with the mildew of antiquity.
He believes that all changes de-
mand sober consideration, but he rec
] ognizes that Gu ging conditions de-
mand changes in laws and that wise
| craftsmanship embraces the idea of
steady and consistent progression.
challenge attention to his record,
when other men beheld the rising
power of financial combination, but
stood inactive and appalled,, his clear
| vision not only saw the danger, but
applied the remedy. He drew the
first and most stringent antitrust
statute ever enacted in the United
States. 1t has stood the test OF all
! the courts and become the model for
other states to follow.
| Twenty-four years ago he placed
upon the statute books OF his state 2
lav guarding the secrets OF the ballot
He advocated the direct primary
system twenty years ago and install
ed 1t in his congressional district.
1t is thirteen years since he con-
tended for the enactment of most
rigid corrupt practice act to be found
upon the statute books.
Five years ago he advocated the
Initiative and referendum In his own
state. He is not as some others are,
disturbed lest the people destroy
themselves.
AS early as 1853 he declared for
the direct election OF senators. Five
times he has voted for that measure.
and for years in congress has been its
distinguished advocate.
During all Of his long house sery-
ice he has been one Of the most val
liant champions Of tariff reform.
Il place before you this record
made not when lust Of office lures.
but written in the story of the years
and craven upon the public statutes
OF the country; and | challenge com
parison.
1T is not record of protestat.on
and promises, of faith without wo-ks.
but 1t is record of performance. of
faith crystallized into acts.
Forty years ago, he cast his first
ballot. He has voted the democratic
ticket ever since and voted II
straight.
In the great campaign of 1896.
when desertion thinned our ranks and
disaster engulfed our hopes, he helped
to raise our banner on the stricken
fields and stood with those who cried
courage, courage, justice is immor-
tai, courage, soldiers of the democracy
grid up your loins for battles yet to
GOMEZ
Il saw him then, grim, determined
undismayed. heard his clarion voice
ring forth without single note Of
fea;
! saw him upon other fields. when
days We're dark and the long years
heaping disaster upon disaster
brought despair TO many a stout and
/ loyal heart; and yet there does not
I'VE a man who ever saw him quit his
post nor wayer in the fight
WHAT wonder that party leader
snip came and with it party victory?
/ After the election of 1908. tbe |
democratic congressman selected tho
man whom shall name, for minority |
leader. In four years of time The
new leader wrought marvellous
changes. The long grip of Cannon
was broken 1t was the beginning. AZ. |
{. ter that, the deluge. a.
With the authority to command
he never issued an order. He nra
ferred counsel to DEGREES. He caiIad
his associates together, and listened |