The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-09-26
THE SAFE PATH
IS WELL BEATEN
ADDRESS OF GEN. r. 3. BROWN,
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR
GOVERNOR, AT THE CAM
PAIGN OPENING.
CAMPAIGN OPENING ADDRESS
False Theories and Political Nos
trums-ShalI We Repeat the Ex-
perlence of tS93-7-GeneraI Wei
fare Promoted by the Present
Administration.

Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men:-The highest civic duty that
can come to a citizen under our form
Of government is the casting of a
ballot at an election held in pursu-
ance of the constitution and the
atutory regulations Hereunder. If
le rightly appreciates the privilege
'"cured to him by the law RESPONSE
Jilities attach which are not lightly
be put aside. In ethics, he is re-
ponsible to his conscience and his
fellows for that act. Alone in the
booth, with his ballot and his pencil,
he makes for veal or woe For days,
weeks, or even months, the issues in
volved have challenged his attention
and earnest thought, on correct lines,
as he believes, has determined e
choice as between party candidates
and the principle for which they
stand. In the school of experience.
guided by the lessons of the past, he
has come to know, if he be lynest
with himself, the force of the old
axiom: "A well-beaten path is a
safe one" He hesitates at seyering
party ties and embracing new and un-
tried policies at the behest of
strange leaders who assume superior
wisdom in affairs, political and gov
ernmental. For a century and a
quarter the experiment, if you Will, of
mans capacity for self-government
has been tested on American soil.
Universal Equality.
At mighty cost, our flag has
been kept at the masthead, in
the very forefront of the adyanc-
ing hosts of universal freedom and
equality before the law. The consti-
tuition, framed by our fathers, pro-
nounced by England's greatest states
man as the most perfect instrument
ever conceived by human minds,
stands today practically as it was
written, and under which new ma
ton came into being. Safeguarding
the rights of all citizens from the
colonial days to now, it has not es-
capped criticism and open attack from
foes within and without, but it is
still a safe refuge for a happy, pro-
gressive and prosperous people.
The Republican party, following a
time-honored and unbroken custom,
has presented Ohio's distinguished
son, William Howard Taft, for re,
election to the presidency. In a con
vention composed of representative
Republicans, honorable men chosen
by the people from the common
wealths Of the Republic, he was
fairly nominated after a contest in
which his opponents had the fullest
and iairest consideration. BY right
he is the standard-bearer of his party,
and stands on a platform broad and
comprehensive sound in principle
and in accord with the glorious his
tory of unmatched progress during q
half century of marvellous growth, in
all that pertains to human uplift and
the dignity of American citizenship.
he represents the highest and best
ideals in popular government. He
came to the discharge Of the duties of
chief executive March 4th 1909.
equipped as were but few of his
predecessors.
An Expert Opinion.
Four years ago this month this was
written of Mr.. Tafts candidacy by
Colonel Roosevelt.
Il have naturally a peculiar inter-
est in the success Of Nj Taft. and in
seeing him backed by a majority in
both houses of congress which would
heartily support his policies. For the
last 10 years, while | have been GOV.
Prnor of New York and president, /
have been thrown into the closest in
tlmacy with him, and he and have
On every essential point stood in
heartiest agreement, shoulder to
shoulder. We have the same views
as to what Is demanded by the ma
tional interest and honor, both within
our own borders and as regards the
relations of this nation with other
nations. There is no fight FOR de-
cency or fair dealing which l have
waRed in which l have not had his
heartest and most active sympathy
and support, and the policies for
which I stand are his policies as we'll
as mine"
A distinguished member of con
gress, in an address in the house OF
representatives a month ago, san.
and | repeat his words as worthy Of
acceptation everywhere at this time.
MIR. Taft was not blind to the diff
ficulties which confronted him when
he succeeded to the presidency. He
stated in his speech of acceptance
that, in his judgment, the chief func-
ton of his administration would be
distinct from and a progressive de-
of that which had been
performed by President Roosevelt. |
He knew-although he could not have |
foreseen its extent nor guessed who
would be their btterest and most I'M
fair exponent-that misrepresenta-
tion end demagogy would assail him:
hut with the sturdy optimism which |
has always characterized him he be- !
lieved. to quote from his most re-
cent utterance, that the great ma
jority of voters will be able to dis
ttnguish between the substance of |
performance and the fustian OF |
promise.
would not deal in harsh terms. |
nor indulge in mere criticism, but | |
dare not turn away from material |
facts in discussion of conditions we |
could only ignore at our peril, To |
you, my fellow citizens of Ohio, In a |
peculiar sense, may an appeal be |
made for that full measure of justice
due the most distinguished Of the
sons of this Buckeye state We would |
be less manly than think we are if |
we hesitated at accepting the chol-
lenge so boldly made throughout the
and,
From Lincoln to Taft, with but one
exception, the elected chief execu-
ives of the republic came from the
'anks Of the Republican party. In
Zach quadrennial term of the chief
nagistracy, during this half century,
With but two exceptions, a Republi-
'an president guided the ship of