The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-28
REED FOR CLARK.
Missouri Senator Makes a Great
Speech.

Baltimore, Md, June Ex-senator
Reed, of Missouri, presenting Speaker
Champ Clark S name to the conVen-
ton for the presidential nomination
spoke in part as follows:
I'VE are here, not to nominate a
candidate, but to select president.
Today we shall contend, each against
the other; tomorrow we must be
brothers in a battle for humanity.
ours is a high privilege and SOL
ern duty 1t should be met in a spirit
of exalted patriotism. Every consid-
Grafton must be subordinated to the
great cause of the people. We speak
not only for party, but for nation;
for mankind and for history. We are
about to dissolve the partnership be-
tween monopoly and government
Sixteen years this partnership has
levied tribute under the forms OF law
It has taxed the crust upon the lips
OF hunger. 1t has filched from the
pockets of poverty. Monopoly mas
financed the campaigns of republican
presidents. 1t has been rewarded by
immunity from punishment Tor VIOLA
ton of the criminal statutes. The
people turn to the Democratic party
for relief.
Republican candidates have re-
sorted to every form of false pre-
lenses every trick of demagoSuery
In order to delude the people one OF
these candidates has not hesltated TO
attack the courts of law, ana TO as.
sail the fundamentals OF our govern
menc.
I'VE recognize the truth that all
laws and the constitution itself should
when necessary be amended 10 meet
changed conditions. But we refuse 70
a ssail the structure of our government
or to incorporate intenectuai Hasaf n'7,
and fantastic experiments INTO our
jurisprudence.
Government by Law.
I'VE stand for government py law.
It is for this very reason We Lislsl
that the law against illegal cofnp1nd-
ton must be vigorously enforced IN
der Roosevelt the trusts flour1Shed as
a green bay tree; under rant the Tree
has crown and spread its branches un-
til their shadow covers an tle lshIu
Roosevelt's policies in all their 1uhoa-
mentaIs have been perpetuated ny
Taft. If either is elected, these pom
cies will continue.
''The situation is epic In such
struggle as lies before US give me TOT
a leader no summer soldier or sun
shine patriot Give me no pollt;cal
dilettante, who comes into camp WheH
honors are most ripe to pluck wait
no half-fedged chantlcleer VINO u oi tie
lust beginning to acquire DemocrallG
crow, Let me rather have for genera
him who has suffered the hardsnlps OF
the camp, the tolls of the march' the
dangers of the field; who mas stoou a.
the bloody angle; who mas proven his
mettIe in. the baptism of fire.
Let me tell you of such leader.
He was not born to luxury he sprunS
from that stock which produced tne
men who subdued the west, the people
whose hearts are instinct with patriot
ic love of country and liberty.
1--WE hear much today of progresslVes
The term has perhaps never oeeh
CLEARLY defined. But if you mean by
progressive one who studies condl
lions and recognizing an evil, bravery
seeks for and applies a remedy ther
I assert that this man has record un-
surpassed.
..He does not cling to thing simply
because it is hoary with age. Neither
will he embrace one because 1T is new
He is conservative enough to believe
that nothing should be destroyed mere
" because it has lasted a long time.
He is progressive enough not TO re
iect an idea simply because it is not
covered with the mildew of antiquity
What He Has Done.
..Tventy-four years ago he place@
mon the statute books of his state
law guarding the secrets of the ballot
he advocated the direct primary
system 20 years ago; and applied II
in his congressional district.
eft is 13 years since he contended
for the enactment of the most rigid
corrupt practice act to be found upon
the statute books.
give years ago he advocated the ini-
+iative and referendum in his own
state. He was not, as some others are.
disturbed lest the people should destroy
themselves.
LAS early as 1885 he declared for the
direct election of senator's Five times
has he voted for that measure and
for years in congress has been its dis
tinguished advocate
During all of his long public SER