The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-30

of making you understand how we. OF
the rank and file, think and feel about
/ things political that address you this
evening.
We want you to understand that we
of the rank and file were not response
BILE for this split in the party. This has
not been our fight, it has been the fight
of our party leaders. We were con-
tented. God All Mighty had sent the
rain and the blessed sunshine. Our har-
vests were bountifuI. We received more
for the fruits of our labor than we had
the aaffirs Of government were better
administered than ever before. Indeed,
we thought the mere fact that the Re-
publican party was in control would
insure us honest, efficient administra-
ton Imagine our surprise-and let me
add our disgust-when We found our
party split into factions, and the lead
ers of one faction gouging at the eyes
of the leaders of the other faction
We have in our party man, very
portly as to person, very genial as to
smile and judicial as to his judgment.
He holds the highest office within the
gift of the American people. Imagine
our fe.hng when we hear him called
every name in the catalogue, from
"driveling IDIOT to "red-handed anar-
chist" We of The rank and file think
his position, his honesty, and his steri-
ing ability entitle him to our respect
We have in our party another man.
red as to hair, pharisaical in his general
attitude, and severe as to his Judg-
ments. He holds the highest office
within the gift of the people Of Kan
sas. We have heard him called every
name from booze peddler" to that of
an ossi6ed undertaken. We Of the rank
and file, my friends, think his position,
his honesty and his earnestness OF p1r-
pose entitle him to our consideration
Eustace Smith-Young Republicans.
In speaking of the young Repubh-
can, speak, in a sense, of every Re-
publican, for the spirit of the party
has always been essentially that of
perennial and eternal youth. Time and
again 1t has arisen, Phoenix-like, from
its own ashes and stood forth re-
created and rejuvenated, the party OF
construction and progress with the
battleword, Excelsior blazOned on
its standard. But in a more recon-
Stricted sense know that stand here
as the representative of the younger
men, many of whom are for the flrSt
time to enroll themselves in the ranks
of their party, theirs by inheritance,
tradition and belief, and the greatest
of thse is belief for did he not believe
firmly and unalterably in the purpose
and destiny of his party, the soung
Republican would little linger nor long
tarry in our midst. The message that
he asks me to deliver tonight is one
of loyalty, loyalty and a little OF pro-
test He has heard the traditions or
its battles and it's VICTORIES; its trials
and defeats, from the old men around
the fireside; he has heard its battle
hymns and it's war cries from his
fathers lips, and he has thrilled at
the thought that some day he, too, |
might battle in its ranks and be led
against it's foe.
But where are our ancient enemies, |
the foes of yester-year? Not gone, but J
forgotten; forgotten in the turmoil of
internecine strife. And the young
Republican has waited in his tent for
the call to rally and has heard only
the harsh cries of brother against +,
brother. He has not heard the call of
the Republican party in her anguish
but the rally yell to a hybrid standard /
He has seen the name of Republican (
deemed insufficient and qualified by
adjectives that he wot not of. He has
seen his leaders vote with the enemy;
and friend knife friend, while hourly
nearer and nearer can he hear the
war drums of the enemy. They are
growing holder and masquerading UNI
der Republican sheepskins, we find
the Democratic wolves within the fold,
snarling over the prizes our own care
lessness has lost.