The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-09-11

our distinguished visitor or to treat him
unfairly, we are forced to the conclusion
that he was disappointing to many of his
hearers. The rock-ribbed Democrats,
who would accept anything under that
name, would naturally approve of every
word he uttered. But disinterested
listener said that there was nothing in
Mr.. Bryan's utterances that would in
fluence any one whose convictions had
| led them to take an opposite view. A
veteran of the Civil War said that after
hearing what Mr.. Bryan had to say he
felt he was better Republican than be-
fore; that he did not like seeing the men
he had fought in complete control of all
branches of the National Government;
and he realized that the Underwood Will
son tariff bill seriously menaced the
prosperity of Maine, and was sure to
bring about a season of hard times.
Secretary Bryan's ignoring the tariff
question, the most vital issue of the
campaign in this district, was generally
remarked, and he made no reference to
local conditions. His speech was main
ly defence, or rather an eulogy, of the
Wilson administration. He said that the
Progressives insist that they are not
Democrats, but that they were in spots,
but lack courage to proclaim them
selves as such When he said that the
Democratic party was the party of the
people, the common people, and the Re-
publican party the party of the aristo-
Gratis, he descended to pure demagogism.
When man who has publicly declared
that he cannot live on the S12,0 a year
he is receiving from the government, ad-
dresses an audience made up of people
to whom one year of his income would |
mean affiuence, such talk is manifestly
insincere, as it is untrue. Mayor Hanson
stated the case fairly in his speech that
evening when he said that there were
good men and rascas in both parties.
After all it is questionable whether
campaign speaking is effective in inf1u
encing voters; and in some instances 1t
has been adverse to the cause advocated.
1t is great mistake to send any but
first-cass speakers to address country
audiences. The average of intelligence
is higher in the country than in the cities.
The country people are we'll informed on
the issues of the day. They read the
newspapers. and in the Grange they have |
a fnr discussion int 90
of opinion. At the recent Republican
conference in this city when the matter
of campaign speakers came up repre-
sentatives from several of the towns |
said "send US good speakers or don't /
send any" We have heard of q case in |
point in the campaign just closed. A
meeting in certain town was addressed |
by man of ability and experience, who
commands attention everywhere and who |
can be depended upon to say the right
thing in the right way at the right time.
1t was felt that his speech had done
good. Then another man was sent to
the town, whose inconsiderate talk and
the telling of story which reflected
upon the birth or ancestry of many of
his hearers undd all that had been
gained by the former speech, if it did
not 60 beyond that and work positive in
jury. The floating vote of the cities
may be influenced by The demagogue, the
glib talker, but the sturdy, intelligent
men Of the country are not so easily .
fooled and measure cheap talk from
cheap men at its true value.