The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-10-26

fidence born of
have awakened and that there can be
no turning back to the ideas that
were once dominant
Glorious as the future may be- tri-
umphant as the present is, it should
not lead the Democracy Of Illinois to
forget the past. At this time it may
be we'll to stop for a minute and re-
view the events which led to the es-
adjustment of our New Freedom
1t had its birth in Illinois in a con-
vention which was held in Cook coun-
ty % years ago. The question before
this convention was what action the
Cook county delegates to the state
convention were to take in regard to
the candidacy of Cook county Demo
crat for governor.
Altgeld's Memory Dear.
That candidate was John p Altgeld.
Today the name of Altgeld arouses
only one emotion in the breasts of
citizens of Illinois. His memory is
dear to all our people. He is uni
versally recognized as the most far
seeing OF the statesmen Of the last
so years, the man who gave birth
to the ideas which now rule the cOun-
try, the leader who was so far ahead
of his times that We even yet have not
caught up with him,
At the time the convention was
| held, however, the division of opinion
in regard to Altgeld was sharp The
opposition to him was bitter, both in
and out Of the party
While the convention was still hesi-
| tating as to what course to pursue,
| one of the youngest Democratic Off
! Gals. only recently elected to county
office, took the floor He insisted upon
the Endorsement of Altgeld for gov
ernor, and insisted so forcibly that
the other leaders were won over, the
| Endorsement was voted and the way
was paved for the election of the first
Democratic governor since the Civil
war.
Younq Leader Was Sullivan.
The young leader who swayed that
county convention has swayed many
a convention since that time. Just
as % years ago he forced the nominal
ton of Altgeld, two years ago he
forced the nomination of Woodrow
Wilson. To that statement it need hard
ly be added. the man who ignored the
threats Of political determination to
do what he thought was right, was
Roger C. Sullivan. the present candl'
date of the Democratic party Tor
United States senator of Illinois.
, Years have passed since the Cook
county convention of which we have
told was held, but these years
have not served to dim the admiration
which the present leader of the llli-
nois Democracy held for Altgeld That
, admiration has found expression IN
, many ways. A monument stands to-
, dav over the grave OF Illinois great
, est governor largely because OF the
exertions of Mr. Sulliyans thoughtful'
o ness.
Sullivan Mum on His Acts.
/ The story of Mr.. Sullvan's friend,
+ ship for Altgeld was never told
= bv himself. Not one word of the tale
= came from him during his campaign
e throughout Illinois in the fight before
g the primaries. But the friends OIL
S the former governor have made known
s what the candidate for United states
/ senator did for their leader and in
sist upon its being known to the Dem
- ocrats of Illinois.
Z AItgeld himself appreciated the par'
that sullivan played as his friend, II
1901 he did his best to repay SULLIVAN
J who at that time was interested IL
I the selection of John P. Hopkins as
! chairman of the Democratic state com
mittee. Mr. Sullivan asked for Mr.
Altgeld's aid in the fight for the con
troll of the committee and at his re
ouest the former governor sent t
every member of the state committee
7 letter in which he asked them Il
) vote for Hopkins, and Mr.. Hopkins
< was elected.
! The friendship of Sullivan for Alt
( geld did not end with death. 1t il
7 well known that financial troubles
! fastened the end of the great Demo
I cratic leader, and that when he die'
J he left his family poorly provided Tor
4 1t was then that Mr.. Sullivan, witt
J other friends, raised money sufhcien
to assure an annuity to Altgelds wld
! ow, Mr. sullivan contributing sou
) to the fund.