Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-11
PAUL STILLMAN'S REASONS.
IJefferson Bee.l

This is our first offenss., And It IL
precisely for the reason that we love
the republican party in Iowa and her
lofty history and traditions, that we
have broken the habit Of q lifetime
and have stood up In open meeting to
idenounce her unholy prostitution BY
the vets Of both parties In her pri-
maries and in her election.
1t is no light thing to wear the
brand Of irregular or bolter. 1t hurts.
Fear Of this brand, fear Of the re-
publican organization in Iowa-fear.
and fear alone is the thing that is
making hundreds of influential repub-
licans, men we'll known in public life.
who detest this deplorable situation as
heartily as ourselves give 1t the APP
proval Of their silence. The time comes
to every man. however, when q con-
viction gets hold of him in such fashion
that he can not be honest with HIM
self without speaking out, and that
time has come for US.
The friends OF the liquor business
are en- masse for Harding. This Is ad-
mitted. Party lines, so far Is they are
concerned, are down. Does anybody
enemies are favoring republican
candidate for any good purpose? Not
they. They have simply helped the re-
publicans nominate a man whom they
know to be their friend; man who
even in these days Of general moral
awakening and progress. is without
an affirmative opinion on the issue OF
issues in state politics: man whose
few and faltering utterances on the
subject are as sounding brass and
tinkling cymbals. 1t revolts us to see
the republican party-a party Of high
ideals and traditions which was born
for the purpose Of freeing men from
bondage-made the haven and the
rendezvous Of all the foes Of sobrtety
and clean living OF course these in
terests can not come out ipto the open
with candidate OF their own and
win. But they depend upon clean and
reputable republicans, held in place
by party loyalty and party spirit, to
help them elect their friend.
There is no escaping from these
facts. They are true. There is nothing
personal in this matter. Mr.. Harding
has chosen his bed and he must lie
in 1t. We have been willing to let the
past go. We have been willing to for
get that when the Nchance arose In the
legislature to banish from Iowa cry
and from the flower OF Iowa's young
manhood who assemble there at the
state university, the evil influence OF
the open saloon, he was one OF four
republicans in the house to vote and
work against 1t. We have been willing
to turn over q new leaf and begin
afresh from now; but we wanted him
to declare himself on question OF
principle; we wanted something clear,
straightforward and convincing about
the future. We have pleaded for 1t.
Nothing but empty words, evasions,
and meaningless bunk has appeared.
Silence gives consent. The approval
of silence is being given Hardinga
candidacy by great number OF re-
publicans Of recognized prominence
ard worth, who in their hearts believe
his attitude and the whole departyized
wet coalition formin gabout him, Is de-
moralizing and wrong. II these men
should stand up and say In all honesty
and candor what they really think
something would happen. A candidate
no matter how nominated. who be-
comes the object Of such deep seated
and deadly distrust on moral issues a.
to De openly repudiated by his pas
tor, by his church. by his conference
by his bishop, by christian .denomina-
lions everywhere, by many men and
associates of his own party who Know
him best, has no claim upon the for