San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-30
l!earst newspapers the appeal h
|80de to tho voters Of Illinois.
By FRANK L. SMITH

4publican Nominee for United States
- Senator From Illinois.)
In my opening statement in the
eampaign, represented two major is
disposition to the World Court
Ind farm relief.
Shortly after / began the speaking
campaign in the contest with Senator
/ Mckinley, I had a meeting in the
PURELY rural community. The audience
uas made up almost wholly of real
dirt farmers" They arc the type of
Republican in Illinois who always are
sound on fundamental American prin-
cip1es.
1t was an unusually fine audience.
too They were men and women of 0
high degree of intelligence. devoted
the first part Of my argument to the
agricultural situation. For many years
my principal business dealings have
been with the farmers of Illinois.
They are convinced. think, thar
there is nothing possible that i would
not do to better their condition, for
that would aid US both.
i assumed they wanted to know
first my stand on farm relief. So ]
talked at some length on the subject.
They remained quiet throughout and,
while pursuing the argument, i was
puzzled as to whether they were quiet
because my contention was very inter-
esting or was not registering at all.
WHAT NOTE SAID.
The chairman of the meeting. one
Of the best farmers in Illinois. Slipped
Ine note. Between the next few SEN
fences ] managed to decipher the
gords. 1t read:
KNOCK he'll out Of the World
Court"
don't suppose ! knocked all of
that ingredient out Of the European
tribunal. but j did my best, for the
first mention of the court, which was
against it, evoked an outburst that
put me and my audience on intimate
and friendly terms at once.
When we left the village ] knew
what the people were thinking about.
There were weeks Of the grind ahead
and the job had TO be done according
- customary standards, but at no
time was there a doubt rs TO what
was in the public mind. From that
day believed would win.
-SENATE MADE A MISTAKE"
Here was an audience Of farmers.
sorely burdened by the depression of
their industry. i knew exactly how
rhey felt on the farm issue. i knew
lbey had a just grievance. The nat
nrsi superstition was that what they
were most interested in was the pros
pecf, il any. for relief through legis-
hton. Yet they remained passive dur
ing my entire argument on the one
sssge which directly affected their poe
textbooks. bat when / mentioned the
Xorld Court--an issue that went to
flt roots of American institutions
they made the rafters shake.
In eFery meeting Of the campaign,
but in the state where farmers pre-
Nominated, in the cities and every
wkcre. there were occurrences Of the
<pisode IN the first farmer meeting.
Aud that, take it. is Illinois mes
age 10 the managers Of the Republi-
tnn party In the United States.
The Republican party always has
srr1ed this nation well. In every crisis
~ nor1y has stood on the side Of
xn1rlcaa principles and American
|1<aIs. A. soon as the leaders of the
&nrfs have esccrfHined the will of the
ma jcr,,f they have been quick to re-
11,111 10 that sentiment and to make
Y tb< guiding course In national az
a. not question mems motives or
frip. ] - believe now, as ] be-