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The Commoner.
7
JULY '8, 1!1
f'V
AN OHIO DEMOCRAT REPLIES TO JOHN R.
McLEAN
The Celina (Ohio) Daily Standard in its issue
of Friday, June 24, prints the following letter:
Editor Standard: I beg leave through the
columns of the Standard, to utter a word of
warning to the democracy of Ohio. I am prompt
ed to this by an editorial that appeared in the
Cincinnati Enquirer yesterday, which assumed
that the, refusal of the democratic convention to
endorse a candidate for United States senator
was intended as a rebuke, to Mr. Bryan. ,. .
I was the one who, a few wqoks ago, drafted .
the resolution adopted by. our county central,
committee, endorsing Governor- Harmon's. d- -ministration,.
and, urging upon. the democracy of
the 'state and nation the wisdom of nominating
him for president in 1912, so that I can not be
charged' with any disloyalty to Governor Har- ,
mon. My warning to these interested in Har
mon's re-election as governor, and nomination
and election to the presidency, and incidentally .
to Governor Harmon is that the democracy of
Ohio be not given the impression that the En
quirer's insult to Bryan and his friends meets
the approval of Harmon and his friends. The
Enquirer long since declared its withdrawal
from the democratic party (all of which seemed
unnecessary, in view of its past policy) so that
the Enquirer is not a safe monitor for the de
mocracy, but Bryan's friends in Ohio have not
withdrawn from the party ; they are democrats
who, like "Mr. Bryaii himself, are earnestly and
unselfishly fighting to re-establish in this coun
try "govern- lent of the people, by the people
and for the people." The convention at Day
ton, in deference to Governor Harmon's, ex
pressed wish, voted down the resolution to en
dorse a senatorial candidate, but not with any
intention of rebuking Bryan, for if the ma
jority Qf those who voted down the resolution
were consulted it would probably be foiind that
in their private opinion the people ought to
know before voting for a candidate for the legis
lature who lie would support for United States
senator if elected. 'The 'people arehecoming
weary of the'policy of' electing representatives
on the .promise of good behavior ' They arO
begiiihingito. se.e the wisdom of kndwih'g in ad-'
vancewhether, if elected, they 'will sjtand'by'the
trusts, and1' others- who fatten 'on graft; or "will'
give their untrammeled support to a' candidate
who will fight the people's battle ably and fear
lessly. Mr. Bryan insists on endorsing candi
dates for senator because, by knowing in ad
vance who their candidate for senator shall be,
the people can require a pledge of their repre
sentative to support him.
But recurring to the 'Enquirer's assumption
that Bryan was rebuked. For what was he re
buked, and why should he be rebuked? He
insisted on nothing more than has been con
sidered wise in other states by democratic con
ventions. This is but one of the methods urged
by democrats in carrying irito effect the plan of
electing United States senators by direct vote
of the people. Bryan was a pioneer in the ad
vocacy of the election of United States senators
by popular vote. Does not the overwhelming
majority of both parties strenuously demand
this?' Then why rebuke" Him for insisting that
that the people's deniands bear fruit? He was
a pioneer in demanding railroad regulation,, a
curbing of the trusts, etc:, and purification ' of.
the ballot. Is it for this' he is to be rebuked?
In fact he advocated these reform measures long
before Roosevelt, who wa's grown popular by,
at least pretending to want them enforced, had
ever been heard, to titter a word about them.
Is it for this that th Enquirer would have the
democracy rebuke him? I must not encroach
further on your valuable space further than to
say in conclusion, that neither democrats nor re
publicans can point to a Single reform measure
that Roosevelt has' been lauded for carrying into
effect; that was not first advocated by Bryan, and
is still advocated by Bryan. Is Bryan 'to be
rebuked' because he" was a pioneer" in advocating
the measures that ' the people have discovered
is good for them, and fyas' always consistently
and fearlessly adhered to ' his ' honest opinions" '
on these matters? ' '
No, Bryan was not rebuked by the Dayton con
vention. Not only the 'democracy' of Ohio and ,
of the nation, but a large part of the republican
party, and in fact of all parties who love an
honest, fearless man, resent such inference. I
believe that Governor 'Harmon would 'resent it,"
and 'thousands of his friend's, who see in Bryan
the embodiment of fearless' honesty and unques
tioned patriotism will resen.t it.'.. . ", .,'
Let the democracy of Oliip be united and har
monious and Harmop' can"be re-elected gover
nor, and advanced to the presidency, all of which
the great majority of the people undoubtedly
devoutly hope for, and all of which may bo
accomplished without detracting from the opin
ion that Mr. Bryan is among the greatest states
men this nation has produced in the last hun
dred years. p. E. KENNEY.
TRIBUTE TO NEWTON I). RAKER
Newton D. Baker of Cleveland, Ohio, led the
fight in the Ohiov democratic state convention
for the nomination of a. candidate for United
States senator The Dayton (Ohio) Journal pays
to Mr. Baker a high tribute. From the Jour
nal's, editorial the following extracts are takon:
On the. question of senatorial endorsement for
which he fought and lost little need be said at
this time. That the party broke faith with the
people must be set down to its shame; but to
that party's credit be it said that all hope is not
fled from it, no matter how much it may bo now
obscured. Men like Newton D. Baker do not .
live for pelf rather than principle; they do not
know when to give up, and thoy never will
give up.
Principles like those which Mr. Baker stands
for. never die.
They may be dragged down into the muck by
those elements that live and delve in the muck
for their political life, but they are eternal.
Think a moment, if you please, at what was
happening on the floor of the convention yester
day. With oily unction, J. Sprigg McMahon who,
by the way, happens to live- in this city, was
nailing to the cross the only principle, the only
Faith, the only Truth which the democracy of
Ohio has stood for. Lawyer-like, he marshaled
his points and made a fabric which he flaunted
in the faces of the democrats on that convention
floor, and called upon them to accept it as their
standard.
It was of no matter that he was breaking for
his party that party's pledge to the people; it
was of no moment that he was embarrassing
the governor who later was to, be shamed by a
riot under his. nose as ,he sat on the stage; it
was of no, consequen.cp-rrr.to b-imr-rrthat .democ
racy was to: be .forced' i Into-- submission to
-bossism. ,.(.. ....
He Xelt strong, no doubt, in the strength of
his followers; principles .were nothing; party
was all.
It took a man like Mr. Baker to brave the
wrath of the bosses as Mr. Baker did. But
then, what does an honest man care for Inyidy
as long as it comes from the source that op
position to Mr. Baker's principles came from?
Young men must not be schooled to believe
that such a perversion of politics is public ser
vice. They should be taught what life's bitter
experience later must teach them, that sincerity
and truth are better their portion in defeat than
insincerity and untruth risen to victory.
They must be taught to be patient, as Mr.
Baker is patient. In his chivalrous yielding to
his opponent Mr. Baker himself remarked that
for many years he had been opposing the same
tactics and frequently the same sponsors for
these inverted principles; yet, he said, he had
not grown discouraged; he had 'not lost hope; he
does not believe that what is defeated today
can always remain defeated.
The" history of all political parties bears out
these truths.
The experience of life vindicates the same
principles that the experience of politics vindi
cates'. Many a oHce-Sorrowing heart now glad,
mp!ny a once-bowed head now raised, attests
that it is often better to taste of the gall of de
feat than to wear a crown.
Mr.r Baker could not smile in the faces of
those 'who Wished him ill could not maintain
the splendid courage for his principles that he
did unless he was; upheld by something' stronger
than sordid 'aims and purposes.
What1 'supported hihi'then and what will sup
port him throughout his fight for the right is
faith. ! r .
' We'-hope siiic'erely that the younger men who
saw "howled down and later made the victim
of such a splendid defeat will realize the lesson
that his courage revealed. We hope that by
Mr. Baker's course more democrats, more
younger democrats, will be nerved to do Jike
wise. Mr. Baker has been heard from before,
and he will be) .heard from again long after
his present fops.lw.ijl have been, swept down life's
stream into oblivion.
We pity, topj Jthe, splendid . legal minds that
' see Mr. Baker's'.. case at an inverted angle. It
may be that these men are sincere in their way;
wo at least hope somo of them aro alnccro, for
some, we know, are not sincere never wore.
It Is too bad to see citizens in political life
who promlso by their equipment such splendid
service to their party and to their state, leading
trustful followers Into the slough, while the
truo faith-keepers perish on the straight road.
There is no use moralizing on politics, some
will tell you. Calloused souls have thoy who
can view tho advance of a great state under
such sponsorship without a tremor.
The barefoot boy in tho corn-furrow chafes at
his lot. The pamporcd youth of fortune IB en
vious of thQ barofoot boy. Neither knows the
happiness of the other; because both aro only ,
human and can not work out their own des
tinies. Later on, perhaps, tho humbler gains In
faith more than tho other gains in pelf. And his
battle of life Is won.
So now with, those who stand at this moment ,
of democracy' shamo in defeat with thoo who,
perhaps, may feel bitterly that it "didn't pay" ,
to fight a good fight and to keep tho faith they
should rend the handwriting on the wall.
Another Daniel, in another age, will come to
tho judgment as surely as right Is right and
wrong is not right.
Perhaps there may bo a temptation now to
depart from the losing contest, though It is the .
right contest.
To the credit of one man be it said he dared
to stand against them all. To the credit of
Cuyahoga county's democracy be It said, they
truly were unterrlfied. Those other counties
which had sent men to this convention men
who were not afraid to break the gag that hound
them speechless, have kindled a small blaze of
hope that yet may quicken into flame. But not
yet not this year. Perhaps later on.
The same bosses that forced justice to bend
the knee invited attention of the nation at large "
to view their presidential candidate. Bettor far '
the request were not made. Tho nation is not
interested in its democratic presidential aspir
ants, not yet. The nation, however, was watch
ing Ohio democracy yesterday to gee it it would
. keep the faith.
It failed. The nation will draw its own esti
mates of its presidential timber on the plans
and specifications of tho sincerity of Ohio de
mocracy. Dayton (Ohio) Journal.
LOOK THIS OVER
George H. Locey of Southern Pines, North
Carolina, writes for the New York World, the
following interesting statement;
"Statistics prove annual Increase in our na
tional wealth does not exceed four per cent per
annum. Total national wealth, 1910, $128.
000,000,000; increase in national wealth for
that year, $5,120,000,000; government expendi
tures for that year, $1,083,859,098. Nearly
one-fourth of the entire increase in our national
wealth! What aro you going to do about It?
It is time to stop and ponder long and well."
LAUGH, LITTLE FELLOW
Laugh, little fellow, laugh and sing
And just be glad for everything!
Be glad for morning and for night,
For sun and stars that laugh with light,
For trees that chuckle In the breeze,
For singing birds and humming bees
Be one with them and laugh along
And weave your gladness in your song.
Let nothing but the twinkle-tears
Como to your eyes these happy years,
When you aro free of task and toll ;
And all the frets that come to spoil
The hours of folks whode feet have paced
The road along which all must liaste
Laugh, little fellow, for it drives
The shadows out of other lives.
Go romping care free as you will
Across tho meadow, up the hill,
And. shout your message far away
For all the world to join your play.
This Is the time for laughter; now,
When time has not set on your brow
The finger prints that come with care
And leave abiding wrinkles there.
Laugh, little fellow, laugh and sing
And coax the joy from everything;
Take gladness at its fullest worth
And make each hour an hour of mirth,
So that when on the downward slope
Of life the radiant sky of hope
Will bend, above you all the way
And make you happy, as today.
Chicago Evening Post.
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