“Such a man is hard to find in this age of commercialism which has all but quenched the spark of true patriotism in the hearts of the people.  I have sought for the ideal leader in all the States and was on the point of giving up the quest in despair when I suddenly came upon him.  Once I determined that the man had been found, I set about learning his record.  It appears that he is the product of evolution.  From the servant of the Plutocrats he has come to be their most powerful adversary.  In him the people will recognize the long-looked-for deliverer.”

Here Nevins pauses for a moment to let his words sink into the mind of his interested listener.

“Mr. Trueman,” he resumes, “I have decided that you are the man to lead the people out of their bondage.”

“I certainly feel complimented at your estimate of my integrity,” Trueman replies, “but you greatly overestimate my ability and the hold which I have upon the people.

“It was by the merest chance that I was elected to the position of delegate to the conference.  I have really little influence with the men of my own State.  This you must know if you have made a careful investigation.”

“I know why you are not the recipient of the full support of the men of Pennsylvania.  They cannot conceive of a man changing his views so thoroughly as you have.  But this lack of perception they will overcome.

“I want you to assure me that you will become the leader of the Independence Party.  If you do this I, in turn, will assure you of the nomination for the Presidency.

“That I am not speaking of impossibilities you will be able to understand when I show you the proof of the power I hold to elect the man I decide upon.

“If I am not mistaken, you are opposed to violence as a means of rectifying the social conditions of the people of this country.”

“It has been my purpose to defeat every proposition that advised force,” comes the quick response.  “I am too vividly acquainted with the horrid results that follow an appeal to force.

“My hope is that the people will regain their rights by the proper exercise of the ballot.

“If they discard their all-powerful weapon to take up the sword or the torch, the end must be the destruction of popular government.”

“Were you in the position of the chief executive you would follow this view?  You would be as determined in suppressing violence as you were in preventing crime of any other sort?  Your gratitude to the people for electing you would not blind you to your duty in preventing them from instituting a reign of anarchy?  I am correct in this supposition?”

Nevins looks Trueman in the eyes with a glance that seems intent on reading his inmost thoughts.

“I should do my full duty under the constitution,” Trueman declares emphatically.

“But, really,” he adds, “I cannot appreciate this situation.  It is inexplicable why you should interest yourself in my behalf to the extent of seeking to bring about my nomination for the Presidency.”