Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-10
SPEECH OF SENATOR rURP1B

and great uproar prevailed. He finally
named Mr.. Bryan and sat down.
SPEECH OF SENATOR TURPIE
Placing in Nomination Hon. Claude Mat
thews of Indiana.
Senator David Turpie of Indiana rose
TO nominate Governor Matthews of that
state, but was so indistinctly heard that
cries of louder" were raised and the
chairman explained that the senator's
voice was weak and asked indulgence.
He spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
convention: The choice of a candidate
for the presidency by the national demo-
cratic convention of one who is to be
the chief magistrate of this country for
the next official term, of a successor to
the many illustrious statesmen of our
political faith who have served in that
exalted position, SO easily becomes the
subject of glowing zeal and fancy that
the act and duty and selection are prone
to be obscured by the glamor of the
theme. Yet we ought to realize that the
result is a plain question of arithmetic,
depending upon a simple count of num-
bers and that for many other reasons
our action herein should be determined
only by the most rigid scrutiny and by
the most careful calculation.
we ask, then, as practical men, where
should this nomination be placed? In
diana has long been known as the arena
OF the most severe and closely fought
political contests. It is a member Of the
great democratic phalanX of the north,
including New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut, but strangely isolated, it
has stood alone.
Upon the east and west and upon the
north we have ordinarily hostile bodies of
intense spirit and activity, and even upon
the south the migration to us across the
waters in the Ohio in presidential years
is of such complexion as only to give aid
and comfort to the enemy. In a state so
nearly balanced that for years there has
not been, in a presidential election,
majority either way of 10000 in a total
vote of 100000 or 100000, the conditions re-
quire that our democracy stand always
embattled, whether awaiting victory or
defeat; always prepared.
We submit to the delegations from the
great states Of Tennessee, of Georgia, of
Mississippi, and others more certainly
situated as to their political life and pro-
gress, what would you give, what would
you not give, to make this state as GER
tain as your own? How and when shall
you help us to send you the message in
November next of victory? This Is the
place, the time is now to write that mes
sage. You canwrite that message today
ready for transmission, If your favor
shall make the man of our choice The
nominee of this convention. Survey the
field, examine its various positions,
tiioW Tic SCdICll ilS 1T VI llSpeCllOu upOu
the status of the different candidates.,
you will find that Indiana is the strate-
gic point and pivot of this conflict. The
prestige, the power the honor of this
are great but not too great
to be used as a means of assured sue
cess.
Do Not Be Over Confident.
Let us not be misled by the fefvid pre-
dictions of ovey-confidence, by the con-
tagious and stirring enthusiasm of the
passing hour. Remember, gentlemen,
that the returns of the election are not
yet received. They will not begin to ar
rive until many months hence. We
fortressed against attack, reinforced by
influence, today unnamed, unknown,
flushed with the shout of recent triumph.
We may make an error which shall cost
us the whole stake, an error irretriev-
able. The opportunity for success Is
here, but also that of defeat. Let every
man so act that he may not have to say
hereafter: "Ah, I had not thought of
that" as has been done more than once
before. We may court defeat and dis
aster as lover woos his bride by fail
ing to put the right man In the right
place. Let us, then, consult reason. Let
US calmly weigh probabilities and COM
pute the chances at such a ratio as shall
include and cover all contingencies.
Let us dispose of the aid of their pres
tige of nomination where 1t will be most
highly appreciated, where it will be most
effective, where it is most needed and
where 1t must win.
Our candidate had the good fortune
to be born in one of the old Kentucky
homes, as near to mansions in the skies
as any habitations ON this planet He
was educated and graduated at Centre
college, Danville, in its palmiest days of
yore from whose doors came McCreary,
Blackburn, Vest, Stevenson and other
men of national distinction and renown.
He belongs by birth and lineage to the
south. The south has no worthier or
more noble son. He married early in
life the daughter of one well known in
the history of our state, Governor and
Senator Whitcomb. He commenced life
as farmer in one of the most fertile
sections of the valley of the Wabash
Prosperity, well pleased and justly earn
ed, has waited upon his foot
steps. Protection he needed not
save that of his pure heart
and stalwart arm. He is now and al
for years in the furrow. He has stepped
off the lands. He is not only a hearer
but a doer, of the word,
HE that by the low would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive"
The Most Honorable Calling.
Our candidate belongs to the largest,
the most ancient and honorable business
associations or the world. Much is now
said about the business and business in
terests of this country. The business in
terest of country Is that vocation in
which the larger number of it's inhab-
itants are engaged. Agriculture in the
United States employs greater number
of workmen than any other calling, hard
ly less than that of all others combined
We ask delegates of this convention de-
liberately to consider whether Ii may not
be well worth the while to make a choice
of one who is in the closest natural al
lance with this most numerous and most
influential body of our fellow citizens,
one who has been all his life a member of
this grand fraternity of the field and the
farm.
1t is fifty years since farmer appear
ed at the east front of the capitol to take
the oath of president on Inauguration
day. The Inauguration and service of
Indiana's choice would be reminder of
the earliel the ideal days of this republic,
when, as tradition relates, Jefferson left
his farm at Monticello, travelled on
horseback to the seat of government
without ceremony, took the constitutional
obligation and was indicted into office.
Our candidate is and has been from his