Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-10

| Senator David Turpie of Indian:
nominated Governor Matthews Of thu
state. He spoke as follows:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of tn
Convention:
The choice of candidate for tn
Presidency by the National Demo
cratic convention of one who is to b
the chief magistrate of this countr
for the next official term, Of a sue
cessor to the many illustrious states
men of our political faith who hav
served in that exalted position, s
easily becomes the subject of glowing
zeal and fancy, that the act and dut
and selection are prone to be Obscure'
by the glamor of the theme. Yet w
ought to realize that the result is
plain question of arithmetic dependin,
upon simple count of numbers, an,
that for many other reasons our action
herein should be determined only by tn.
most rigid scrutiny and by the mos
careful calculation.
We ask. then. as practical men. wher,
should this nomination be placed? In
diana has long been known as tn,
arena of the most severe and closely
fought political contests. 1t is q
member OF the great Democratic
phaianx Of the North. including New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut, but
strangely isolated. it has stood alone.
Upon the east and west and upor
the north we have ordinarily hostile
bodies of intense spirit and activity
ana even upon the south the migration
To us across the waters of the Ohio in
a. i..l a.. 8
plexion as only to give aid and com
fort to the enemy. In a state so nearly
balanced that for years there has not
been, in Presidential election, ma
jority either way of 10000 in n total
vote of -four or five hundred thousand
the conditions require that our Defnoc-
racy stand always embattled: while
awaiting victory or defeat, always pre-
pared.
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 progress, what would you
give-what would you not give to
make this state as certain as YOU
own? How and when shall you help
us to send you the message in Novem-
Der next of victory? This is the place:
the time is now to write that mes
sage. You can write that message
today ready for transmission. if your
favor shall shall make the man of oul
choice the nominee of this convention
Survey the field examine its various
positions, throw the search light of in.
spection upon the status of the differ
ent candidates.. you will find that In
diana is the strategic point and pivot
of this conflict. The prestige, the
power. the honor of this nomination
are great. but not too great to be used
as means of assured success.
Let us not be misled by the fervi6
predictions of ver-confidence. by the
contagious and stirring enthusiasm OF
the passing hour. Remember, gentle
men, that the returns of the election
are not yet received, they will not be-
gin to arrive until many months hence
We must overcome an enemy strongly
fortressed against attack, reinforced
by influence. flushed with the shout
OF recent triumph. We may make ar
error which will cost us the who'll
stake. an error irretrievable. The Cd.
portunity for success is here. but ais,
that of defeat. Let every man so act
that he may not have to say hereafter;
"Ah. l had not thought of that" as
has been done more than once before
We may court defeat and disaster. as
a lover woos his bride. by failing t,
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 n ratio a.
shall include and cover all contingen.
cieS. Let us dispose of the aid of theil
prestige of nomination where it will
be most highly appreciated. where il
will be most effective. where it i.
most needed and where it 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 a,
Centre college. Danville in its palmiest
days of yore, from the doors of which
McCreary, Blackburn. Vest. Stevenson
and other men of national distinction
and renown have passed. He belongs
by birth and lineage to the South. The
South has no worthier or more noble son
OF one well known in the history of
our state, Governor and Senator Whit
comb. He commenced life as a farrne,
in one of the most fertile sections O,
the valley of the Wabash. Prosperity
we'll pleased and justly earned. has
waited upon his footsteps Protection
he needed not save that of his pure
heart and stalwart arm. He is now
and always has been farmer. He
has walked for years in the furrow.
He has stepped off the lands. He is
not only nearer, but a doer of the
word:
He that by the pillow would thrive.
Himself must either hold or drive"
Our candidate belongs to the largest.
the most ancient and honorable bust
ness associations of the world. Much
is now said about the business and
business interests of this country. The
business OF country is that vocation
in which the larger number of it's in
habitants are engaged. Agriculture in
the United States employs a greater
of workmen than any other
calling. hardly less than that of all
n