Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-19
SENATOR THURsToN's SPEECH
Seconding the Nomination of Mckinley
Says This Is the Peoples Year.


Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Con-
vention:
This is the year of the people. They
are conscious of their power; they are
tenacious of their rights; they are SUI
preme in this convention; they are GER
tain of victory now in November
They have framed the issue in this
campaign. What is it? Money? Yes,
money! Not that which is coined for
the mine owner at the mint or clipped
by the coupon cutter from the bond, but
that which is created by American mus
Gle on the farms and in the factories.
The western mountains clamor for silver
and the eastern seashore cries for gold,
but the millions ask for work-an oppor-
tunity to labor and to live
The prosperity of a nation is in the
employment of it's people, and, thank
God, the electors of the United States
know this great economic truth at last.
The republican party does not stand for
Nevada or New York alone but for both;
not for one state, but for all. Its plat
form is as broad as the land, as national
as the flag. Republicans are definitely
committed to sound currency, but they
believe that In a government of the peo-
pie the welfare of men is paramount to
the interests of money. Their shibboleth
for this campaign is protection" From
the vantage ground OF their own Selec-
ton they cannot be stampeded by Wall
street panicS or free coinage cyclones.
Reports of International complications
and rumors of war pass them lightly by;
they know that the real enemy of Ameri-
can prosperity is free trade, and the best
coast defense Is a protective tariff. They
do not fear the warlike preparatio of
Europe, but they do fear its cheap manu-
features. Their real danger is not from
foreign navies carrying guns, but from
foreign fleets bringing erpods
This is the year of the people. They
have risen in their might. From ocean to
| ocean, from lake to gulf, they are united
as never before. We know their wishes,
and are here to register their will. They
must not be cheated OF their choice.
They know the man best qualified and
equipped to fight their battles and to
win their victories. His name is In every
heart on every tongue. His nomina ton
is certain, his election sure His candi-
dacy will sweep the country as a prairie
is swept by fire. This Is the year of the
people. In their name, by their author
ity, second the nomination of their great
champion, William Mckinley. Not as q
favorite son of any state, but as the fa-
vorite son of the United States. Not as
a concession to Ohio, but as an added
honor to the nation.
When this country called to arms he
took into his boyish hands a musket and
followed the flag, bravely barring his
I
might float serenely in the union sky
For quarter of a century he has stood
in the fierce light of public place, and his
robes of office are as spoilers as the
driven snow. He has cherished no
higher ambition than the horror of his
country and the welfare of the plain peo-
pie. Steadfastly courageously, victori-
ously and with tongue of fire he has
pleaded their cause. His labor, ability
and perseverance have enriched the stat
~.
in their behalf. All his contributions to
the masterpieces of American oratory are
the outpourings of a pure heart and a
patriotic purpose. His God-given powers
are consecrated to the advancement and
renown of his own country. He has the
courage of his convictions and cannot be
tempted to WOO success or avert defeat
by any sacrifice of principle or concession
to popular clamor.
In the hour of republican disaster,
when other leaders were excusing and
apologizing, he stood steadfastly by that
legislative act which bore his name, con-
fidently submitting his case to the judg-
ment of events and calmly waiting for
that triumphant vindication, whose lau-
rels this convention Is impatient to place
upon his brow.
Strengthened and seasoned by long
congressional service, broadened by the
exercise of important executive powers,
master of the great economic questions
Of the age, eloquent, sngle-hearted and
sincere be stands today the most CON-
spicuous and commanding character OF
this generation, divinely ordained, as l
believe, for a great mission--to lead this
people out from the shadow of adversely
into the sunshine of a new and enduring
prosperity.
Omnipotence never sleeps. Every great
crisis brings leader. For every SUI
preme hour providence finds a man. The
necessities of 's6 are almost as great as
those of 81. True, the enemies of the
nation have ceased to threaten with the
sword and the constitution of the United
States no longer tolerates that shackles
shall fret the limbs of men, but free
trade and free coinage hold no less
menace to American progress than did
the armed hosts of treason and rebellion.
If the voice of the people is indeed the
voice Of God. then William Mckinley Is
the complement OF Abraham Lincoln.
Yea. and he will issue new emancipa-
tim proclamation to the enslaved souls
of toll and they shall be lifted up into
the full enjoyment of those privileges.