The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-19
Senator Hills Speech
SEC0NDING THE NOMINATION OF STEVEN
SON FOR VlCE-pRESlDENT.

y
to the Man From llIinois-Pledges
His Cordial Support of the Ticket
and Predicts Triumph at the Polls
Next November.
Following is the speech of Hon.
David Bennett Hill who seconded
Stevenson's nomination on the part Of
New York:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the
Contention:
In behalf of the Democratic masses
of the State Of New York, for whom I
assume to speak on this occasion.
second the nomination which has
been made from the State of Nebraska.
William j. Bryan does not belong
to the State of Nebraska alone. He
belongs to the North and the South,
to the East and the West; he belongs
to the whole country at large.
1t is a nomination already made in
the hearts and affections of the Amer
lean people.
From the closing of the polls four
years ago until this very hour there
was never possibility of any other
nomination being made. He is a
gentleman that needs no introduction
to this audience or to the American
people. Nebraska is proud of him,
but New York is proud of him also.
Four years he has upheld the banner
of Democracy in almost every State in
the Union. His voice has been heard,
not only in behalf of our principles,
but in behalf of the cause of the COM
mon people, in behalf of the working
men, in behalf of humanity.
He is strong, strong with the
masses, strong with the artisan,
strong with the farmers. stronger
even than his own cause. His integ-
rity has never been questioned dur
ing all the time that he has been
under the gaze Of the American peo-
pie. His craftsmanship has been ex-
hibited in the halls of Congress; no
others have served during such a
brief period that made such an i'm
preston upon the minds and hearts
| and conscience of the American peo-
| pie.
The cause which he represents is
peculiarly the cause of the people.
| His election will mean honesty and
integrity in public office; it will mean
the amelioration of the people; it will
mean the destruction of criminal
trusts and monopolies; it will mean
economy and retrenchment in govern
ment affairs; it will mean the suprem-
acy in the Constitution everywhere
throughout this land wherever the
| flag floats; it will mean a return to
the advocacy of the principles of the
Declaration of Independence; it will
prove blessing not only to those
| who vote for him, but to the few who
may vote against him.
l, as you we'll know, was one of
those who in good faith doubted the
wisdom of some portions of the plat
form; doubted the propriety of going
into details on certain portions of our
financial policy, but the wisdom of
this convention has determined other
| wise, and l acquiesce cheerfully in
the decision.
| am here to say further that the
platform that has been read is worthy
Of the vote and approval of every man
| who claims to be Democrat in this
| country. Those who do not admire
! some portions can speak of others.
| If there are some issues which they
do not desire to present as strong as
| some others, they can at least talk
about something in this platform that
is worthy of their anDrOval
A word more. This is the time for
unity and not for division. l plead
tonight for party harmony and for
party success. I plead because Of the
dangers which confront us. As sure
as election day comes, and if we
should happen to be defeated-which
do not believe we will-if it should
occur, what will follow? 1t means the
restoration of Federal election law
it means a reduction of apportion-
ment of members of Congress
throughout the Southern States of our
Union; it means consequent reduc-
ton in the electoral college from our
Southern States; and the plea of
necessity will be made because it will
be apparent by election day that some
of the new born States of the West
which they had relied upon. have
gone over to the Democratic party.
SO | am here to say that this is a
most important election-important
for our party; important for our coun-
try; important for the best interests
of our people. l have no time to
analyze the platform; we are speaking
of men and not of measures now.
This nomination will meet the APP
proval, based upon this platform, oI
the people of the East
What we need is an old-fashioned,
rousing Democratic victory through
out this land. That will mean a res
toration Of the currency of oul
fathers: that will mean home rule foi
the States; that will mean popular
government restored; that will near
the supremacy OF equal laws through
out the country; and in this great re
suit which we hope to achieve l an
here to say simply in conclusion. tha
New York expects to join with yot
with her thirty-six electoral votes.