The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-07-06
Speech of Hon. Watts s. Humphrey
Nominating Col. A. T. Bliss.


Nominating Col. A. T. Bliss.
The name of Colonel A. T. Bliss wa
placed before the Republicans state
convention by Watts S. Humphrey, o
Saginaw, who made an eloquent adj
dress in behalf of the successful candi
date. Mr. Humphrey said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen OF thu
convention:-In a country like our!
Astounding in farms. workshops, fac
tories, and other hives of industry
where capital is invested and labor Il
employed to so large an extent, anc
where commercial supremacy and moi
military glory is the goal sought after
a large standing army is unnecessary
This country! is not seeking military
glory, or the acquisition of territory by
conquest. 1t is, however. seeking ar
outlet for the products of its industry in
every market of the globe; and, through
the republican principle of protection,
and the sound financial policy enacted
at the last session of congress, will soon
be in the front rank of the great com.
mercial countries of the earth.
Without standing army, this
country, in the future will be as it in the
past has been, safe from foreign interior
ence in its affairs through its volunteer
citizen soldiers who, in time of dan ger,
drop the tools in the workshops, the
pillow in the furrOw, lay aside their
peaceful pursuits, and take up the i'm
plements of war-forming such an
army of intelligence, skill and valor as
to astonish the military experts of other
nations. Upon this force we can al.
ways depend so long as valiant service
in time of war meets such just recogni-
ton in times of peace, as it has at the
hands of the republican party.
We meet here today for the purpose
of nominating state standard bearer
for this party of principle, of protec-
ton, of sound money, and of progress
the republican party of Michigan.
1t has become my duty by selection,
and it affords me pleasure, to present
q candidate for your con sideration
without in the least, casting one reflec-
ton upon the names of others here so
ably presented.
My memory goes back to the time of
he election of our first republican presi-
lent, and the dark days of 81, follow
ng his Inauguration. The astounding
'act that we were in the throes of
gigantic and bloody revolution was slow
% dawn upon the people of the north.
Then came the call to arms and for vol
lnteers for our armies then just form.
ng. Among the thousands who offered
as volunteers in defense of
heir country's life, and for the saliva
ion of liberty, was young man just
past his majority, whose patriotism and
ense of duty to country left no choice
n his mind. He left the dear old farm, \
Ind all of his childhood's happy sur.
'oundings, the loved ones at home, to
Engage in one of the fiercest and
,loodiest wars of modern times. There
S no doubt many in this convention
lave realized the pangs of such partiDgs.
The mother, with tears and kisses, and
! God bless you, my boy" the hand
hake and word of encouragement from
he dear old father, as the idol of their
learts turn from the paths of peace,
md enters the ranks as soldier of the
epublic. shall not trace this young
'olunteer through his three years and
lalf of hard service, or recount his
leeds of valor in the thirteen fierce
'attles in which he was engaged.
Neither will l drag you into the foul
'rison dens of Salisbury and Anderson.
lille or the dungeon at Charleston. In
hese he spent six months of his time of
ervice, twice escaping, recaptured,
united like wild animal through the
outhern swamps with bloodhounds;
Eighteen days of flight and vigilance,
Eighteen nights of darkness and terror,
When, more dead than alive, he is again
afe within the union lines. Enlisting
s private, a poor unknown farmers
10Y, with no influential friends to assist
i'm, his captains commission at the ex.
,iration of his service bears testimony
s to his true worth as soldier.
After the war closed, he engaged in
BUSINESS in Saginaw, and success has
his efforts and his success in
BUSINESS is due to that same sense of
luty, courage and perseverance that
made and distinguished him as soldier. 4
lie has been called to serve his constitu-
nts in the state senate, and IN the halls
# congress, and in each instance has
represented the interests in.
rusted to his care, and discharged the
luties Of his position. He is a life long
epublican of the staunchest kind, and
believes in the true principles of repre-