Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-07
MR.. WALKERS ADDRESS.

Mr. Chairmen and Gentlemen of the
Convention:-It is a profound honor in
having the privilege of addressing such a
representative convention as this but a
more distinguished honor is the one ac-
corded me in presenting to this conven-
ton and the people of this proud young
commonwealth the name of it's next Gov
ernor.
On the extreme east of the Alleghenys-
that portion of the State swept both north
and east by its historic rivers, uniting in
their embrace at Harpers Ferry, that
historic spot where the Shenandoah kisses
the mighty Potomac, we have no favored
son to present for the high honor of Gov
ernor of this commonwealth.
Yet, Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, from
east of the mountains must come the
proud Democracys majority if we would
elect the nominee of this convention
/ therefore take it that the people of the
counties of the east need offer no apology
in presenting the name of the standard
bearer from a county of the western part
of the State.
Who of you remember a few months ago
when the Democracy of this State, part
of the same old party THAT rocked naked
liberty in the habflments of the American
Constitution" was casting about for a
standard bearer in the coming conflict,
and her available sons were spoken of
from Hancock to Mcdowell, and from
Jefferson to Wood, Many were sought
and few responded; some were too busy
| and others were afraid, and the old ship
of Democracy ffoated, as it were, down
stream unnamed, by horde of support
ers awaiting a leader and captain.
But, Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of
| the convention, in that time of distress,
as in the history of all the past, the plain
| people, the rank and file, stepped out and
| demanded a standard bearer, and in ODE
dience to that command there arose and
stood forth upon the banks of the Ohio a
gifted son, who barred his breast and said
| TO the unterrifed hosts Here am t. and
the people of the party in the State APP
! plauded as one man, and demanded him
as their leader in the great political strug-
gle in this State. Thus was the floating
| ship manned and bright sunshine came
for the voyage.
The Republican party by its blunders
and incompetency, and utter disregard of
the constitution made by the Fathers, had
made success doubly sure for the Democ-
! racy of this State and Nation.
1t was then, Mr.. Chairman, and not I'M
til then, that ambitious citizens or greedy
| influences sought the high honor of the
| Democratic nomination for Governor at
! the hands of the untiring hosts of Democ-
\ racy.
1t is my distinguished honor to present
to you to-day, the name of that man who
feared not in the time when success was
| uncertain, and by whose influence and
courageous position the rank and file of
her great hosts demand Of you your plain
duty. I do not bring you an unskilled
hand; l do not bring Mr.. Chairman, an
unframed leader but he has hewn path
for the party in the past, and led on the
victorious hosts of Democracy into the
very camp and routed the enemy.
/ bring YOU leader who turned the
Republican majority of se1 in 1894 in this
Judicial Circuit into a glorious victory
of over 400 in 1886.
l bring you as a leader that man who
turned his Republican precinct into q
Democratic voting place: a Republican
ward into a Democratic ward this Re-
publican city into Democratic city; a
Republican district into Democratic one.
| a Republican county into a Democratic
county. and a Republican Judicial Circuit