The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-01-11

record OF that able statesman, that
profound lawyer, that stainless gen
tleman, Thomas B. Turley, whose !
voluntary retire ment to private life !
will be loss which my poor servi-
ces cannot repair; and | shall need
your charity indeed If | am to be
measured by the standard of his ii
lustrious predecessor, that grand and
heroic old figure, Isham u. Harris, |
blessed be his memory forever.
"My fellow citizans, in free re-
public honors go not with titles. but
with duty performed The richest
laurel will wither to the touch of an
ignoble brow, and the title which is
a mark of distinction 10 the faithful
public servant, becomes to tue un-
worthy but badge Of infamy and a
brand of shame. He who receives
high and honorable office from his
country should regard it not so much
an honor in itself as an opportunity
to gain honor by high minded de-
votion TO his country's service,
With this conception of the relations
[ am TO assume, and with the ratifi-
cation of your choice by the General
Assembly l shall enter upon the dis
charge of my duties. | shall not
forget that in doing so l shall be
representative of all the people of
Tennessee; but standing in the
presence of this Democratic caucus,
[ may be permitted to say that ac-
cording to my own view | shall best
serve the VIII Die State and all the
people by rigid adherence to the
great principles of the Democratic
party.
LET me add, Mr.. Chairman, that
my faith in the destiny of the Demo-
cratic party and my hope of its future
has not been dimmed by defeat. /
speak to you in the faith that this
republic was not born to die. I be-
lieve that the noble principles upon
which it was founded and by which
it has been strengthened and sus
tanned will surely triumph over
greed and corruption and all the
base and brutal passions of this little
hour. The Democratic party has
but to inscrIbe the principles Of
American liberty and the welfare of
the American people upon its ban
ners, and under this sign we shall
conquer if this republic is to endure.
Ii the American republic is to perish,
God forbid that the Democratic party
should survive!
my friends, we can afford to en-
dure the SCOTS of those who say that
sentiment has no place in the poll
tics of this practical age, who tell us
that we are not in accord with the
progressive spirit Of the time. I say
to you that il the time shall ever
come when sentiment ceases to in
fluence governments, that time will
be when Justice, love and pity, and
all the Christian virtues shall have
perished from the earth. Such senti
: ments wrought for the creation OF
this republic and have continued to
speed it on its high career. believe
that man may be intensely prac-
tical, yet serve God and love his
brother. l believe that he may be
diligent in business, yet keep to the
Golden Rule. And I believe thai
: Christian love and peace should rule
tie halls of power as we'll as the
hearthstones Of the people. | be-
lieve that God should abide in the
constitution OF every government
and the spirit of Christianity in Its
every act and law. And | believe
that whenever country stoops from
these high sentiments to follow low
{ and sorGid ends, it is but preparing
for the doom denounced by Holy
Writ upon 'all the nations that for
get God
"And what is the progress ir
whose name we are asked to turr
our backs upon all the history anC
traditions of our country? believe
that the noblest forward steps in the
march Of civilization was made
when this republic was founded
upon the dignity OF manhood anc
the rights of man. 1t is not progress
it is retrogression, to abandon th,
Declaration of Independence anC
the principles of the American Con
stitution. 1t is not progress to spur
the great conception that govern
nents derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed, nor is il
progress to turn back to the ole
mediaeval spirit of force and con
quest which this nation was born Il
destroy.
my friends, for l25 years this na
ton, uncorrrpted by the lust 10
empire of dominion, free from tn,
burdens and danger of great militar!
establishments, has kept the evel
tenor of its way till it stands incom
parably the greatest nation of tn
earth. Such nation does not nee'
to advertise its greatness by Uh
! shouting of it's Captains and tn
thunder of its guns. 1t does no
need to scrawl It's name across tn
! page of history in the red b ood {
mankind.
Mo. Chairman, believe it to b
the duty ana the mission OF th'
, Democratic party to keep the coun
Try to the history, the traditions ant
, the ideals of the republic. To suci
aim and purpose L dedicate On.
humble service, feeling assured tha
| shall not lack the approval of th
noble manhood and womanhood o
Tennessee.
"And now, Mr.. Chairman, to ever.
member of tn $ caucus, and to ever!
! friend throughout the State, l retur
. my sincere ana heartfelt thanks ant
leave you with he hope that unde
: the wise guidance of your abl
; Governor, harmony, prudence ant
, I enlightened statesmanship may at
, tend all your deliberations durinl
this session of the General Assem-
bly,"