The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1901-01-17

name we are asked to turn our backs
upon all the history and traditions of
our country? l believe that the noblest
forward step in the march of civiliza-
ton was made when the republic was
founded upon the dignity of manhood
and the rights of man. 1t is not prog
ress; it is retrogression to abandon the
Declaration of Independence and the
principles of the American constitu-
ton, 1t is not progress to spurn the
great conception that governments de.
rive their just powers from the consent
of the governed, nor is it progress to
turn back 70 the old medieval spirit
of force and conquest which this nation
was born to destroy
DEMOCRACY AND TRADE.
"The appeal made to us derives
neither force nor dignity from the fact
that it is made in the name of trade.
The democratic party is in sympathy
with the true commercial spirit. We
want to see our products sold in every
market and our flag floating on every
sea. But we have no sympathy with
that spurious commercialism in whose
dictionary buying and selling are
Synonymous with killing and stealing,
We do not believe that trade means
plumber or that commerce means war.
On the contrary. we hold that commerce
will move with swifter and surer foot
in the ways of peace than in paths
made slippery with human blood. If
any man say that this is mere senti-
ment, devoid of practical wisdom, |
challenge him to the cold and practical
test of statistics. / challenge him to
compare the wealth and power, the
trade and industry of the United States
with that of Europe. Our wealth and
trade have not been increased by dis
tant possessions, yet our exports are
greater than those of any European
country, while our internal commerce
surpasses anything of which they have
dreamed. European powers which for
centuries have ridden with bloody hoof
over prostate nations and marked their
every advance by slaughter of their
brother men, today stand aghast at the
conquering strides of American com
merce in all the markets of the world.
There is not an English newspaper that
does not send up its daily wall over
some fresh invasion of English mark
, cts by American goods. And for all
this marvellous commercial growth, no
struggling republics have been fouly
murdered, no nations haye been shorn
of their liberty, no widows have
mourned, no orphans wept, no blood
cried out against us from the ground.
Yet in spite of this ample demonstra-
ton that American commercial primacy
may go hand in hand with American
a political ideals, we are today, in the
/ name of commerce., writing our recan-
tation Of the great Declaration in blood
of people who have never offended us
: except wishing to be free.
LUST OF EMPIRE.
7 "My friends, for 1876 years this ma.
ton, interrupted by the lust for en-
pire or dominion, free from the bur-
3 dens and dangers of great military es-
Establishments, has kept the even tenor
7 of its way till it stands incomparably
the greatest nation ON the earth Such
: nation does not need to advertise its
. greatness by the shouting of its cap
8 tains and the thunder of its guns. II
Q does not need to scrawl its name across
the page of history in the red blood OF
4 mankind.
"Mr. Chairman, l believe it to be
! the duty and the mission of the demo.
$ cratic party to keep the country true
s to the history, the traditions and ideals
: of the republic. To such aim and pur,
Q pose | dedicate my humble service,
d feeling assured that / shall not lack
the approval of the noble manhood and
A womanhood of Ten nessee.
t "And now, Mr.. Chairman. to every
member of this caucus, and to every
friend throughout the state, 1 return
my sincere thanks and leave you will
q the hope that under the wise guidance
of your able governor, harmony, pru
dence and enlightened stateamanshiI
8 may attend oil your deliberations dur.
g ing this session of the General Assem-
q bly,"
II PRESENTED WITH FLOWERS.
/ AT the conclusion of his address, anC
particularly during his illusions to the
:, Philippines, Mr.. Carmack was warmly
d applauded. Richard Baptist, secretary
Il to Congressman Carmack, stepped III
h to the speakers stand as the Congress
. man was about to leave, carrying
. beautiful bunch of Sumner county
0 roses. They were presented to Mr.
Q Carmack by Speaker Bright Wilson
Of Sumner county, as token from the
7 people of the birthplace of the senator.
elect. In receiving the flowers, Mr..
: Carmack made a very graceful and
. touching speech.