Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-07-19
BY Associated Press.

the Hon. Chas. w. Baker, of Cincinnati, |
Ohio, at the Exposition today:
The fair fame of Ohio, as you may
have observed, does not rest merely up
on the natural production of her SOIL
or the very many and versatile results
of her skill and labor.
Ohio produces men,-men of action.
Men who can work and plan. Men who
can talk and think and fight; and it
would hardly be a full and fair descip-
tion did I not add men who can and do
hold office.
1t has been so ever since Ohio became
a State nearly one hundred years ago;
for Ohio was long in getting into the
Union after it was once well started,
and she has had great deal to do and
say about things ever since.
Virginia used to be called the mother
of presidents. Virginia will have to be
content with the title of grandmother
now, for the other distinction has pass
ed from her. Ohio has assumed it.
Nor are we without hope that the
years of the future will still justify this
distinguished and distinguishing title.
1t is said at home that we have sew
eral very able gentlemen on both sides
who look not upon the mention of their
names in connection with the Ohio sue
cession, reproachfully.
Did not the twelfth amendment for
| bid, we might furnish both the presi-
dent and vice-president.
That inhibition is not nearly so for.
bidding that I should indulge in such
a suggestion however as is the pream-
BILE Of the constitution, which says that
one of its objects is to Ensure domestic
tranquility" There would be no do
mestic tranquility in Ohio, mean con-
stitutional domestic tranquility, with
such ticket. The most amiable of
hopes would not underwrite such an in
surance.
In New York you are said to have
similar congestion and plethora
| Speaking as an Ohioan. beg to say to
you of New York. that when the long
roll is called and counted, the Ohio man
will be in the first place, and you may
have the second only because the con-.
stitution says we can't have them both.
But, ladies and gentlemen, there are
a great many people in Ohio, who do
not hold office, and, although they may
be perfectly willing to do so. are not
particularly concerned about it as the
chief end of life.
They are represented in the material
things you see about you, that in this
Exposition stand for Ohio's industries
and endeavor. g,
Ohio was the first fruits of the ordi-
nance of 1887. That ordinance was not
merely the political creation of con-
gressional enactment, but solemn per-
petual covenant between the thirteen
colonies and the people of the north
western territory, that slavery and in
| voluntary servitude should be forever
prohibited within its borders and, in
its own language, religion, morality
and education being essential to good
government and the happiness of man.
kind should forever be encouraged"
This vast northwest, that in the am
biguous text Of the treaty ceding 1t, ex-
tended "up into the land throughout
from sea to sea, west and northwest
radiated between the Ohio river and
the lakes, to the Mississippi, and was
destined within fifty years to form six
great states, of which Ohio was first
as she was the fourth after the thirteer
colonies, to be admitted into the Fed
eral Union.
She was settled by commingling o
people, part entering from the north
east, type and descendant of the bes
Puritan blood of New England, tn;
other STRAIN of migration entering from
the south bringing the warm and chiv
cavalier, whose ancestors hal pcoplet
! Maryland and Virginia, while funl
across her central border as if to rein
force and fuse these varied elements
New York and Pennsylvania lent Dutcl
; and Huguenet, producing in the anal
gamation as great and strong ant
mighty race Of people as ever troC
the globe.
1t is not surprising that Ohio lik'
some central shining sun scattering
light and heat and life, has sent il
drifts and masses westward and nortl
and south and back again and eastward
men and women who have won distinc
tion in every field of opportunity anC
endeavor. She has given governor:
and senators to other States, and judge
and statesmen to supreme courts ant
national assemblies. Her soil has beer
the birthplace of presidents whom
other states have presented to the ua