Democratic messenger., 1904-10-01
rlR. Sr1ITH NOTIFIED.

Hon. Thomas A. Smith, the
Democratic nominee for Con-
gress in this District, was form
ally notified of his nomination
on Tuesday. Mr.. Smith re-
sponded in a ringing speech.
He said in part
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Notification Committee:
lam deeply touched by the presence
of these friends and by the forceful
address of your chairman. just mad
notifying me of my nomination for the
high Office of Representative in our
national Congress. by the Democratic
party of the First District of Maryland
Some weeks ago my friends were
kind enough to urge my candidacy, for
this honor before the Democratic con-
vention which first met at Ocean City
on August 10. After mature delibera-
tion. it was the sense of that representa-
tive body of Democrats that another
should be nominated, and the choice
fell upon one of our most distinguished
citizens-a gentleman who has repre-
sented his county in both branches of
the General Assembly of Maryland. and
who was later elected Governor of our
commonwealth. In these several
positions of trust his record was charac
teriZed by a conscientious regard for the
peoples best interests, and he justly
deserves their respect and confidence
His splendid services to the Democratic
party and his devotion to its principles
made it proper that others should defer
to him. My friends and / cheerfully
acquiesced in the nomination of the
Hon. Elihu K. jackson and returned
to our homes. ready to give him our
best support. He declined the honor,
however, and il became necessary for
the convention to select another to be
the Democratic standard bearer in the
approaching contest in this Congression-
nj district.
l was out of the State when the con-
vention reassembled, ,on the l4th instant,
and was surprised when learned in an
unofficial way, that the claims of my
county to the nomination had been
recognized. and that / was the choice
of the conventions delegates; and it is
natural that should feel complimented
and highly honored by this action.
When remember that the convention
of which you gentlemen are the repre-
sentatives. was composed of the highest
types of our Eastern Shore Democracy
men of high intelligence and wisdom
the compliment. both to Caroline
county and 20 myself. is indeed fiatter-
ing.
Through you, gentlemen of the
committee. l wish to express to the
members OF that convention my appreci-
alton OF their interest in my home coun
ty,and in me, personally and politically.
and OF my decision to accept the trust
which their action imposes. In doing
this. l cannot refrain from expressing IA
feeling of responsibility which is as
keen as my pleasure is great in being
considered by your convention worthy
of the nomination.
Right at the outset, / wish to say
that l am in entire accord with the
declaration of principles contained in
both the national and State platforms
OF the Democratic party; and should
be elected to the position for which
have been nominated it shall be my aim
and effort to have those ideas and
purposes therein crystallized into law
as the best guarantee of the principle,
Equal rights to all special privileges
TO none"
Mr.. Smith here ably discussed at
length the difference between the ID mo-
The race question has been made an
issue in both national and State cam
paigns, and the responsibility of its be-
ing an Issue lies at the door of the Re
publican party. They inaugurated it
when they gave to the negroes of the
country the elective franchise before
they were ready for il. and because they
were unfit to exercise the right of
suffrage their votes became menace to
good government, inasmuch as their
votes were influenced by prejudice and
not by reason. The negro ut that
moment and by that unparalleled action
became an issue, and President Roose
Welt. by his effort to place him OIL social
equality with the Anglo-Saxon race,
has intensified the problem.
/ am in favor of doing that which
will best benefit the race and that
which will make its members most use
full in our civic life. but it will not be
accomplished along such lines. The
supremacy and superiority of the white
man must be recognized, and when this
question is once finally settled the
benefits TO the colored race will be i'm
mediate aud lasting
Gentlemen, there are other questions
of difference between the platforms of
the two parties which are important,
but time will not permit me to discuss
them on this occasion, but | hope to do
SO during the progress of the campaign
think enough has been said to satisfy
us all that there is wide differe nee in
those declarations. and that government
based upon the principles of the two
parties will differ as much asa Dem"cra-
tic does fr,m an aristocratic govern
ment With these convictions honestly
entertained, l shall at all times raise
my voice and use my best efforts,
whether as private in the ranks or as