The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-09

MT. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Conventions:
 We do not expect here that stupid peace smells of chloroform
 We do not wish that unctuous unan- unity which springs from the unconfiict- ing emotions of a solitary man. We would not have our harmony in a single harness. We, too, love the stir of a strenuous life; but we believe in equal strenousness for all, and special stren- uousness for none. We do not derive our power from the seats of the mighty but from the souls of the humble. We do not ask for inane agreement springing from faithless fire, but rather outbursts of dissension issuing from robust free dom. We are not in executive session, but rather in the committee of the whole. We were sent here by the people to select candidate. We were not sent here by the candidate to notify the people.
 "Our adversaries by dwelling tenderly on the simplicity of the iamented Me- Kinley managed to endure for three days the strenuosity of Roosevelt. By recount ing in affectionate terms the achieve ments of the one, they evoked an en- thusiasm which they immediately credited to the other. Through tears that were shed for the noble dead they saw a larger outline of the living. Driven by lash and lured by luck. they called on all the sac red dust to keep their spirits up. Set to run three full days, the pendulum peter ca out the hands stuck fast and only strenuous shake could make the wheels go round. Spiritless In the sulen task, they worked uphill against the grain and gravity of the hour. Without the mas ter whom they had learned to love they fingered isIless under the whip of one whom they have learned to fear Strip ped Of premedtated pomp and sborn of soothing Dhr0 ha
 more or less than an era of boots and spurs. Take away the tribute to tha dead and all that is left is a horsefoan on the slopes off San Juan. Remove fbe revered black that tells of a nations brief ana underneath is khaki uniform. With hold the reosrd made by hands and hearts new new stll and all that is left Is usurpa- tion's account.
 Pull Clf the Mask.
 Full off the mask that wears inc Kindly smile of peace, and see the grim anu nrm-set teeth of war It was inc e,'ssais enanse rom sure and certain ways to the sniilins' eodylng currents of the wild. un- known It was a leap in the darkness of republican eclipse. and four vears be,,oa VIII ma them vainly looking for the light It marks the place where a party rich In years of service forsook the heatan pa'h ana went on a winding way of un travelled roads. It makes the gan ba. tween the era of the conservative and tba radical It looks good now because they uo not see where the old force ends and the new begins But as they drive away to sea, the overwhelming span ,twixt craft and land will set many a life boat toward the shore
 lnere IS much talk of twisting ten oons III the race of life of running out oI breath toward the opening grave. The old and honored way is still the hest. but De not so strenuous as to strain vo1rself nor yet so simple as to fall asleen There IS much said by those who sit on cush- ioheu chalrs about towards and weddings Tn the nations life. The sunburnt farmer IS just as brave as the star-crowned soI- oler. The man of naturai peace IS ner, hundred times to where the man Of artlncial war is hero once Somehow of Iate the atmosphere of our national life ia fllled with spray of blood; somehow the march of progress sounds of ham, mered steel; somehow, although the sun iisnt or peace Is all about us, there is now and then the gleam of bayonets in US radiant fire and a flash of swords in Its silver beams somehow, although the constitution is still in force, there is sense Of failing power ana growing dis respect which makes us feel that the venerable old man, so to speak is hal, and blind with years and burdens fhs strenuous household of his grand-cf,,- dren.
 Makes Structure TrembIe.
 Somehow, at times, there runc a sort O. shocK rlsht down to the Foundations of tiis repupnc Which makes the structure ,renioie ana all the country pauses and listens and then returns to work. Some how although the future welcomes ne if does so with a mailed hand somehow. although you cannot put your finger n, the spot, there is a universal fear tho mother watching while her child sIeens. now and then she hears the buple call the tramp of soldiers and staring in tb,, darkness of a dream, she sees the rigid up-turned face.' The toiler turning all his time and sinew into gain which others get begins to doubt that the governmen. IS just. The man of means who puts if out in the active currents of the tide and sees the peril of this doubt and the gov ernments compromise with both begins to feel that it Is better boarded than em- ployed.
 ''The north and south each wearing scars that tell of war almost forgiven and forgot. feel the fear again that a prob lem which only time can settle right, will be forced upon them wrong. These fears and doubts and startled dreams and vague misgivings lie in many a hidden cause. But over them Is one at least TO- vealed. For Lincoln said in the sadness of his great soul with malice toward none, with charity for all, with faith in the right as God gives us the wisdom to see it. And Roosevelt said in the glory of his self contemplation tread softly and carry a big stick
 Republicans Make Claims.
 And between these, the beginning and the ending of republican growth, in time and temper, is all their wild. descending flight. With all they now feel of the countrys question of their course, the republican party yet claim every fruit of soil and sun, of brain and soul. They say that by wise administration of na- lures laws they brought abundant har- vest from the soil. They say that by careful direction of scientific search they added untold volumes to the store of common Knowledge They say that in- vention under their control has lifted loads of labor from mankind. They say that religions long sleep was broken by the stimulus of republican virtue. and they point with pride to the churches all over the land. They say that educa- tion was unpopular until they took fl LID and that now almost every one is willing 10 be educated. They say that while pop ulation was increasing some, there was never any steady. advancing general in- crease until the republicans came into power. When attention Is called to the economic industrial and administrative vices resulting from their incompetency. they say that after all there are some things which the all-wise Providence in- sists upon doing without giving any par ricular reason for 1t. So. on the whole we may conclude that whatever the Lord does in administering this good universe I 4