Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-02-04
TAZEWELI. VA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY L. 1904
SPEECH OF SENATOR J. N. HARTMAN
Delivered In the Senate Of Virginia Ian.
26th, 1904, Nominating Col. Camp
bell SIemp for United States
Senator.
Mr. PRESIDENT :

He stands for the moral, political, educa-
tiopal and material development of tie
State. He would welcome Federal aid in
the building of our highways and in the
betterment of our pubic schools. He If
not so disturbed by visions and dreams of
so.caled "paternalism, as that he would
deny the right Of tue Federal Government
to extend its aid in the development of
those necessary things which pertain to
the welfare of all our people.
The gentleman whom l snail name Was
not only loyal Confederate soldier, but a
brave Confederate commander, who dis
tinguished himself for gallantry on many
bloody battefelds from 81 to 65.
Since the war he has taken a leading
part in the material development of his
section, and has served not only in the
legislative department of his State govern
ment, but has also been honored by his
district with a seat in the National House
OF Representatives.
This distinguished Vlrginian does not
believe LEES in erecting statues and monu-
ments to our illuslrious dead, aud in gar
nishing the graves of our fathers, but he
believes more in doing our duty to the
present generation, and in paving smooth
ly he path of progress for the generations
which shall come after us.
In seeking worthy men to fill the ex.
alted position Of United States Senator,
we should have due regard for measures
as well az for men. Just at this time there
is measure pending before the United
STATES Senate which is not only the great
est of all the measures conceived by the
brain of man, and to be worked out by
human hands during this century, but /;
is the greatest of all the measures of all
the centuries, looking toward the material
interest Of the whole world, and to the
unity of the human race. A great inter-
national waterway that shall unite the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and bind all
civilized nations together, is an issue OF
such momentous importance, as that poll
tics and piejudices should pale into insig
nihcance before it when we come to vote
for man who shall have direct voice in
advancing or impeding the progress of this
great work.
The distinguished gentleman whose
name [ shall place before this body for
election to this high Office takes the Pres
ident at bis word as to the moral question
involved in the ratification of the treaty
with the Republic of Panama. And l
speak for the whole Republican party Of
this State and for nine hundred and nine
ty.nine Democrats out of every thousand,
in Virginia, when | say that we all not
only rely upon the Presidents word, but
confde in his wisdom on this great ques-
tion.
Now, Mr. President, if l am right in
this estimate of the will of the people OF
this State, can you tell any reason why we
should elect United States Senator nnf''
we shall he assured that he represents the
will of his people on this Panaman ques-
tionP
On behalf of the people whom l repre-
sent, resent every insnuation, implica-
ton or suggestion that tends to impeach
the veracity of President Roosevelt, even
though it should emanate from so great
and exalted a source as the United States
Senator from Massachusetts, or United
States Senator from Virginia, or even
from the State Senator from the county Of
Buckingham. am not alone when de-
clare my belief that President Roosevelt
represents the very purest type of political
life and the highest order Of statesman
ship, that exists in the world today. !
believe he is a man of destiny and that
che has come to the kingdom for such
time"
l am aware Mr.. President, that the
leaders of the Democratic party of Vlr-
einia are much in favor of government by
proclamation. They want to proclaim
everything from State Constitution 10
the Office of constable or justice of the
peace. They have way of nominating
in primaries which never meet. Just how
long the great Democratic masses will sub.
NIT to the promulgation of men and
measures, | do not know. Just how
much longer they will permit few politi'
clans TO manipulate primaries so that they
are never held, or if held to be worked as
they work them in Norfolk, cannot fore
tell; but this do know, that there are
mutterings of discomfort which may soon
burst into storm that shall sweep this
State like cyclone from Lee to Accomack,
frem the mountains to the sea; and the
men who are now misguiding their credu'
lous followers will only be remembered
for the evil they have done.
Mr. President, though mine is the voice
in the Democratic wilderness, | make bold
to nominate for Senator Of the United
States, Colonel Campbell Slemp, of the
town of Big Stone Gap.
RACED WITH TIME BUT LOST