The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-06-23
SPEECH OF
Elk. GOV. BLACK
Placing the Nomination of Theodore
Roosevelt for President.

Roosevelt for President.
In placing the name of Theodore
Roosevelt before the Republican con-
vention, Hon. Frank S. Black of New
York spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
Convention: We are here to inau-
gurate a campaign which seems al
ready to be nearly closed. So wisely
have the people sowed and watched
and tended, there seems little now to
do but to measure up the grain. They
are ranging themselves not for battle
but for harvest. In one column reach
ing from the Main woods to the Pu-
get Sound are those people and those
states which have stood so long to-
gether, that when great emergencies
arise the nation turns instinctively to
them. In this column, vast and solid,
is a majority so overwhelming that
the scattered squads in opposition can
hardly raise another army. The enc
my has neither gun or ammunlt1ons
and if they had they would use them
on each other. Destitute of the weap-
ons of effective warfare, the only
evidence Of approaching battle is in
the tone and number of their bullet
ms. There is discord among the gen
erals; discord among the soldiers.
Each would fight in his own way,
but before assaulting his Republican
adversaries he would first destroy
his own comrades in the adjoining
tents. Each believes the weapons
chosen by the other are not only
wicked but fatal to the holder. That
is true. This is the only war Of mod
ern times where the boomerang has
been substituted for the gun. What
ever fatalities may occur, however,
among the discordant hosts now nov
ing on st. Louis, no harm will come
this fall to the American people.
There will be no opposition sufficient
to raise a conflict. There will be
hardly enough for competition. There
are no Democratic plans for the con-
duct of the fall campaign. Their zeal
is chiefly conferred in discussion as to
what Thomas jefferson would do if he
were living He is not living, and
but few Of his descendants are among
the Democratic remnants of today.
Whatever of patriotism or wisdom
emanated from that distinguished
man is now represented in this con-
vention.
1t is a sad day for any party when
it's only means of solving living issues
is by guessing at the possible attitude
of statesman who is dead. This con
dition leaves that party always a be-
ginner and makes every question new
The Democratic party has seldom
, tried a problem on its own account
and when it has its blunders have
been it's only monuments, its courage
, is remembered only in regret. AS
long as these things are recalled that
party may serve as ballast, but il
} will never steer the ship.
When all the people have forgotten
will dawn a golden era for this new
Democracy. But the country is no
) ready yet to place party in the leaC
! whose expressive motto is the cheer
} less word "forget.' That motto ma,
) express contrition, but it does not in
spire hope. Neither confidence no
! enthusiasm will ever be aroused b.
! any party which enters each cam
paign uttering the language of tn
mourner.
There is one fundamental plank
) however, on which the two great par
: ties are in full agreement. Both be
: lieve in the equality Of men. The diff
) ference is that the Democratic part
would make every man as low as tn
Z poorest, while the Republican part
: would make every man as high as tn
: best. But the Democratic course wi
Z provoke no outside interference nov
: for the Republican motto is that Q
: the great commander, "never inter
! rupt the enemy while he is making
mistaken
In politics as in other fields, tn
} most impressive arguments sprin
from contrast. Never has there bee
o a more striking example Of unity tina
d is now afforded by this assemblag'
% You are gathered here not as fat
Y. tons torn by discordant views, bu
= moved by one desire and intent, yo
5 have come as the chosen represents
IS tives Of the most enlightened part
t. in the world. You meet not as strar
g gers, for no men are strangers VIII
l. hold the same beliefs and espouse til
ID same cause. You may separate tw
IoJ;o, xr,4ox, Co. w-..-