The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-21

WILLIAM 7
greater thing. What is true of a city in
prospective greatness is true of the state
also. The limit of growth and develop
ment in Alabama is incalculable. When
the state Is net work of railroads and
honey combed with the dlggings of the
miner, the development will be marvellous.
What will happen before you die will be
greater than what has happened since
You were born.
What will your sons and daughters
have TO be proud of in Alabama when
they go forth to other states? You have
been spoken of as the Pittsburg of the
south God grant that that not be so.
Look at Pennsylvania today. She has
been given unlimited wealth. but what
sons go forth into other states they are
ashamed of her record"
Mr.. Jerome then referred to the past
of that state and of the ideals and dreams
of her great men in the dim past. then in
contrast he drew a picture of Pennsyl-
vania today saying she was the most
corrupt state in the union, tied hand and
foot and lying at the feet of the rail-
roads and corporations, a disgrace and a
stencil In the nostrls of great people.
He then drew another contrast that of
Pennsylvania and Virginia. He spoke of
the great sons of the Old Dominion state
and said that all native virginians could
! look back on their old state with love
and pride, for had she got produced a
line of great men. starting with the IA
Their of his country down to the great
general who had led the forces OF the
south In the civil war, saying these, and
not material wealth, are the glories of
Virginia He asked the question II Vir-
ginia would exchange her line of great
men for all the wealth In the country.
Take Massachusetts for instance" Mr..
Jerome said. Were her rugged hills
turned to gold. would she exchange the
great moral principles of her people, their
placing of the worship of God above their
worship of mamon. for all this gold?"
Happy Day.
This is a happy day in my life.
wish you God speed in the great work
that you have undertaken and are accom-
plishing. / feel the stir and energy in
your very air. 1t defes analysis, but 1t
shows what it can effect for | feel that
spirit of accomplishing something in my
every muscle and bone in this air of
yours.
But If the best your future has in store
be mills, mines and wealth 1t will be a
profound disappointment to me. Do not
make the grave errors and mistakes of
i other industrial states and follow after
wealth. Do not rest your laurels on
the wealth you acquire but rest upon the
men you rear for after all 1t is the men
that make the state great, the country
great"
Mayor Wards speech was as followsi
Wards Speech.
MIR, William Travers Jerome
needs no welcome from me to this assem-
bly,. for he is better known to our people
today than Birmingham Is to him. Let
us hope, however, that from now on he
will realize that Birmingham is one of the
great cities of the United States and
second only to New York itself In Inn
portance, and particularly to her distin-
guished district attorney. While the re-
ception he receives tonight is warm with
the glow of personal contact, yet 1t does
no more than reflect the welcome that
would be accorded throughout the entire
south to this man who is devoting his time
with fearless energy to the service OF
| law. Justice and morality.
Birmingham has been accustomed to
entertaining big men-men of world wide
| repute-Presidents and Vice Presidents of
| the United States-but I will take occasion
| to say we have never yet had the privi-
| lege of having as our guest more pictur-
esdue national character-a more striking
| Illustration of young America" who be-
| ing possessed OF power and ability stands
u ,o4I fha ten mt nj
| luxurious environments and the blandish-
ments of vicious wealth combined, in or
der TO follow out his high ideals, than Is
personified In our distinguished guest to-
night.
Having Aftermath.
His vigorous crusade for the pest few
years against crime in high places and
| In low-aganst gambling among the rich
as well as poor against other insidious
forms of vice, is now having wide after
math, as is seen in the sweeping enforce
ments of laws throughout the United
States that were formerly blnked at and
ignored. Hardly a day goes by that we
do not read where the lid has gone down
tight on some big city. AS consequence
the so-called liberal or sporting element
throughout the country is sitting up TAX
ing notice and wondering where in the
world the country will stop. Gentlemen,
lis should never stop. Only those who are In
1t know what there is to contend with In
this sort of fight. feel almost sure that
Mr.. Jerome, while engaged in this work,
was at times handicapped by powerful In
fluences. which in public called for en-
forcement OF law, but which In private
worked and fought for Just the reverse
In the name of the business interests,
which meant neither more nor less than
"a wide open town." ! feel also equally
sure that in prosecuting the duties of his
L. ill., 1f.o1 Asre mt hA
year more than enough crime, misery,