The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-27
Outlines Numerous Sources Of
The States Wealth
THINGS YET TO Be DONE
Venerable Senator Is Greeted BY an
Immense Audience at Gadsden and
believers One of His Most
Notable Speeches.

Gadsden. July 2s.-tspecial)-
distinguished senator. John r. Morgan,
delivered one of the most interesting
speeches of his great and distinguished
career at the court house in this city this
afternoon to the Alabama Press assoeia-
ton and a large assembly of hearers
from all over the state.
He was introduced 10 the audience by
the president of the association, c n.
Greer, of Marion. At the first mention Of
Senator Morgans name the immense
throng burst out in great and prolonged
applause.
Senator Morgan commenced his speech
with A few preliminary remarks. mostly
humorous which provoked much amuse-
ment. He said that he was entitled TO his
honorary membership because he was one
of the most active editors of Uncle Sans
great daily, the Congressional Record He
said that he saw his first steamboat at
Gadsden when a boy 1t being designed
to run from this city to Rome, Ca and
he at that time wished to discern some
way for that steamer to show the eolors
OF Alabama on the high seas, and that IT.
He proceede dto go deeper and deeper
into the great subjects OF the day, ard
held the audience spell-bound He paid
Governor Jelks a high compliment for his
splendid address which had preceded him
At the conclusion of mis- address. which
lasted nearly two hours. he was given'a
magnificent ovation by those present.
Universally Loved In Etowah. /,
The venerable statesman Is unirerssHy
beloved here, and his speech has created
profound Impression which will never
be forgotten The senator said
Mr.. President and Members Of the Press
Association of Alabama:
Responding to your kind invitation
to address the Press association, for an
honorary membership In which, by your
election, I am very grateful. | am glad
of such an opportunity to discuss, I'm this
representative city of Gadsden, subject
that s of the first Importance to all our
people.
at Gadsden I first saw a steamboat.
It was built al Greensport landing, a few
miles down the Coosa river, by native
workmen and of native material, for the
trade between Rome, Ga, and Greensport.
II was a staunch.. good ship. painted
white. and II looked to my nneducated
eyes like the temple of Solomon afioat.
II am not dreamer of dreams, and
was not then as a lad. accustomed TO the
rude and practical realities of new
country: but dream or a vision worried
me then that is still perplexing me- |
wished to discern some way for that
steamer to show the colors of Alabama
on the high seas. II has cost me many an
anxious hour of study. without practical
progress of any notable sort. Yet some-
thing has been done. and my dream has
not yet taken on the sombre aspect of de-
| spair.
Indeed new ground Of hope has re-
Gently been revealed that I must bring
to the attention of the editors who are
working for Alabama.
Canal to Pittsburg.
I'm the recent session OF Congress, at It's
| close a law was enacted to connect Pitts
burg with a point on Lake Erie, by
canal with twelve feet depth Of water.
Ohio and Pennsylvania had both enacted
charters for such canal, and something
else was needed to insure success. Com
| gress was appealed to. to furnish the mi
erobe of monopoly to fertlize the scheme.
as farmers import microbes TO fertilize
their alfalfa fields
at was furnished from that enormous
treasure house OF absoutism that has
been recently opened up to our national
covetousness by the latltudlnous construc-
tion of the power to regulate commerce
among the states which like the seventh
born in the vision of the prophet Daniel.
has risen up to swallow all the other
| horns.
"The democrats in the Senate interposed
amendments based on the rights and
powers Of the states. until the measure,
on it's final passage, was made reasonably
safe. The plan Of this law Is a charter by
Congress; regulation as TO freights. etc,
by national commission. and the power
Vfrl.f ~ md nff "a
private property for these alleged public
uses. In conformity with the laws of the
states in which the canal Is located.
Can Prevent Abuses.
Enough power was left 10 the two
states to enable them to protect them
selves against foreign intruders This.
with the eager jealousies such schemes
will provoke. will be sufficient to enable
the states to prevent any gross abuses
of power by Congress. This is the first
law that Is based upon the power Of two
or more states to enter into compacts
with each other. subject TO the ratifca-
ton OF Congress. Such compacts when
ratified by Congress have the authority
and permanence OF constitutional pro-
visions and Will. In the final outcome,
restore the states to the sovereign rights
and powers for which the democratic
party has always contended. I have only
time TO draw aside. for a moment. the
veil that has so long concealed this great
function of sovereign statehood. now con-
ceded In the canal act to which I refer.
that the real conductors OF the press
may discern this new light and begin
to work out the great problems that It
discloses.
'The Indictment TO this law is the profit
IL will WELD to great masses OF capital.
under the direct protection OF Congress.
Capitalists are TO furnish the money to
construct the canal under conditions that
will give them enormous powers that are
granted and guaranteed by Congress. The
plan Is very adroit and would be ex-
tremely dangerous. but for the judicial
power of the courts. which no legislation
can destroy or impair-the power 10 de-
te>cainS. In all cases, and under all CIR
cumst noes. as TO the justice and reason
ableness Of the rates of charges that COM
mon carriers viii be permitted to saddle
upon the commerce and industries of tho
people With that power residing In the
courts. which they will never yield an1