Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-12-12

/ ment-
In the light, or rather in the darkness.
of this modern record there are no well
defined issues and it is no wonder that
as Democrat l hardly know where
am ''at." Even among US who call our
selves Democrats there are several
classes. Perhaps l can better decide
how to cast my vote in the election by
finding out just to which class of Demo-
Gratis l belong.
First: There is the hereditary class
Those of US who are Democrats be-
cause our fathers, grandfather and great
grandfathers were Democrats and the
family record has never been broken by
casting Republican vote; and where we
have conscientious scruples as to break
ing this record, guess we had better
stay at home on the 18th inst Some of
US might do like the Mayor of the town
of Richlands did in 1901, when was
candidate for the Senate. With a
troubled look on his countenance and
with tears in his voice he said to me,
Brother Harman, l am eighty years
old, and have never voted a Republican
ticket in my life, but have made up
my mind to break the record this time. d"
Well | thought that a good time to
break the monOtony of that record, and
hope that many of our hereditary
Democrats may go into the record
smashing and vote for my good friend
Bascom Slemp, on the 17th.
Next we have the organization Demo-
crat.
Now l shall assume that like my
friends John and Judge Williams who
are present with US today, (the first of
whom is Clerk of the House and the sec
ond member of the house), am an or
ganization Democrat. AS such, how shall
| vote in this election? Well, it strikes
me that our duty is clear; that in order
to "bust" the Republican organization
we should vote against its candidate,
Mr. Slemp, and for his opponent, the in
dependent, But hold on, now let US
think a minute before deciding. We
know that Slemp is going to be elected
by about 1000 majority; and therefor
we shall fail in our efforts to "bust" the
Republican organization. Then be-
sides, failing in this, we shall be found
In alliance with the forces that shall be
defeated and will have to bear our en-
barassing share in that defeat, which
VIII weaken rather than strengthen us
IN the next congressional fight when we
shall have man of our own. For these
reasons, if we support the independent
we had better be very quiet about it.
And In order that we may be able to
clear ourselves from the charges of de-
feat, a good many of us had better
openly support Slemp.
The next class l will call patriotic
Democrats. This class is composed of
that large element of voters who mean
to vote for the man who can do the
most for his district. In my humble
judgment when you take into consider
alton the high character, the moral and
mental qualifications of Bascom Slemp,
that you will conclude that no man in
the district is more worthy of our suf-
frage. Besides this, his intimate ac-
quaintance with the men who control
affairs at Washington and high stand
ing in their estimation gives him a
commanding position that it would take
any other man years to reach. Then we
will just make up our minds that it is
our duty to vote for Slemp and do honor
and credit to ourselves as we'll as to our
district.
l pass over other classes of Demo-
Gratis and come at once to that special
class which comes so near my heart.
refer to the temperance Democrats.
For many years, many years, side by
side with this most excellent class of
Democrats have made the fight of my
life for the cause of temperance. took
the nomination for Senate in the third
Senatorial District of Virginia in 1901.
solely that / might do what could for
temperance legislation. l am glad to
say that three hundred temperance
Democrats of Tazewell county made my
election possible. You do not wonder
then at the strong cords that bind us
together.
AT the first session of the Senate of
which was member prepared and
had passed the first prohibition law that
ever adorned the statute books of Vir-
ginia. l shall benqueath this as among
the richest legacies to my children and
grandchildren. / trust that they may
find pleasure in this record when nv
head lies under the bluegrass sod of
Tazewell.
l am glad to say to you that Giles
county was embraced in the provisions
of that bill, and that we are all indebted
to your Senator, Mr.. st. Clair, and to
your member of the House, Mr.. Staf
ford, for valuable aid in the enactin0 of
this law.
Now, my fellow citizens, ,notwitbstand-