Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-18

to carry on the work that Lincoln hat begun, turned her face again to Illinoil and called for Grant.
 Within these very walls only foul
 years since we named our present matchless leader, who has again reused the conscience of the nation as the nn
 vanquished champion of the people
 who still holds the peoples abiding trust, your president. my fellow coun
 trymen, Theodore Roosevelt. What
 glorious memories crowd upon us from
 across the years of mighty deeds
 wrought by the Republican party for
 freedom and humanity under our great
 ehieftains from Lincoln and Grant to
 Mckinley and Roosevelt! Very neal
 us today are the spirits of those lead
 CTS of our party whose work Is finished
 Lincoln and Grant, Logan and Ogles.
 by, Norton of Indiana, Chandler of
 Michigan, Sherman of Ohio, Hawley and Platt of Connecticut, ConlSling and
 Arthur, Sumner and Hoar, Blaine and Garfield, Harrison and Mckinley. What pictures these names call up of courage on the field, of eoquence in the forum, of devotion to party, of loy- alty to the state! Of them and their associates we may say, as we contem- plate the outcome of the principles for which they lived, truly their works do follow them. Through the triumph of these principles now in the fullness of time the American flag floats over 100,- 100000 people from Porto Rico to Lu- Eon who live in the enjoyment of en- frightened freedom sanctihed by law.
 Inspired by these memories and en- eouraged by these reflections, we meet to gird ourselves for another combat and choose another captain. Today H. linois once more offers to the party of Lincoln and Grant a leader under whom defeat will be impossible and victory will be compate and glorious all along the line. Asd nothing less than complete victory should be our aim in these delibera tions
 A Great Responsibility. .
 Fellow Republicans, great respon- sibllty rests upon us, first, because the nominee of this eouv ention will be the next president of the United States and secondly, because upon the work of this convention and the nominations which we make will depend the result of the election of many senators and representa- tives. When this convention adjourns, the country will know who the next president will be, for the ene- my will realize that they have to deal with a united party. enthusiastic, de- termined. unconquerable. Whoever our candidate may be, every man in this convention will be his loyal, his mlli- tant supporter Whoever secures the nomination, his friendly rivals for the honor will be the first to congratulate him, and when the campaign opens they will be the earliest in the fight. the foremost in the fray and the last to leave the field. The presidency al- ready is secure; but, gentlemen, we shall not discharge fully orr obiga- tions to those whose commissions we hold if we finish the work of this con venti0n with the sole aim of electinc . president. If we win the presidency and lose the house of representatives. 1t will be drawn battle. To lose the senate would be national calamity.
 Long and Faithful Service.
 The nominee of this convention must be a man specially equipped by nature, training and experience for the per- formance of the duties of the presi- dential office The candidate whom Illinois presents has risen through nas tive ability and long years of faith ful service to the highest position in our national legislature. the second place in the government in dignity and power. His long service in congress has given him thorough knowledge of all parts of the country. perfect familiarity with the needs of the peo- pie and keen insight into the busi- ness of the government in all its branches. He is the greatest govern ment expert on reveaues and appro- priations, currency and the national debt. For generation he has been Intimate with the ablest men in both parties. and he has that rare wisdom that comes from long experience in public life. innumerable conflicts that left no trace of bitterness and con stant contact with the great minds of his age We have had many illustri- GUS speakers-Clay. Blaine. Carlisle, Reed-any one of whom would have adorned the presidential office. but in practical wisdom. knowledge of the needs of the government and influence with his associates no one of them equaled Speaker Cannon, Illinois can didate for the presidency.
 cannon's Rugged Character.
 Again. the fierce light that beats upon a presidential candidate will dis close in Speaker Cannon's entire off, cial record the dominating influence of honesty and sincerity. those rugged traits of character that the American people demand in their public servants.
 The next president will appoint many United States judges and in ali proba- bllity majority of the supreme court, fhe last bulwark Of our national insti- futioEs- Speaker Cannon's legal train Ing and high regard for the judiciary IS an independent coordinate branch 'f ihe government give assurance that these appointments will continue to be made with an eye single to the malnte- nance of the lofty standard of learn Ing and purity of character that have our federal iusi ges fin the