Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-29

slavery. the distressed condition Of the
south and the feelings that had been
wrought between the two sections could
not be downed by the mere expression Of
two such leaders as Grant and Lee. a.
IL was necessary. / suppose. that we
should go through that thirty or forty
years in order that the rent which was
made TO the foundations or our country
and Of our civilization should he reunited
in a common country with a common
spirit.
Closer Union Possible.
But what I mean TO point out is that
that spirit we now rejoice In. as we find
between the two sections no remaining
bitterness. Is a spirit that as between the
two great commander. existed the day
that they shook hands and signed the
terms Of surrender. IL Is q matter that
! have very much at heart I believe It
ls possible to make the two sections
even closer together, The south is a
more homogeneous people than we. Emil
grafton into this country spread over the
north and west, not into the south, and
the south preserved its traditions longer
than did we in the north. Added TO that
trait and quality Of theirs was the fact
that for a long time the traces of war
and the sufferings from war were pres
emit to them and always they have present
the colored race to bring back recollec-
lions of the strife.
All In Same Business Boat.
Prosperity has come to the south, Some
changes. I fear are necessary in fixed
economic principles TO promote the bust
ness Of the south. We are all In the same
49, - 49, -
ever we're before in the history of the
country. 1 mean business boat and they
of the south, especially their business men
are trembling in the balance of doubt as
to just where they are politically
Qaughter). In that condition I feel certain
that the next decade or two decades will
bring about a change in their political
views. not necessarily to qualify then for
membership In the Union League club
Qaughter). but such as to fit them for in
dependent action and at times to be win
ming when opportunity offers to vote for
a different candidate from him who is
supported by the solid south,
Not n Republicans speech.
II am not making a republican speech
and | am not speaking from a republican
standpoint; at least, l hope I can separate
myself from that disposition natural to
one who went through the last campaign.
Speaking from the standpoint, 1 hope, of
real patriotic interest in my country |
look forward into the next decade, not
with the hope that the south shall become
republican and make the country all repub-
lican, l think a good opposition, a good
strong patriot opposition is necessary to
make the republican party. If 1t is to con-
troll the government, useful TO the people
and a defeat at times would not hurt it.
What / am looking forward to is a divi-
sion I'm the parties in the south, so that
there shall be tolerance OF political opin-
ion there. SO that in their state govern
ment and in their national affairs, there
shall be more than one political creed Ia
be subscribed TO and supported l believe
that generally through the south the men
who are not actively engaged in politics
woudn recognize that end as one devoutly
to be wished.
Sly Dig Mt Critics.
I'm expressing these desires | am quite
conscious that my motives are likely to
be m%isconstrued. or, at least. that | shall
have attributed to me rather more politl-
car policy than patriotic desire. but, never
theless, l persist in expressing 1t. and
while some of my friends from the south
who represent that section in congress and
In the senate, are constantly throwing cold
water on my attempts to encourage q
little independence Of political thinking ir
the south and saying that 1t Is hopeless
for me to attempt to bring about a change
In that regard, they will excuse me II
attribute to them a little of that p~olitica.
prejudice that they think is actuating M
0aughter) and It is possible they would
not welcome that division OF political opln.
ion in the south with all the fervor OF
some other patriots in that section who
do not hold now the position Of representa-.
tive and senator in Washington. But
howeYeT It is, l feel certain that the rea
spirit of Appomattox is marching on anC
that It is infusing itself In the people o.
the south as II was long ago infused IL
the people of the north and that we ar,
growing closer and closer together ant
that It will manifest itself inspolitical in
dependence the country over. so that W,
shall know each other by sections in DO
litical matters, but By difference only II
principles.
Now. my friends. ] had not prepared
speech tonight. felt sure that when
got into this presence and felt the e~lectri,
fluid OF patriotism, of republicanism anC
OF the sweet association that is hande,
down within these walls of the great mel
that have stood here and addressed you
that I should be able to say something t,
explain why | am here. l thank you"
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