Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-19
"NEW ENGLAND WILL MEYER
HAVE ANOTHER PRESIDENT IT'LL
SHEOUTTSF OLLOWINGONEPARTY

/
the governors OF South Carolina was old
and academic, and not belonging to this
age. but that what the governor Of
Georgia would have to say to the presi-
dent of the United States would be vital.
! Governor Smith did not claim perfec-
| ton for the people of this state. but he
| did contend that in the main they were
on the right lines, whatever excep-
: tions there might be here and there. He
! said that Georgia had never furnished
the. nation a president. 80
1--WE have not furnished a president
/ from south of the Ohio river in recent
/ years, but neither has New England
nor the states west of the Mississippi"
said the governor. we are sorry for
New England Those states will never
have another president until. they cease
solidly to stick to one party" This sally
provoked prolonged applause.
The governor said
Governor Smiths Speech
Mr.. Chairman-It gives. me pleasure. as
representative of the entire. people of
Georgia. to join in this occasion TO pay
respect to our distinguished guest.
Georgia has never furnished the United
States a president The nearest we ever
came to it was in 1924. when William H.
Crawford was a candidate for the office
and would in all probability have been
elected but for the condition Of his
health.
We claim in part President Roosevelt.
His mother was a noble daughter of our
| state.
Now, we make a third claim. The pres
ident-elect has selected Georgia for his
hours of rest before the day of his in
auguration, and / wish to say to him
that we appreciate his presence on his
own account personally. and because 80
soon he will be president of our coun-
try.
No state or section can say the words
"Our Country with more feeling or
greater right than the people of Georgia.
Our forefathers fought the battles that
freed the colonies. Between eighty and
ninety per cent of the white citizens
of Georgia are descended from revolu-
tionary sires. We are proud of our an
cestors. While we are not given to sec
tional references, If we were to make
them and treat of section south OF the
! Potomac, we might also point to the gem
eral who lead our troops in the revolu-
tionary war. to the writer of the declara-
who commanded our victorious soldiers
in 1872 $3.50
Sorry for New England
We have not furnished a president
from south of the Ohio river in re-
cent years, but neither has New Eng
land, or the states west of the Missis-
sippi. We are sorry for New Eng
land. Those states. will never have
another president until they cease
sOlidIy to stick to one political party.
/ do not know what is the matter
with the West. suppose they are
just naturally too far away from the
state of Ohio, which is Virginia's on
Iy rival as the mother of presidents.
| We are glad to have you with us, Mr..
President, pardon my anticipating what
few days will bring, We appreciate
your better comprehension Of our people
which your presence here must cause.
do not claim that they are fault
less, but I will say to you that the
great body of the people of this state
and section act in politics from patriotic
motives and believe in the doctrine Of
equal rights for all. special privileges
| for none.
| sOf course. we have some who favor
Illegal trusts because they hope to. get
a part of the division.
| There are also some who would be
willing to build Chinese wall around
our country II they could sell their
wares to their fellow citizens at more
excessive prices, but these lines Of
| thought are opposed to the views Of the
large majority of our citizens.
Our people sustain their senator's and
congressman in the support given to
President Roosevelt in all that he has
done for higher ideals OF government,
and for the protection of the masses
against plutocratic wealth.
Democratic Support
We point with pride to the fact that
both the senators and every congress-
man from this state. disregarding party
alignment, supported every such meas
ure urged by the president, and in a
number OF cases, had IT not been for
| their votes and those of their imme-
date neighbors, the legislation would
have failed Of passage.
1 may name especially the amend
ments to the interstate commerce laws.
Upon one. of our immediate neighbors
rested the responsible duty in the Unit
ed States senate of leading the fight TO
increase the powers of, the interstate
railroad commission, so important to
the welfare of the, whole country.
While not receiving a 1ull share or
the spoils of office. Georgia and her
neighbors yield TO no section the palm
for fidelity and capacity OF service rem
dered in national affairs.
Our state and this part of the union
are growing with rapid strides. Our
agricultural. our manufacturing indus
tries and our commerce are destined
each year to be a more important elc-
ment in our nations progress. We
are meeting the problem of education,
and are practically. training our sons
and daughters to handle the marvellous
resources Divine Providence has be-
slowed upon us. ,e
This growth is pleasing to US, not alone |
because of the prosperity which is COM
ing to those Immediately around. We re-
joice equally to know of our contribution ]
to our national strength. and we long to |
do full part towards placing our coun-
try far in the lead among the nations of |
the world H Il
Not Mere Theorists
If you study the character of our peo- 1
pie you will find that they are not mere |
theorists. While they have an intense |
sentiment which arouses in them hostii- |
ity to injustice and an earnest demand 1
TOR equality of opportunity, they are not |
tied down by traditions They are W.
ing in the present, with only a due re-
gard for the past and a Just considera- |
ton for the future