Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-02
HOKE SMITH MAY BE CALLED
TO LEAD DEMOCRATIC PARTY
OF NATION, SAYS ALEXANDER
Hon. Hooper Alexander, in Sp eeCh Nominating Hoke Smith
for Governor OF Georgia, Predicts That He May Be Called
Upon to Become the Democratic Nominee for President

Predicting that Hoke Smith may be
destined to become the leader of the
progressive Democratic party in the
United States. Just as ne has been call
ed 10 lead it-to victory in Georgia, Hon
Hooper Alexander. I'm his speech nomi-
mating the successful gubsrnatorial can
didste at the state convention in At
lsnts Thursday morning. declared tina:
the time was drawing near when IL
would be the duty OF the always faith
ful south TO claim her right place in
the Democratic councils OF the nation
and put forth a Democratic nominee for
the presidency OF the United States
around whom all true Democrats can
rally. <Oke Smith. nc believed. was
such a man.
said Mr. Alexander:
The candidate / shall name has no
knowledge OF what il is my purpose here
TO say. I alone am responsible unless il
meets the sanction OF your approval.
Three times have a numerous body
OF the Georgia Democracy called upon
one OF her sons to lead them in a great
civic struggle for the establishment OF
principles and policies they deemed es-
sential 10 the welfare OF the state. and
for the correction OF evils they deemed
fatal to her progress and prosperity.
Three times he has put away the
duties Of a cOngenial and profitable vo-
cation to comply with their demand.
Having but one political aspiration. a
high and honorable ambition to which
he might have reasonably hoped TO at
tain he has in the past ungrudgingly
foregone IL in a spirit OF civic consecra-
ton TO the duty laid upon him by his
country's call. and knowingly exposed
himself to animosities and vituperations
that were as keenly felt as they were
wholly undeserved.
Perhaps he might now be well JUS
tiled IN looking forward TO the hope.
that, after the service has been rendered
TO which We this day. call him. he might
be permitted TO attempt the gratifca-
ton OF that ambition he has so long
felt, and lay aside the duties OF the ex-
ecutive to seek the more congenial toza
OF senator. Doubtless II he should so
do. an fndulgent country. mindful of the
service he has rendered at her beheSt
might well be expected to consent that
he seek the ONCE he desires. even though
other imperious tasks call for his serv-
fee.
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE
And yet my countrymen. I question
II II should be so. Sacrifice and serv-
ice are the conditions Of true greatness
The assured qualification OF an honorable
ambition might bring the keenest salts
faction TO the aspirant. and simulate for
him the rewards that history will re-
serve for them OF great renown. But
II there be other and more arduous tasks
TO which Georgia may rightfuIly call a
chosen son he can not refuse the call
without forever foregoing the palm OF
greatness. And no matter what the ma
ture OF the call. its perils or fits cost,
the son that Is worthy Of the state
must serve her where she sends him.
rs there such a duty in the future to
which Georgia may summons her favor
its SOM think there is
For SO years. Georgia and her sister
southern states have patiently submit
ted 20 an ignoble and degrading station
IN this union Her sons have been born,
have grown 20 manhood and have served
their country and many of them have
been gathered TO their fathers, all OF
them conscious always Of a power and
prejudice that barred them from one
high and honorable ambition to which IL
would be wholesome for the republic
IL every citizen might aspire.
SOUTH ALWAYS FAITHFUL
The old men Of Georgia and her
young men have steadfastly chung to the
traditions OF the Democratic party
through good and i'll repute. Before
their eyes have been hung the glitter
Ing gauds OF power and OF station and
the promise OF rich emolument, IL they
would only make uncenoid profession OF ]
creed they do rot hold Since the be- 1
ginnings or faith there has been no such |
secord OF fortitude as theirs The |
temptations OF promised office, easy to |
acquire. have not seduced them, nor the J
glamour Of profit or Of power tempted |
Alike undeterred by political ostracism
and unseduced by political promise. they
have held for half q century to the |
faiths OF their fathers and the gospel 0f |
-.
gartsh promises that tell OF the rewards /
awaiting for their treason
During all these years Il has per-
haps been needful that we subordinate /
our hopes to the conditions by which we
were confronted For one confess that /
have chafed no less when we follow
ed a leader dictated by feudai power,
than when we permitted one TO be cho-
sen for US by a lawless conspiracy mas