Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-10-04
Former Democratic Delegate in
Congress Delivers Keynote
! Speech Before State Conven-
ton Of This Party,
DELEGATES TENDER HIM
! A TREMENDOUS OVATION
In Address, Speaker Urges Co.
operation Of Democrats and
Progressive Republicans to
Clean Up New Mexico,

Especial Dispatch to the Morning sournait
Santa Fe., y. NJ. Oct. S.--Cor-
daily inviting all honest republicans
and democrats to Join in an over
throw of the unjust and Infamous po-
litical ring that has long controlled
New Mexico under the territorial reg
ime, Hon. Harvey b. Ferguson. tenn
porary chairman of the democratic
state convention. this morning deliv-
cred the keynote speech Of the con-
vention.
Mr.. Fergusson's selection for the
honor of delivering the keynote
speech was an accident. due to the
illness of Hon, A. A. Jones, who had
been the choice of the state central
committee for the honor. But with
only short time to prepare his ad-
dress, Mr.. FERGUSON made a speech
which electrified the convention. His
appearance on the platform was the
signal for an outburst of prolonged
cheering such as has been seldom
heard in a political gathering in New
Mexico. There were a few men in the
convention. not friendly to Mr.. Fer
gusson, who feared that his selection
would prove a political blunder and
that he would give expression to some
ultra radical views which would tend
to destroy the spirit of harmony which
had hitherto prevailed in the conven-
ton. These fears, however. were
groundless and Mr.. Fergusson's ad-
dress was model of Conservatism
from the democratic or progressive
republican viewpoint.
When the cheers which had greet
cd his appearance on the platform
had subsided, the temporary chair
man said he was almost overcome by
the sense of deep gratitude for the
high honor that had been conferred
upon him, and the deep feeling of hu
mility and fear that he might be un-
able to do full justice to the momen-
tous occasion. He was sustained,
however. by the belief in the whole
hearted honesty of purpose of every
delegate in the convention and pray
ed that they would do that which
would rebound to the happiness of the
whole people Of New Mexico and in
sure equal rights without regard to
race, condition or previous party
alignment, to all of her citizens. He
unhesltatingly endorsed the little
blue ballot as the means by which
the people might attain their polti-
cal emancipation. Quoting from Lin
coins Gettysburg speech, Mr.. Fergu-
sson said that the high ideals ex-
pressed therein had apparently been
Tor time forgotten anG pointed out
that shortly after the Civil war an
inordinate greed for wealth had
arisen.
Great wrongs had been inflicted on
the people, mostly the result of ILL
managed and grasping corporations.
Mr.. FERGUSON did not want to be mis-
understood as being opposed to cor
porations, generally, but he was sin
cerely and bitterly opposed to their
abuse of power, The democratic par
ty, he said had been the first to un-
furl the flag of revolt against these
wrongs. The popular conscience had
quickly responded and this resulted
in the organization of the progress
siye republicans who have joined the
chorus of the democracy in the war
fare against corruption. combines OF
wealth and machine politics in New
Mexico.
The sentiment against gang rule,
said the speaker, had crystallized
and all honest men were commencing
to rally around the leaders who had
declared war on machine politics and
the evils that go with it,
The speaker predicted that New
Mexico would enter the union as 6
state that had repudiated and over.
thrown the abuse of public life whict
had been common under the terrific.
rial regime.
Mr.. Ferguson pointed out the wis
dom of meeting the progressves hall
way and extended to the honest re
publican citizenship of New Mexico
the right hand of fellowship and wei
come. This was no party occasion
said the speaker, but it was the dedi
cation and beginning of the campaign
TO bring pure government and equa
rights to all. code of principles hai
been Formulated, which have beet
known as progressive. the initiative
referendum and recall. and the direc
election of United States senator's. Tn,
carrying out of these principles, sait
tne speaker tends 10 bring about jus
tice and the protection of the rights
OF wealth. no matter be that wealth
the humble home of the plain citizer
or the vast holdings OF the wealth!
man. Corporations, he welcomed L
New Mexico. New Mexico\ needed de
velopment and this development coult
only be carried forward through cor
porate organization But. he Nsaid. ex
perience In the older states, democra
Tic Texas. republican Iowa and Kan