The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-23
OSCAR UNDERWOOD IS |ND0RSED FOR J. s. PRESIDENCY Great Enthusiasm at Meet ing of Alabama Ma
 ti0nal Guard MANY PROMINENT
 CITIZENS PRESENT.
 @ -.-- as Underwood Makes Speech and Intense Patriotism Is Shown--Col. Bran don of Tuscaloosa Praises
 National Guard
 T. .


 Amid tremendous applause and en- thusiasn, ,s-Gongressman Oscar w, Un- derwood was unanimously indorsed as the democratic candidate for President of the United States at the meeting of the Jefferson County National Guard association held last night at the club rooms of the Highland Rifles at Five Points South Highlands.
 Tie meeting was one of the most im- portant and best attended in the his tory of the association, and in addition to the guardsmen a number of promi- nent civilians were present, including Congressman Underwood, who was the guest of honor; Excise Commissioner Ed Wilkerson, Harry Jones, Job Co., ing, pr. R. F. Lovelady, C. B. Rogers and others. Gen. ". w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa was also an honored guest.
 The occasion was 8 "get-together' meeting of the several local organiza- tions of the National Guard and from the attendance and the esprit dc corps displayed by the attesding of fcers and the general enthusiasm that marked the meeting the intention of the promoters of the meeting was fully accomplished.
 Intense patriotism was the character istic feature of the several speeches, and the National Guard was given a full measure of praise. Every speaker made some reference to the guest of honor, which was the signal for spon- taneous and prolonged applause.
 Maj. J. Q. Smith was toastmaster and presided with grace and ability. Major Smith stated the purpose of the meet ing and briefly introduced Congress- man Underwood as the speaker of the evening.
 MT. Underwood was given a great ovation as he arose and 1t was several minutes before he could proceed. Af- ter expressing appreciation for the generous reception accorded him the distinguished speaker stated he was glad of the opportunity to talk about military matters.
 He referred to his experience as q high private in the Louisville Legion when, as d member of Company F of that organi- 2ation, he took part in prize drill against the Chickasee guards. He said he did
 
 In the Jeffersonian theory that well trained militia was the best defense of the nation.
 German Army a...,.
 Speaking of the German army MT. Un- derwood stated that it was practically a well organized force of militia under gov z ernment supervision for the soldiers ot the several German states had their dis tinct state organizations, under local con- trol He said the present idea was to vitalize the National guard of the United States and perfect it as a means of na- tonal defense.l In speaking of the federal pay bill, which seeks to reimburse the national guardsmen for their services, he stated that it was only a question of time until 1t would be law, for not only was it a question: of right, but a question of economy. He said the government was spending millions on coast defenses tha, in the present standing army was not sufficient to man the defenses already built. and that it was imperative either to increase the standing army or to ap- propriate sufficient money to properly equip and train the national guard.
 MT. Underwood stated that there were objections to the bill on the grounds that it put the National guard under control of the President, this he stated, could only be done after Congress had declared
 
 sovereignty.
 He concluded by stating that the Jrited States government through it's President, might order the national guard to the firing line, and that he believed that it was more economical to make ap- propriations to maintain the national guard than great standing army. MT. Underwood was frequently interrupted with applause and at the conclusion the cheering was prolonged
 General Brandon was the next speaker and was greeted with wild outburst of cheers. His speech was a splendid effort and his patriotic utterances aroused the greatest enthusiasm. Speaking of his po- slion as retired officer, General Bran don said his interest was as keen as ever in the Alabama National guard, and caused him to occasionally break loose from the simple life he was now leading to return to the haunts of his former comrades in arms. He brought down the house. so to speak, when he referred 10 Congressman Underwood as a possible commander in chief of the armed forces Sof the United States. Nations Mainstay
 lie asserted that the citizen soldier had always been the mainstay of the nation, and briefly reviewed past history to bear out his contentious. He said he hoped 10 see the national guard properly equipped. so as to be an efficient safeguard for the defense of the country. He then re- ferred to the opportunities which the south offered to regain the glory of her former days. for a southern man who fully measured up to the standard WAS being prominently mentioned for chief executive of the, nation and. the south should get behind him and nominate and elect him to that position, a statement that evoked tremendous applause.
 "Teach your boy to love his native land" said General Brandon. If YOU live in Birmingham, that Birmingham is the best city in Alabama, that Ala hama is the best stato in the union that the United States is the best coun- try in the world. Teach him to be pa triotc and take off his hat every tim., he passes Old .GlorS' and shout when the band plays 'Dfxie.' '" ss s
 General Brandon. then said that all the patriotism should not be dema nded of the citizen soldiers. that it deyolyad upon the busincHs men and employers of labor to seckthat the. youths of the community did not jeopardizo their po sition by being members of national guard, but rather that they encourage them to become members of that cf- ganization.
 "'rhe National Guard is the protector of the home, the conservator of the peace and the safeguard of the prop erty and business interests of the