The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-07
Many of u m are eager to vote for sue a man.
 They see in him sanity and safety.

ANA
 But MT. Underwood's rise in public fa- vor has not been spectacular. His ia not the kind of popularity that will de- cline It dawned suddenly but it's dawn ing was rather the awakening of recogni- tion than the discovery of new star. MT. Underwood and his ability had been there all the time, but they had not been called into action. Opportunity revealed the man and the leader.
 His leadership and his qualities are of the stuff that will last. He may never be President of the United States. He may never be given the nomination by his party, but his usefulness to the party and to the people will not be destroyed He is hanging no hopes on the rewards that may come to him from the party.
 He has at last realized that the Under wood movement, started by his friends at home. is much more than a neighbOrhood compliment. He has modestly admitted that many people in the United States look to him as the active leader Of the party and desire his nomination. But this has not changed him in the least.
 He is not a candidate. He will n1t be a candidate. As chairman of the ways and means committee and leader of the party on the floor of the House of Repre- sentatives he feels that 1t is his duty to remain on the job and devote his entire time to the work in hand. He Is sincere in his loyalty to duty.
 More than this he loves the work He not only delights in the conflict, but he really feels that he is in position to render a worthy service to the people.
 If after he has performed the duties imposed upon him and has been able to serve the people as he hopes to be able to do and they still desire to honor him With higher position he is willing 10 ac- eept.
 Indeed he will be delighted. The honor that his friends hold out to Mir. Under wood is an honor that any true American would delight to receive. But he feels that he must merit the honor in full. He must and will finish the work in hand
 MT Underwood's public record Is un- usual for it's clean brilliancy. It stands without a flaw. Critics may search 1t through and through and Mir, Underwoods s smile would never waver. His party rec ord is just as clear. His private life IS without a blemish.
 He is peculiarly fitted by nature and training for the leadership of men and the administration of executive functions He comes of good stock, if that means anything in this peoples republic. His education was thoroughly rounded. His character well poised. His training has been broad and wise. He is thoroughly practical. His academic education has been broadened by well directed experi- ence and constant application to useful re- search.
 He is both conservative and progressive. He can be placed in neither class. He ad- heres to no special school of factonal thought. He follows no fantastic theories. He would run counter to a passing popu- lar sentiment at the cost of any political preferment. He is always willing to await the second sober judgment of the people.
 He had rather be right and buffet the waves than ride the foam of crest that is sure to break
 If he walks alone he takes the middlc of the road and Is not afraid.
 MT. Underwood is still a young man. The best part of his life is still ahead of him. He is in the ascendency of his public usefulness. He will not be disap- pointed or. chagrined if he is not the choice of his party for the presidency. If he should be 50 honored this year it would come almost in the nature of a surprise. It would be almost parallel to the amounting of David as King. Presidents