Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-07-23
Able Speech OF ". R.. Thompson.

| the Democratic nomination Tor Governor
at H huntington last Wednesday delivered
a splendid speech upon broad and CONS
prehensive lines. which more than ever
impressed the convention with his fitness
for the high Office to which he aspires.
His speech was as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Convention:
Il am profoundly grateful for the
signal mark of your favor and confidence.
| appreciate deeply and realize fully the
great honor you have done ME. At the
same time / am truly sensible of the
heavy responsibilities that the accept
ance of your nomination for the great
Office of Governor carries with it. TO be
the standard bearer of the unfaltering
Democrats in West Virginia in this re-
cord breaking year. 1919, means arduous
endeavor, unremItting toll and unfag-
gng courage. BY the help of Almighty
God. and the united support of the fire
tried and invinclbe Democracy, Iprom
Use you to measure up to the require
ments of the time, and if our banner
does not emerge on November next vic
torious from the smoke of battle it will
be no fault of mine.
"My fellow Democrats we are entering
.pon a campaign of momentous issues
l al
| There are real and deep seated causes
for the dissatisfaction and unrest appar-
ent upon every hand The public mind
is more generally and thoroughly aroused
and the public conscience more deeply
stirred than ever before. Thoughtful
men everywhere and in all walks of life
are turning aside from their busy pur-
suits to scan the political horizon. to
study the portends and to ind remedy
for the ills that Cypress US. The old rem
edies so long administered by the Repub-
lican party have utterly failed, That
the people have lost faith in that party IS
abundantly evidenced by the recent con-
test before the Chicago convention.
1T needed but the humiliating specta-
Gle of the President and ex-President
scrambling for the nomination for the
great Office of President like two aspi-
rants for constable and bandying cpl
thets which would have done credit to
bowery scrappers to convince all patriotic
and self respecting citizens that the once
great party OF Lincoln aud Conkling and
Edmonds, has fallen into Iuin and de-
cay and they must look elsewhere for
relief.
In the stand pat platform adopted at
the Chicago convention patriotic citizen
ship finds no promise of relief from the
intolerable burdens of taxation, extrava-
gance and bossism under which the whole
country isgroanlng; and the honest voter
sees in the scene enacted and the methods
pursued and the men controlling the
convention continuation of the partner
ship of big business and the government
aud corrupt suppression of the peoples
will,
"When we turn to the State. we find
the same conditions. Notwithstanding the
Reputation of Republican methods and
practices in this State and the condem-
nation of its administration of affairs by
the people at the polls in 1910.
1.-The Republican convention lately as
sembled in this city promulgated plat
torn which boasts of Accomplishments 1t
| never achieved, of economies never prac.
| ticed. of reduction of taxes never effected,
aud affirms it will continue the admins
trative policies which the people have
condemned
| Enlightened by the outspoken, adverse
criticism of its own members. of the
boss-ridden condition of the party ard
the VIGOROUSLY corrupt practices en-
ployed IN the nomination of its candi-
dates, the party leaders promised amend
ment and reform, and called primary
election for the nomination of its candi-
dates. but the dust of conflict had scarce
ly cleared away before its party pres:
was filled with charges Of fraud and cor
ruptlon.
1T has been openly charged and so IA
as have seen, never denied. that th'
nomination of one candidate upon
ticket alone cost 500, 900.
"This magnificent convention repre-
sents the intelligence, the patriotism, tn
sturdy manhood, the moral and materia
interests of this great State of ours. an
it is pervaded by spirit of concord an
determination to serve the common pee
pie of the State.
Realizing the exceptional opportunit
for dong the State real and lasting sci
vice. it has by Its platform bound il
candidates to a fulfllment ofthe pledge
it has made. Let me assure you and tn
good people Of this State that if electe
a to the high Office for which you hav
q named me- shall do my utmost to cal
: ry out the policies and principles enuu
Grated in the national platform, as we
! as the one here adopted. promis
that all the laws of the State shall b
? faithfully executed SO far as shall hay
authority in the matter. My ambitio
to be Governor Of my native Statesprinf
L from desire TO render il some service
Il am still believer in the old fasl
toned doctrine that public Office IS pu
lie trust, and not mine to be works
either for myself or my personal OF par
friends and if elected | shall wo
er earnestly, persistently and faithfully
y reduce the expenses Of the State Cover
ment, and they tighten the burden
taxation