Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-09-28
His Sterling Character and
/. Citizenship Are Justly !,
, ExtolIed !,
SPLENDID INDIVIDUAL MANHOOD
a Glowing Tribute % Manly Man
BY Ex-Governor W11. a. Mac
Corkle, Acting For His Sen
atcria' Colleagues.


Senate:
In this wonderful country Oe ours
there is one thing which surc;y be-
tokens the eternity Of our institutions.
That is, sir, amidst the Strcnu0Gitv OF
our political lifo we can tCrCf. one an
other In that personal contact NniCa
brings men together along the lines OF
high personality, splendid character
and kindness OF Feeling ono 10 THO
other. This characteristic OF ou4 aLV-
eminent IS the one great predominant
feature Of American life, This MARKS
the difference between the dcinCCla-
cies. the old FREQ governments OF
Rome. Athens and Italy, and the 70
publican government Of Our country.
This characteristic which allows uJ
amidst the conflict Of political LIE
amidst the absolute cOntraricty Of
opinion, to see IN our OppOu 1T. high
character, puro patriotism ana Kindly
personal traits Is the grent feature
which will preserve this republican
government as tho ohiefest and best
heritage which has over fallen TO man.
1t Ia pleasant, sir, to understand that
amidst tho marveia and wonders Of
earth and mountain, g-andcr and II Q
splendid than our wealth Of wiley,
higher and better than all OF tEO
wealth which flows from the bosom
OF our state, there le something ST.
perior to all, and that Is, the high ami
splendid character of our citizenship.
repeat, sir, 1t is absolutely essential
to the preservation Of republican in
situations.
The great governments of other days
have looked too often to tho concrete
idea Of great wealth and the maguiit-
cence Of material power. Tho Amer.
lean government is founded upon the
one supreme ideal, the character o. It's
manhood. It Is q great. ii splendid
manhood. 1t 1s a more essential ele-
meltt in the preservation OF free gov
ernmCnt than all the wealth OF Col
conda, all the oil which flows from the
bosom OF our rich state, and all tho
diamonds which Gl!sten on tbs African
mountains or Brazilian valleys. 9th
or governments have founded their
life upon the elemonts OF material
American government Is upon the
splendor of Its Individual manhood
1t gives mo pleasure. sir, democrat
as ! am, to speak these words To you,
the leader Of the opposition IN this
senate. Those words come not from
the lips, and believe that rcprcsc nt.
ig my party associates on this moor,
they come from our hearts.
II you Will allow me little touch OF
the personal element, l WISH to say
that being chosen by my associates TO
address you to-day brings more than
ordinary pleasure to me- was your
fathers friend for Il quarter OF O cen
fury, and III the olden days when ]
rode the circuit he called me Mac
and | called him "IIl'ag," and If today
my old friend was horc and could wit.
ness this tcatlmCulal to the courage
and character, the splendid mamie Oh
OF his son, the tears Of prido would
course down his checks, and his old
heart would throb with conscious pride
tltat his son has arisen to the position
where the words Of encornium OF his
GLOW members In the highest logisla
I've body Of his state could DO sc
: I'nfully spoken. Surely, were lie
hn.r he would be touched with the