The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-23

The same people, the plain people. and a sane people. ruled in the awakening oi the American conscience that marks q new era in our national life. They dc rule and will rule whenever they bear the sceptered duty of citizenship and move in the light of deliberation and knowing public opinion which is the law of en- frightened nations. They are ruling today. shielded by the laws Of supremacy and safeguarded by understanding, and they are ruling with unwavering faith and in creased confidence in that fine embodi- ment of honesty. that fearless executUr of the law, that inspiring personification of courage. that matchless exemplar of justice, that glorious apostle Of peace and anlity, William Howard Taft.
 Noting his stalwart greatness in the stress of passing events, l believe him the finest example of lofty patience since the immortal Lincoln bore the scourge of vengeful tongues without a murmur from his noble heart
 'Sirs. I have heard men arrogate to themselves the title of progressive repub- lican, seemingly forgetting that progress sion is the first essential to republican fellowship.
 Progress was pronounced at the bap- tismal fount of our party christening and republican progress is the measure of American progress orderly and enduring.
 Progression Not Palaver
 Progression is not proclamation nor palaver. It is not pretense nor play on prejudice It is not of personal pro- nouns nor perennial pronouncement- It is not the perturbation of a people passion wrought nor a promise proposed. Pro- gression is everlastingly lifting the stand ards that marked the end of the world march yesterday and planting them on new and advanced heights today, Tested by such standard President Taft IS the greatest progressive of the age.
 "I can believe, Mr. Chairman, that the turbulence the unrest the agitation, this caldron fire of our national life is directly symptom of shuman progress and in- directly a testimony to republican accom- plishment Worldwide as the condition is, it is of American inception. out or our opening of the avenues of reward and opportunity and the higher attain- ments of citizenship have come new as pirations and new desires. out or our higher American standard of living come the added requirements of life. rms awakened spirit is not to be paralyzed by blind content. for that would halt our progress but it does greatly need the blend of helpful appreciation. The men ace Is not in higher desires and the at- tending restlessness, the peril lies Tn raise promise and misguided hope, iSafety ana ana security are calling for the wnolesoihe effects of political sincerity, for the heip- f,Il heralding of the glory of American life and the offerings or uhhainpe' eu American opportunity.
 "It is needless to magnify and need less to belittle the crisis of this eVehtlui year. Representative democracy mas come to the crucial test and we know that a pure democracy has never been secure Whatever is uttered now, throusI' ambition. misunderstanding or falsehoou' matters little except to warn ana sooet ,,s We have not only wrought the most of Iihertv and opportunity for ourselves at home. but the armament of the earth occident and orient. is aglow with snlng suns of new republics. sped to the orps of human progress by the force or oul example. What sacred duty then to guard today, as ever, against any who would undermine what they cannot over throw.
 People Must Be Answered
 ..rhe irnperious call of a peoples higher aspirations must be answered In oelioefa tion. through logical and lawful sequencT' There is call for cool and sober anu 'is,ll- eous leadership and need of unfaiilng justice 10 the least Of them. justice to the greatest men. If no other motive m pelled in the very name of justice the justice of party. people and a natioi'' the justice done and justice hoped TOT u sustain our faith, this republican conven-' ton would enlist again under the Jus. leadership of President Taft
 opposition is without reason or excuse This opinion was borne Of expedlency p". a triumphant republican party Is not one of expediency. While we have gone on to successive victories. holding measures aboye men and principles above person alties and aims above animus, we nave been so committed to abiding princples that every utterance of 30 years IS Tn consonance with our declarations of to- lay The common enemy has been the party of expediency, catching up epnem- ereal whims. paramounting new trou- bles, belying the sales of commerce ana ship sails to the recrudescent medieval Not one of her six republican sons who have borne the party's national banner ever traied 1t in defeat Let us not forget that the action of this convention goes to the people for their sanction. The American elector goes to the ballot box in the light of understanding. I can fore see his plain and simple reasoning now, with one inevitable conclusion. Is my country at peace? Yes Is my country prosperous? Yes. like no other on earth Is the law held supreme? Yes, as never  Yes and more, for it's chief executive wrought reformations and advancement the party could not pledge Is my gov ernment honestly and economically ad- mnistered?' Yes
 Record Is the Proof
 The record of the present republican administration is not only proof of the conscience and wisdom in our party der clarations, and an impossible barrier to self-repudiation. but the record is in> pregnabe to democratic assault. More, except for the attack of disloyalty in our ranks inspired by pap rather than patriot ism, the record would rate in current crit icism as it will rate in history.
 "The sum total of things done Is far too extended for detailed enumeration now. The modernized. rationalized, pro- tcctive policy vital to our continued in dustrial pre-eminence, unremitting warfare on greed and monopoly, con- servatism made real. instatutory and administrative regularly. a deficit turned to surplus, the corporation ex- else added and progress toward cor porate control, railroad regulation car ried to harmonious acceptance. four great measures specifically aimed to