Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-09-21
His Sterling Character and
L Citizenship Are Justly !
ExtoIled Il
SPLENDID INDIVIDUAL MANHOOD
a Glowing Tribute TO Manly Man
BY Ex-Governor VIM. A. Mac
Corkle, Acting For His Sen
atorial Colleagues.
Mr.. President, and Gentlemen Of TIC

Senate:
In this wonderful country OF ours
there is one thing which surely be-
tokens the eternity Of our institutions.
That is, sir, amidst the strenu0s!ty OF
our political life Wc can touch che an
other in that personal contact which
brings men together along the lines OF
high personality, splendid character
ana kinClncss Of feeling ono TO tho
other. This characteristic of our gov
eminent is tho one great predominant
feature of American life. This marks
the difference between the democr;l-
ci1s, tho old free governments Of
Rome, Athens and Italy, and the re.
publican government of our country.
This characteristic which allows US,
amidst the conflict OF political life,
amidst the absolute COntraricty OF
opinion, to see in our oppOn>ntB high
character, pure patriotism and kindly
personal traits IS the great featuy o
which will preserve this republican
government as the chiefest and beGt
heritage which aus ever fallen to man.
1t is pleasant, sir, to understand that
amidst the nlarvCls and wonders Of
eH"th AID mountain, grander and moro
81 .3ndid than our wealth OF valley,
higher and better than all of the
wealth which flows from the bosom
Of our state, there Is something SUI
pcrior to all, and that is, the high and
splendid character Of our citIZcnShip
/ repeat, sir, it is absolutely essential
to the preservation OF republican in
situations.
The great governments of other days
have looked too often to the concrete
idea Of great wealth and the magniG-
cence Of material power. The Amer
lean government Is founded upon tho
one supreme ideal, the character OF It's
manhood. 1t Is great, splendid
manhood. 1t Is q more essential cle-
ment in the preservation or free gov
ernnent than all the wealth OF Col
cOnda, all the oil which flows from tho
bosom Of our rich state, and all the
diamonds which glisten on tbs African
mountains or Brazilian valleys. 9th
or governments have founded their
HE upon the elements of material
wealth. The hope and life Of the
American government Is upon the
EDlcndor Of its individual manhood.
1t gives me pleasure, sir, democrat
as l am, to speak these words 20 you,
the leader Of the opposition In this
senate These words come not from
tue lips, and J believe that rcprcaent
Ynt5 my party associates on this IGOR,
they come from our hearts.
II you will allow me d little touch Of
the personal element, I wish to say
that being chosen by my associates to
address you today brings more than
ordinary pleasure to mo. ! was your
fathers friend for & quarter Of q CEN
tury, and in the olden days when /
rode the circuit he called mo Mac"
and ! called him "Elias," and II to-day
my Old friend was here and could wit.
Ecs7 this testimonial to the COURAGE
and character, the splendid manhood
OF his son, the tears of pride would
course down his checks, and his old
heart would throb with conscious prido
that his son has arisen to the position
where the words Of encomium of his
fellow members in the highest lcgi5la.
tive body OF his state could be so
trutDfully spoken. Surely, were he
here he would be touched with the
$1,000 - - - 49,.