Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-06-29
REEDS SPEECH NOMINATING CLARK.

"As early as 1885 he declared Tor
the direct election of senators. Five
times has he voted for that measure,
and for years in congress has been it's
distinguished advocate.
Has Not Campal9ned.
During all OF his long public serv.
ice, he has been one OF the most
valient champions of tariff reform.
Il place before you this, record,
made not when lust of office lured, but
written In the story Of the years, and
craven upon the public statutes OF the
country, and challenge comparison.
"All his life this man has been a
democrat. He has not been an oc-
casional democrat. He does not be-
long to that class of democrats who
steal out O. nights, sleep In strange
political BEDS and then come trailing
home about the time they can smell
the breakfast bacon frying.
"He Is not a fair-weather soldier.
He has marched in the procession
when there was no band to lead. He
did not enlist for one campaign; he
volunteered for life.
His popularity is confined to no
section In his campaign he has re-
manned quietly at his post of duty He
has not afforded the spectacle OF a
presidential candidate clamorously
paradfng the country with brass bands
and red lights, soliciting votes.
"His campaign has been made by
the people for him. 1t has been con-
Quoted almost without money and
without organization. He counts in his
column substantially all of the dele
gates of twenty-five sovereign states.
His popularity has swept across the
sea, and he will be supported here on
every ballot by substantially all of the
delegates from the territorial and
insular possessions.
Swept Western Country.
"He carried his own state by a
state touching its borders. He carried
the states touching borders with the
home states Of his distinguished op-
ponents. He carried almost solidly
that great domain known as the mid.
die west. With two exceptions he
swept all states west Of the Rocky
mountains.
II have said he carried these states;
let me rather say, the loyal demo
cracy. the democracy that has, never
faltered, that has with unwavering
allegience followed the flag, carried
them for him.
What are the great issues upon
which we must fight the battle of
1912? Is 1t not upon the record made
by the democratic house Of representa-
tives? That record Is story Of
achievement, Of promises redeemed,
and pledges kept; Of patient, wise,
brave statesmanship.
II would not detract hairs weight
from the honors due to all democratic
congressman. T would not pluck a
single leaf from the brow of the
present great majority leader. give
to all due need of praise. But yet I
the man who most of all has borne the
burdens and responsibilities. whose
counsel has guided, who pointed the
way; whose keen intellect, superb
courage and mastery generalship
have forged the force which has been
driven like wedge through the body
of the republican party and split It
asunder.
"The army or the democracy 1s
forming in. battle array The sun Of
hope glorifies the horizon of the
future, and sheds its splendor upon
our banners. Above us bends the
myriad hued bow Of promise We have
been led to the very gates Of success
by a veteran grown gray in the serv-
ice Let him continue to lead, and the
celestial bow will become an arch of
triumph. beneath which democracy
will march in glorious victory.
"And so I nominate this man, who
has fought a thousand battles for
democracy and not one against her;
who has never lowered his flag nor
asked for quarter: who has never
deserted nor taken furlough; who
does not know how to quit friend or
betray party; whose back the enemy
has never seen, but whose breast is
covered with the scars of many hard
campaign; who leads today and who
should continue to lead-the lion of
democracy. Champ Clark of Missouri" /"
GROWS ELOQUENT.