The Washington times., 1912-06-28
NOMINATION MEANS
PRESIDENCY, SAYS
+ REED, Of MISSOURI
Reviews Champ Clark's Po-
litical Record In Stir q
ring Speech.


James A Reed of Missouri said:
We are here, not to nominate a can
didate, but to select a President
I'VE are about to dissolve the partner
ship between monopoly and government.
Half of every battle is the general
NO army of men ever fought well be-
mind leader whose loyalty the rank
and file doubted. No army was ever well
generated by a raw recruit or did its
pest behind a novice who tripped upon
his own sword.
Let me have for general him who
has suffered the hardships of the camp.
the tolls Of the march. the dangers of
the field; who has stood at the bloody
angle; who has proven his mettle in
the baptism of fire.
Let me tell you of such a leader:
He was born in that good Democratic
State of Kentucky.
There his eyes first opened to behold
the lovelight shining in the face of a
Democratic mother. Mingled with the
notes of her lullaby, the myriad sounds
OF farm life were borne to his baby
ears. About the next thing he heard
was his Democratic father reading a
Democratic platform. He has been a
Democrat ever since
Loves Common People.
This man sympathizes with the COM
mon people. He recognizes the nobility
of labor. His feet have felt the sharp
stones of adversely. He loves the com
mon people because he is Of the COM
mon people. He has seen them labor
at their tasks. and has bent his own
back in toll. He looks his fellow-men
In the eyes from the level You do not
need to strain your neck to see him.
He has never ceased to love the COM
mon man; he has never been ashamed
OF his early poverty.
I'VE hear much today of progressives.
The term has perhaps never been
clearly defined. But If YOU mean by a
progressive one who studies conditions
and, recognizing an evil, bravely seeks
for and applies a remedy, then l as
sert that this man has a record un-
surpassed.
II challenge attention to his record:
When other men bcheld the Using pow
er of financial coordination. but stood
inactive and appalled,, his clear vision
not only saw the danger, but applied
the remedy. He drew the first anu
most stringent antitrust statute ever
enacted in the United States. 1t has
stood the test of all the courts, and
become the model for other States to
follow.
Twenty four years ago he placed up
on the statute books of his State a law
guarding the secrets of the ballot.
He advocated the direct primary
system twenty years ago; and applied
1t IN his Congressional district.
1T is thirteen years since he contend
ed Tor the enactment of the most rigid
corrupt act to be found upon
the statute books.
&. Five years ago he advocated the in
itiative and referendum in his own
mt a ~ hnr q
disturbed lest the people should de-
Stroy themselves.
For Direct Elections.
"As early as 1885 he declared for the
direct election of Senators. Five times
has he voted for that measure, and 70,
years in Congress has beer it's distin-
guished advocate
During all of his long public ser.
vice. he has been one of the most val
liant champions of tariff reform.
Il place before you this record. made
not when lust Of office lures. but writ
ten in the story of the years, and grav.
en- unon the public statutes of the coun.
try: and l challenge camparison.
1t is not record of protestation and
promises, of faith without works: bul
1T is a record of performance, of faith
, crystallized into acts.
Forty yers ago, he cast his first bal.
lot: He has voted the Democratic
ilcket ever since, ana voted it straight
Minority Leader.
After the election of 1908, the Demo.
cratic Congressman selected the man
whom I shall name for minority leader
in fourteen months of time, the new
leader wrought marvellous change. The
Iron grip of Cannon was broken. 1t was
the beginning; after that. the deluse.
,,"ToWering above all Others in thai
historic fight was the great minority
leader; and we changed a Republican
majority of 3S in the House of Repub.
lcatiVes to a Democratic majority OF
b9; a Republican Senatorial majority OF
70 dwindled to .. 1t was not a battle II
was a revolution-a revolution in the
pivotal States.
1t was gained in the States which we
must win If we elect a President.
Ready for Battle.
THE army of the Democracy is form
ing in battle array The sun of hope
glorif1es 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
gates of success by a veteran grown
gray in the service. Let him continue
TO lead, and the celestial bow will be.
come an arch of triumph, beneath
which Democracy will march In glori,
Gus victory.
And so l nominate this man. who
has fought a thousand battles for De.
mocracy, and not one against heresy
who has never lowered his flag ol
asked for quarter; who has never de-
serted nor taken a furlough; who doe!
not know how to quit friend or betray
a party; whose back the enemy has
never seen. but whose breast is Gov
cred with the scars of many a harc
campaign; who leads today and who
should continue to lead-the lion oi
Democracy. Champ Clark of Missouri.