Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-05-04
SPLENDID INDIVIDUAL MANHOOD
A Glowing Tribute to a Manly Man
BY Ex-Governor VIM. A. Mac
corkie, Acting For His Sen.
atoriaI Colleagues.

That is, sir, amidst the strenuosity OF
our political life we can touch one an
other IN that personal contact which
brings men together along the lines OF
high personality, splendid character
and kiudliness Of feeling one to the
other This characteristic OF our gov.
eminent Is the one great predominant
feature Of American life. This marks
the difference between the democra.
cieg, the old free governments OF
Rome, Athens aud Italy, and the re-
publican government Of our country.
This characteristic which allows us,
amidst the conflict of political life,
amidst the absolute contrariety of
opinion, TO see in our opponents high
character, pure patriotism and kindly
personal traits is the great feature
which win preserve this republican
government as the chiefest and best
heritage which has ever fallen to man.
1t is pleasant, sir, to understand that
amidst the marvels and wonders OF
earth and mountain, grander and more
splendid than our wealth of valley,
higher and better than all OF the
wealth which flows from the bosom
Of our state. there is something su.
perior to an, and that is, the high and
splendid character of our citizenship.
| repeat. sir, it is absolutely essential
to the preservation of republican in
stitutions.
The great governments of other days
have looked too often to the concrete
idea Of great wealth and the magnif-
ceuce of material power. The Amer
lean government is founded upon the
one supreme ideal, the character of its
manhood. 1t Is a great, splendid
manhood. II Is a more essential ele-
ment in the preservation of free gov
ernment than all the wealth of Col
conda, all the oil which flows from the
bosom of our rich state, and all the
diamonds which glisten on the African
mountains or Brazilian valleys. 9th
or governments have founded their
life upon the elements of material
wealth. The hope and life of the
American government is upon the
splendor of its individual manhood.
1t gives me pleasure. sir, democrat
as / am, to speak these words to you,
the leader of the opposition in this
senate. These words come not from
the lips, and | believe that represent
ing my party associates on this moor,
they come from our hearts.
If you will allow me little touch OF
the personal element, | wish to say
that being chosen by my associates to
address you today brings more thar
ordinary pleasure to me, | was your
fathers friend for quarter of cen,
fury, and in the oden days when
rode the circuit he called me Mac"
and called him Elias" and if to-day
my old friend was here and could wit
ness this testimonial to the courage
and character, the splendid manhood
of his son, the tears of pride would
course down his cheeks, and his old
heart would throb with conscious pride
that his son has arisen to the position
fellow members in the highest legisla-
tive body of his state could be so
truthfully spoken. Surely, were he
here he would be touched with the
fact that amidst the contrarieties of po-
litical life, his son has arisen to the
high position where his character can
be honored alike by democrats and
republicans. Sir, there is one thing
that all of us love-a man of charac.
ter He is supreme in our life, and
when think of it my mind goes back
to the days of old Rome, and | am re-
TO Conelia and said. "Oh, Cornelia.
give us your jewels" Holding her
sons out In front of her she said,
These, oh, Romans, are my jewels"
And so here, to-day, we of West Vir.
ginia, present to the world the highest
and best product of our Institutions
a manly man.
We on this side, and, I believe, those
on the other side, can say that above
the temptations of political desire,
above the strenuous feelings evoked
by this most exciting session, that in
the Hlsu pOsiliOh yOu OCNupys the SEE
ond highest position In the gift of the
state, that you have been fair, honest,
capable and courteous, and If there is
any one in this senate who can com.
plain of any unfair treatment or ruling
or discourteous act which you have
committed in these days in which you
have presided over this senate, | have
never heard reference to it. do not
believe that any one feels that you
have been otherwise than the manly
man, the dignified presiding officer and
the courteous gentleman I'm everything
which you have done and said in this
| session | do not know, in my some.
what long experience in these mat.
| tiers, whore a presiding officer has had
more trying experience than have
Won ia This session. A senate evenly