The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-26
Gives His Reasons for OPP
posing Selection of the
National Committee
SAYS HE TRIED TO
HAVE HARMONY
Kern Has Been Faithful is Years, He
Says, and Has Led Fight of Pro-
Observation-Disclosures Take
Measures of Democrats

Baltimore. June. 25-w. ]. Bryan was
received with cheering and applause when
he arose to nominate John w. Kern.
When quiet was restored he said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: I rise to
place in nomination for the OFFICE of tenn
porary chairman of this convention the
name of John w Kern of Indiana And
in thus dissenting from the Judgment of
our national committee as expressed in
its recommendation. 1 recognize that the
burden of proof Is upon me to overthrow
the assumption that the committee can
claim that ii is representing the wishes
OF this convention and of the party of
the nation.
Il call your attention to the fact that
our rules provide that the recommenda-
tion of the committee is not final. re-
mind you that the very fact that this
convention has the right to accept or re-
ject that recommendation is conclusive
proof that the presumption in favor of
this convention is a higher assumption
than that In favor of the wisdom of the
committee
IF any of you ask me for my creden-
tials. If any Of YOU inquire why l, mere
delegate to this convention from one of
the smaller states. should presume to
present name and ask you to accept 1t
in place of another name. I beg to tell
you If II needs 10 be told, that in three
campaigns | have been the champion of
the democratic party's principles Zap
plause). And that in three campaigns l
have received the votes Of 100000 Of GEM
ocrats tapplause).
Confidence Carries Responsibility
III that Is not proof have the conf
dence of the party OF this nation shall
not attempt to furnish proof. remind
you that confidence reposed in a human
being carries with 1t certain responsible
ties and I would not be worthy of the
confidence and the affection that has been
showered upon me by the democrats of
tbs nation II were not willing to risk
humiliation in their defense. (Applause.)
recognize that man cannot carry on
a political warfare in defense of the mass
of the people for 16 years without maxi
ing enemies, and l recognize that there
has been no day since the day / was
have not been industrious In their efforts
10 attack me from every standpoint
Cheers and applause)
"The fact that l have lived is proof
that have not deserted the people tpro-
longed applause). If for moment had
forgotten them they would not have re-
membered me. take for my text this
day the text that the committee has been
kinds enough to place upon the walls for
my use:
8 He never sold the truth to serve the
hour prolonged cheers and applause
That is the language of the hero of Month
cello, and l would not be worthy of the
support have received II we're willing
20 sell the truth to serve the present
hour. prolonged cries OF Good boy and
applause) We are told by those who sup
port the committees Recommendation that
* Is distributing harmony to oppose their
conclusions. Let me free myself from any
heretofore nr may attempt hereafter.
Tried for Harmony
us there any other delegate in this
body of more than 1000 who have tried
~ rider thar, myself to harmonic all
things? (cries no. began several
weeks ago I announced TO the sub-com-
rnittee that I would not be candidate for
temporary chairman Cheers and ap-
plause); might have asked for 1t without
presumption that at the end of ~ years
of battle when I find the things l have
fought for not only triumphant In my
own party (prolonged applause); but even
in the republican party (Applause) I'm
der these conditions | might have asked
tt.. orf
standing before this committee G nd voie-
ing the Joy OF my party before this CON
vention.( Applause.) But | was more in
terested in harmony than / was In the
chance to speak TO this conventions; not
oily that but / advised this national COM
mittee TO consult the two leading candi-
dates. The men who together have nearly
tvo-thrds ~ this convention instructed
for them I asked the committee to con-
gait these two men and get their approval
of some mans nomination that there
might lie no contest in this convention.
prolonged applause)
my friends. what suggestion could
have then made more In the interest OF
harmony than TO ask this committee to
allow two-thirds of this convention voice
in the selection or it's temporary Chairman.
prolonged applause) In the discussion
before the subcommittee the friends of
Mr. Clark and Mr.. Wilson were not able
to agree; one supported Mr.. James and
the other supported Mr.. Henry. but in the
full committee last night the friends of
Mr.. Wilson joined with the friends OF Mr.
Clark In the support of Mr.. James. Mr..
cIarks choice. and the committee turned
down the joint request thus rendered.
(Applause) | submit to you the plan pre-
sented. the plan that I followed was the
plan for the securing OF harmony and
the plan which the committee followed
was not designed 10 secure harmony
(ApplauseJ Let me for a moment n-~~ca
she qualifications of one fitt' fpr tffs
position This Is no ordnar ceeaflon
This is an epoch making convf7 ftp-
plauseo We have had such a Ftf1Eait &
was never seen in politics beft
Knows Something of lish
Il have been In the center o4 lxf1
and know something Of the rage est
II has brought forth and SO .tlrs
the sacrifice that has been rs
Continued On Page Fos rfeen