The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-28
Underwood Named
by Vim. B. Bankhead

real leader and best asset, invulner-
aEle in his record of long public SER
vice. imperturbable in action and inn
pregnable in honor and blameless IN
his private life. was the way in which
oscar w. Underwood. of Alabama.
was described to the convention by
VIM. b. Bankhead. of Alabama, who
nominated Mr.. Underwood for the
presidency
After declaring that the Republican
party had become. In the hours of
its present degeneracy. tae embodi-
ment OF complaccnt incompetency
and broken faith and that, although
1t claimed to be the protector OF
| labor. the fruits OF labor have been
gathered as dividends b. illegal COM
b!nat!ons in restraint or trade AIR.
Bankhead asserted that the Demo-
| cratic party had been acting safely
and coHservatively.
Then. going OH TO describe the
qualities needed in a leader who could
carry the Democratic party to sue
cess he said II would be logical TO
put Mr.. Underwood in command OF
the forces in that battle where his
brilliant achievements already had
created Democracys opportunity and
redeemed Democratic pledges. The
| chief issue before the country, he
said. was the tariff; and Mr.. Under
wood has fought. with the foresight
! of patriotic statesman. and will
continue to fight for lower cost of
living. for equal opportunity for
all men through the enactment of a
! new and righteous tariff"
The sum total Of Republican
achievements since the last election.
| declared Mr.. Bankhead. mas been the
| further impovcrishment of the poor,
| plus a placid tariff board whose de-
| llbcrations give no reasonable promise
of relief from the present unbeara bl e
burdens" He attacked the Repub-
lican campaign "humiliating
spectacle OF TRADE of determinations.
IN which the high ideals of states
manship had been thrown to the
| winds"
One benefit OF this. he said, was that
IT had brought the dawning of that
good day when the people are to re-
store TO full power and responsibility
the Democratic party. which has made
il evident that it intends TO serve the
real interests of the people II it can
be given full opportunity to redeem
its solemn pledges
| The acts OF the Demo cratic party"
he continued. have appealed to the
| Judgment OF tho country as wise con-
| servative, and yet safe and progress
| sive.
Although success. under right con-
dtions. il within our grasp" he
warned. never has It been more es-
sential than now for lis to nominate
our best and strongest man. There is
no safety IN picking our nominee in
haphazard fashion from among those
who possess this or that special gift.
unless 1t has some intimate relation
to the requirements OF an eXacting
campaign. 10 the chief issue before
the people, and to the duties and needs
OF our greatest executive office
If any Intelligent. loyal Democrat
entertains doubts as to what that
paramount issue Is, that part OF the
platform just adopted dealing with
this question should resolve all his
doubts. The Democratic party. true
TO Its best traditions as the servant of
the people. has pledged itself to a re-
vision OF the tariff. fair to the manu-
facturer. but fair also to the consum-
err and the public, There are other
Issues. but for the time our platform
makes II clear that they are subordi-
| nate
so unjust is the present tariff that
no one, Democrat or Republican. to-
day dares rise UP and defend Its
further continuance. for 1t stands for
Industrial favoritism and industrial
bondage. and for n prosperity which
is artificial and spasmodic, and not
real and enduring"
What manner OF man then" he
asked. shall this convention raise up
TO be It's standard beamr? He should
have had political training and ex-
perience. for these are almost as es-
sential qualifications in a nominee for
the presidency as are the clinic and
classroom for the physician and sur
seon. without any pretentious parade
of the virtues. he should be progress
cively conservative and conservatively
progressive"
He must be we'll balanced, thought
full. deliberative; and yet, in ability
TO inspire enthusiasm among his fell
lows be natural leader of men.
While he must be popular, he must pos
aess that enduring popularity which
has for its sure foundation establish
ed character and true worth and he
must be ready to serve in command or
| In the ranks. He must have the capacity
to win great honors for the Demo-
| cratic party. and so establish 1t in the
public confidence that the people will
| grant to II long tenure of Office"
Ills availability as a candidate can
not he questioned. 1t is gratifying to
those who know the generous hearts
| of the American people to apprec iate
the fact that sectional differences are
forgotten. and the once-called Ma son
and Dixons line has long since been
tramped out by the footsteps of friend :
| ly intercourse and commercial rela-
| tons"
! Our candidate Is a master OF every
detail of tariff legislation. upon which
| hang our reasonable hope of relief
| from insuferable conditions. Nom!
nate him. and the platform. instead OF
being so much party declaration, will
| become the creed of a waiting people.
Nominate him. because his sterling rep
utation is not the creation OF ii day
| or night, but the sure AID steady
growth of eighteen years OF splendid
| service in Congress, eliminating In
| conceded party leadership"
| He is g. man who in moral action
| Is bound by the Ten Comman INFANTS