The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-28
OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD
w. b. Bankhead Calls Him Dcmoc-
racy's Real Leader.


Baltimore, June 2S.-Democracy'
real leader and best asser invulnerable
in his record of long public service,
imperturbable in action and impregna-
hle in honor. and blameless in his pri-
waite life, was the way Oscar w. Unaer-
wood of Alabama was described to the
convention by William B. Bankhead
of Alabama, who nOmina ted Mr.. I'm
derwood for the presidency.
After declaring that the Republican
party had become, in the hours of its
present deg eneracy, the embodiment
of complacent incompetency and bro
ken faith" and that, althC ugh it claim
ed to be the protector of labor, the
fruits of labor have been gathered as
dividends by illegal combinations in
restraint of trade" Mr.. Bankhead as
serted that the Democratic party had
been acting safely and conservatively-
Then, going on to describe the quail
ties needed in a leader who would car
ry the Democratic party to success ne
said it would be logical to put Mr.. I'm
derwood in command of the forces in
that battle where his brilliant achieve
merits already had created Democ-
racy's opportunity and redeemed
Democratic pledges. The chief issue
before the country, he said, was the
tariff; and Mr.. Underwood has fought,
with the foresight of a patriotic states
man, and VIII continue to fight for
lower cost of living, for an equal OPP
portunity fer all men through the en-
actment OF new and righteous tariff. .
The SUM total of Republican
declared Mr.. Bankhead, has been the
further impoverishment of the poor.
plus a placid tariff board whose de-
liberations give no reasonable promise
of relief from the present lnbearable
burdens He attacked the Republic
can campaign as a 'humiliating spec
tacie of a TRADE of recriminatfons. In
which the high ideals Of statesman
lit 70 he ind
One benefit of this, he said. was
that it had brought 1.-The dawning of
that good day when the people are to
restore to full power and responsibility
the Democratic party, which has made
it evident that it intends to serve the
real interests of the people if it can be
given full opportunity tc redeem its
solemn pledges.
Success Within Grasp.
"The acts of the Democratic party
he continued, have appealed to the
judgment of the country as wise, con-
sentative and yet safe and progressive. ,
Although success, under right con-
ditions, is within our grasp" he warn
ed, never has it been more essential
than now for us to nominate our best
and strongest man. There is no safe
ty in picking our nominee in hap
hazard fashion from among those VINO
possess this or that special gift, I'M
less it has some intimate relation to
the requirements of an eXacting cam
paign to 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 par
amount issue is, that part of the plat 3
form lust adopted dealing with this
question should resolve ell his doubts.
The Democratic party, true to its best
traditions as the servant of the people,
has pledged itself to revision OF the
tariff, fair to the manufacturer but
e., n mr. q h.
lie There are other issues, but Tor
the time our platform makes it clear
that they are subordinate.
so unjust is the present tariff that
no one, Democrat or Republican, to-
dav -dares rise up and defend its fur
Their continuance, for it stands for in
dustrial favoritism and Industrial
bondage, and for prosperity winch IS
artificial and spasrnod1c, ana not reai
and enduring.
: 'sWhat manner of man then" he ask
ed "shall this convention raise up to
be its standard bearer? He should have
had political training and experience,
for these are almost as essential quail
fcations in a nominee for the presi-
dency as are the clinic and classroom
for the physician and surgeon. Without
any pretentious parade of the virtue,
he should be progressively conservative
and conservatively progressive.
He must be well-balanced, thought
full. deliberative: and yet, in ability to
inspire enthusiasm among his fellows
be a natural leader of men. While he
must be popular, he must possess that
enduring popularity which has for as
sure foundation established character
and true worth: and he must be ready
to serve in command or in the ranks
He must have the capacity to win grea'
honors for the Democratic party, and
so establish 1t in the public confidence
that the people will grant to 1t long
tenure of Office.
His affability as a candidate cannot
be questioned. 1t is gratifying to those
who know the generous hearts of the
American people to appreciate the fact
that sectional differences are forgotten
and the once-called Mason and Dix
on's line has long since been tramped /
out by the footsteps of friendly in |
tercourse and commercial relations.
Our candidate is a master of every
detail of tariff legislation, upon which
hangs our reasonable hope of relief
from insufferable conditions Nomi-
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
reputation is not the creation of
growth of eighteen years of splendid
service in congress eliminating in ,
conceded party leadership.
He is man who in moral action is
bound by the Ten Commandments; in
debate by dignity and decorum: In
intercourse by gentleness and candor;
in victory by modesty and magma
nimity; in action by prudence and I
courage; in government by the con-
stitution and law. He can counsel
haughtiness and reprove without !,
scorn. He fears no mans censure /
but inspires every mans respect.
knowing him blame1ess in his pri-
vate life invulnerable in the record of
long public service, imperturbable in
IT,