The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
He Smiles Himself Into the Heart of Maryland's
 Democracy
IS ALSO IGNORED BY
 THE REPUBLICANS
Calls Informally on Governor Colds borough and Visits Carvel Hall. Howard Pleased at Georgia
 Outlook for Underwood
BY WALTER HARPER

BY WALTER HARPER
 Annapolis, Md, March e5.-(Special)- Oscar Underwood smiled and bowed him. self into the hearts of Marylands democ- racy in series of informal functions here tonight.
 He was also honored by the republican citizens and officials of the state. Mr. Underwood had persistently declined to make a formal address before the Mary land legislature, as he has declined all invitations of the kind since the open ing of tho present session of Congress, but agreed to come to Annapolis tonight to meet the people informally.
 Legislature Recesses
 At o'clock both houses of the legsla- tnre. holding night sessions, recessed for 10 minutes each to give the members an opportunity to shake hands with the dem ocratic leader.
 Following this reception luncheon was given at the Hotel Carvel. A number of short addresses were made. all strong in their approval of MT. underwoods record and enthusiastic as to his availability for the presidency.
 Underwood Responds
 In response Mir Underwood said:
 T want to thank all of my friends at this time for H'he support they have given and are giving me. l am, it seems, in the race for the presidential nomina- ton and while | came here with the distinct understanding that l was not to make an address ] cannot help but ex- press my feeling of appreciation at your kindness and that of my friends all over the country" N
 That was as far as he would 70. Not once did he dwell on the political 'ssues of the day CT his campaign, but ti,at ever present smile benefited him just as much as any political speech ever made.
 Littleton Lauds Underwood
 And in his address Congressman Lit tleton said:
 What does the presidential office de- mand? What sort of man should be called to fill it?l Should he come as the result of whim, passion or caprice Should he be the accident, which results rom tias cofnpr-ft,. r Of old sfuoges, ancient enmities or party quarrels? Shos;d he spring from any extreme of American life?
 .'Our first answer 10 this is that he should and must be d democrat--a demo- orat in all that is implied by that term,
 
 sauarely on the foundation stones of our great constitutional government and who challenges every human being who dares to lay his hand in violence on the ark of the covenant-who dares to threat en the fibre of our great free govern- ment; a democrat who, as to all economic questions. knows that with the changing miracle of our great industriaism no real statesm2n can strap himself to some un- alterable creed; but must hold an open, free and just mind, ready and willing and still more, unafraid to meet and grapple with the new and changing proo- lems which our great civilization pre- sents.
 Must Not Seek Office
 He must not seek the office for the grim spoilation of politics. nor under the spur of mad or misguided ambition but if he holds himself in readiness to take it at all he does so under the con vction that while he promotes his per- sonal prestige, above this he seizes upon an opportunity to serve his country. .'He can well have the boise and bal ance of q Mckinley; the stubborn courage of a Cleveland; the public experience of a Blaine. the quiet and unteriified cour- age of a real American.
 He may come from the south north. the cast or west and neither shall accuse the other on that account. The country
 
 of yesterday and lies today in the spirit of a great republic.
 Tn all of these respects measuring up to the detail of these particulars, fitting and filling all these requirements is the simple. well balanced. patriotic young American from Alabama, Oscar W. Un- derwood"
 MT. Howard Speaks
 MT. Howard of Georgia said that the time had come for the south to assert itself and demand it's rghtfu place in the government of this country.
 And it is fortunate that just at this time the south has the man to take the leadership" said he. Underwood IS truly the man of the hour. He IS the man who has made and represents the issue that will divide the two great parties this year
 .He is in the same position as was William Mckinley when he defeated l3ry- ar Then the tariff was the issue. as 1t IS now. As chairman of the ways and means committee he made and represented the issue He was the logical candidate for tho republicans at that time Then the protective idea was the more popular. To-day the people have reyolted and the democratic idea of tariff for reve- nue only will win. MT. Underwood rep resents that issue and is the logical can- didate.
 Tt Is fortunate that he is big enough and broad enough to answer all the de- mands. He Is the greatest leader in the party today.
 There are no longer any sectional lines fin this country and when the democrats come to select their true leader they will ask no questions about his residence" ..Georgia does not claim the right to nominate q democratic candidate for President but we will claim the honor to second his nomination. They say that southerner cannot be elected. Why not?
 Not after % years of waiting and ser vice and fidelity to the democratic party? Not after holding that party together in dark years. when men were wandering to the worship of strange political gods? ''rhe empire state of the south holds out her arms to Maryland and asks that this great state clasp hands with her In nominating for President man who shall lead us tc victory, Oscar w. Under wood''
 MT. Redfeld, in short speech. paid fine tribute to the leadership of MT. Underwood in the House
 Accompanied by Committee
 Arriving at Annapolis at 3:3o. Mir. m derwood called on Governor Goldsborou-h and other state ot ssials informally and