The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-05
Governor O'NeaPs Address

The governor spoke as follows:
no people have ever reached a high
state or civilization that did not cherish
the memories of their fllustrious dead.
Greclan and Roman sculpture has pre-
served the lineaments of those heroes of
ancient times, who in peace or in war
have rendered the greatest service to their
country.
In every great museum, in bronze or
in marble, the familiar features of those
men who have played the most conspicli-
Gus part in human history from the DAYS
of remote antiquity to the present time
look down upon us recalling the great
deeds they wrought in peace and in war
for the advancement of their country and
the human race.
THE first mark of decadence of any
nation is found when it becomes so COM
mercialized, so enervated by luxury and
ease as to neglect and forget to pay
proper homage and tribute to it's heroes or
those who have won by their services to
the state the highest distinction and
honor.
City Peculiarly Fortunate
The city of Selma has been peculiarly
fortunate in having been the home of two
men who both in war and in peace served
their state and country faithfully and
well, and whose names have been enrolled
among that small band of immortals who
were not born to die. Here, among the
people they loved so well, their ashes rest
in peace, and it is but fitting that here
should be erected joint monument to
commemorate the virtues and mighty
deeds of both Senators Morgan and Pet
tus. In war they bravely fought for the
cause we loved and side by side after
the close OF that mighty conflict they led
our people in their struggles TO maintain
their civilization and preserve their con-
rights, and in the Senate of
the United States as co-laborers, by their
statesmanship, their profound learning,
their lofty ideals and their brilliant at
tainments they reflected glory alike upon
our state and our nation.
Associated together at the bar, on
the hustings, leaders of our people
during the stormiest political era In tho
state and nations history and col
leagues in the Senate, 1t is most fitting
and appropriate that their statues
cast in heroic mold, should stand here
side by side-typical of the warm per-
sonal friendship which united them in
life-a permanent memorial of the love
and admiration of the people among
whom they lived and whom they served
so long and faithfully.
There are but few within the sound
of my voice, who did not know and
love these men, and l am sure that no
true Alabamian, can but feel that their
simple but noble lives. their lofty char
acters, their unselfish devotion to duty
and their splendid service to the state
and the nation have given an added
glory TO the history of our common
country, have intensified our patriot
ism, elevated our ideals and inspired
us to greater and more unselfsh SER
live.
'Your committee has graciously re-
quested me, however, to deliver an ad-
dress on this occasion on the life and
character of John r. Morgan Another
and more eloquent speaker will present
TO your, consideration the distinguishing
characteristics of Senator Edmond w
Pettus. While l knew and loved both
these men my PERSONAL relations with
Senator Morgan We're more intimate
When a mere youth I had the honor
of joining him in many of his cam
paigns, and when his election to the
Senate was contested it was my pleas.
ure to lead the fight in my section OF
the state for his reelection.
Character of Morgan
NO man during our generation, by
his commanding talents, his broad pat
riotism, his wide information, his pro-
found knowledge of constitutional law,
his deep learning, the purity of his
public and private life and by his long
and distinguished public service, his
complete independence of thought and
action ever occupied a more conspicu-
Gus PLACE in the confidence and respect
of the American people than John r.
Morgan OF Alabama.
Since the close of the civil war he