The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-19

when the people elected the old Roman
from Dallas to the Senate
These examples, very reccrtly in slo-
rious evidence among us right here in
Alabama, are only typical of cases that
can be presently cited in which the charse
of veneration is not accepted a bar
TO the promotion of men who are marked
for the highest order of public service.
For Illustration, Governor Harmon of
Ohio, OF the identical age If Captain
Kolb. is today one of the most active
and formidable figures in cur national
public life. and was. as Is known.
favorite contestant for the presidential
nomination in the Baltimore democratic
convention. with no taunt OF disquali-
fcation for the honor he sought on ac-
count of his age. Governor McCreary.
governor of Kentucky 81 years ago and
now the present executive Of that com
monwealth. is four years CAPTAIN Kolbs s
senior. and at his present age is candi-
date for senatorial election with his
chance for that high honor guaranteed
in the confidence and affections of the
people of Kentucky. whose feeling for
their veteran statesman Is not qualified
by the objections to gray hairs and spec
tacled eyes.
Only instances of modern note are these.
The list could be multiplied indefinitely
to show that the Osler theory has never.
and does not yet apply a political
axiom and that men whom the people
wish to serve them In times of need are
not stabbed like superannuated horses
nor junk-heaped for wear and tear like
discarded garment rusty iron.
But if there were no precedents to
qualify Captain Kolb in the privilege
of running for governor at an age that
makes him a senior to his opponents.
he presents in his own person and ex-
perience the strongest and most con-
elusive answer to the objection In his
remarkably preserved vigor and robust
manhood. For so years a physician has
not attended him TO administer against
the things that age men through sick
ness and disease and during these long
years he has been blessed with remark
able health that has enabled him to
serve his state In war and In peace,
upon conspicuous lines of responsible
itv and trust. Today he is as strong
physically and mentally as most men
far younger in years, and with far
smaller demands upon them to test tho
power and prowess of real manhood. II
physical characteristics are to be
weighed as candidatorial qualifications
in this campaign, Captain Kolb is will
ing to measure claims with those of
any of his distinguished opponents. Not
one of them is likely to assume wider
scope of hard campaign work In their
own persons. cover more territory In
carrying their message to the people,
nor equal his marvellous energy in per-
sonally seeing that the people are en-
lightened and instructed on the real is
sues of this canvass.
None of these distinguished gentle
men wear the deep blushing rose OF
youth upon them with such conspic-
uousness as to notably contrast with
the freshness of the laurels that the
dews of time have kept green upon the
L. I,x-o o,,i1 10 ht,t au t-a11
physically preserved. competitor, and
Captain Kolb can wish his campaign
rivals no better luck than that they
will be able in this canvass to maintain
the pace to which his example has
gated them.
In his mentality he is not whit
less spry and active than in his re-
markable physical preservation. II Cap
tain Kolb has a more generous share
of the years than his competitors he
likewise boasts with these years the
wisdom and experience they have
brought, and that best fit him to cope
with the profound responsibilities that
are to heavily rest upon what ought to
be tried and tested shoulders for the
next four administrative years in Ala
bama.
The opinion is ventured. based upon
general observation and inquiry that
there are more young men enlisted for
Captain kolb In thls f1ght than Tor any
other candidate in the field. There are
thousands of youthful voters just at
tanning their majorities all over Ala
bama. sons of men who have shared
with Captain Kolb the glories of the
battlefield. and who have elbowed with
him in meeting the call of public duty
in struggles of more peaceful, II yet
stormy, times, who Will esteem 1t
prideful privilege in the coming pri-
mary to cast their maiden votes in tes
timony of this old Roman, whose arm
has never vet been lowered In defense
of the traditions they cherish and in
acknowledgement Of the debt that Ala
bama owes him. At least, and surely, to
these, the years of Captain Kolb in
stead of being a reproach and handi-
cap. rivet the produest claim and fur
nish the strongest proof why his sun
should set in the splendor of crown
ing victory.