The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-26
ROOT IS HAILED
FOR PRESIDENT
BY REPUBLICANS
Solid Support Pledged At
Philadelphia Meeting If
He Will Run.
HE EvADES THIS ISSUE
SENATOR OLIVER IN SPEECH
FLAWS THE DEMOCRATIC
ADMINISTRATION.

| PHILADELPHIA. Pa. March 20
Elihu Root. of New York, ex-United
1 States senator from that state, was
| honored Tuesday night as the FIRST
/ citizen Of the Republic" by the most
I historic organization of this historic
1 city. the Union League
! And this First Citizen of the Re-
/ public" as he was called by Senator
George T. Oliver of Pennsylvania. was
! not honored in that respect alone, bv
the 1.50O men who grasped his hand.
| lie was hailed by those staunch Re-
| publicans. the leaders of Republican
| ism. as the man. should he say the
word, who above all others would
carry the standard of the party TO vic
tory in 1916.
Urged to Run.
Senator Oliver put TIE 1916 presi-
dental nomination up TO Mr.. Root IL
these words:
My friends, this great American is
our guest tonight. When ] contem-
plate his character and reflect on our
country's need l am filled with re-
greet that we cannot stay the hand OF
time as Joshua of old babe the sun
and moon to stand still in their
courses; for if he were ten years
younger. or even today il he would say
, the word, in spite of the burden OF
his three score years and ten, there
would be little controversy about who
should carry the Republican standard
10 victory in next years contest.
!, ras,,o ~,
~ n5SpoHSe 70 lhiS greeilhs the
| leader In Tho nendin% FONT IN 20.
markable address; raaIIy in.narrotod
,vbar liz declared .bCrII .,rSa, 80 =
rational eaucationaI ran,na;on -
stamp out sectianai cont-nversy sns.
picion and distrust or husinnss ord w.
Ietrinent.I results ~ 80 n1I;niac ~
n hostile rovnrnmen, yhich tnows
nothing NJ businnss ana ,;;scards ,i,n
Testimony OF men who know and cor.
duct husi,nss
,r-,,i,,,, ~ N .S:....l:'
80, aI,.s tIe hlstoFT anu Struggles
~. ~ ~ " ne isspupcan apr!
..ts Iiiiie VI iy.IlSotll, tHIs HEst I'VE
rSo ,,,a ne sounaeu stern warning
20 Tue uienpers OF tne Union League
80 80, asa.n tnGs must race the stress
.I ~ 49,, so - " ua,.le II 1neS Mo4la see
S,.iiOi ~ ssei ven a1u IlIolVtGual III
+ upsiiasitee W essIfeu rom the de-
ssaS .! = So.''Loiiiis part! Deht upon
ISs u,atLoi " al business party
Mnicm sup!ccLs men 70 suspicion and
po'lc! when IS Fesponsioie Tor inc
ph' EesL,ahGs anu unrest.
~ oi,'on league mas honored
,haAH men presidents caD.hct mem
DeFS' prospective presidents, states
men u az ranks ana types. But II
CONF RED an unusual. d:stinct honor
upon Ei"u noot lonlsht.
Given League Medal.
President John Gribbcl. holding the
gold medal of the Union League in his
hand. told the ex-senator that it was
the pleasure of the members OF the
club to express their deep apprecia-
ton OF his services to the nation by
presenting it to him. And then turn
! ing to the members. he said that the
first Union League medal was given
to Abraham Lincoln and that the
medal presented to Mr.. Root was
struck from the dye which the Lin
coin medal was struck.
Mr.. Root" he said, "you will be
the last man to receive a medal struck
from that dye. because we found,
when this medal was removed, that
the dye was broken"
The reception was held in the AS
sembly room of the club. A platform.
banked with palms and flowers and
draped in flags was erected at the
entrance. When the members were
seated. Mr.. Gribbel led Mr.. Root
through the room and to the platform
Senators Oliver and Smoot. with John
Wanamaker, Joined them.
Recalls Mckinley.
"As / came to this CITY tonight. said
Mr.. Root. 81 reflected upon the past
and nv thoughts turned back to the
DAYS OF President Mckinley and I re.
member that Mckinley was elected
to his high office by the business men
of this country. The men who placed
him in that office wera the men who
carried ON the great industries OF this
great nation.
"How great has been the change