The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1916-06-23
POINTED EPIGRAMs FROM GOV. GLYNNs
KEYNOTE SPEECH WHICH STIRRED DEMO
CRATIC ASSEMBLY TO ENTHUSIASM


KEYNOTE SPEECH WHICH STIRRED DEMO
CRATIC ASSEMBLY TO ENTHUSIASM
The speech with which Ex-Governor Martin H. Glynn, of
New York, opened the Democratic convention at st. Louis on
Wednesday, was a wonderful recountlng OF a record OF epocn-
making achievements. The Temporary Chairman found nm
self addressing one of the most enthusiastic, national cOnyen-
tons ever assembled by a political party of the United states;
hin but the delegates themselves were s%pelbOund as they listen
ed to the story of what the Wilson administration has achieved.
Here are striking excerpts from the Glynn speech:
The Democratic party, in this convention assembled,
meets to perform a duty, not to itself, but to the nation.
- We have entered this hall as Democrats; we shal
deliberate and act here as Americans.
From the great pulsing heart of the nation will come a
patriot command to crush partisanship, and rebuke whatever
is mean or blind. That command will be heard by the plough
man in his field and by the laborer at his bench. 1t will reach
the merchant in his Office and the lawyer at his desk.
We assert that the policy of neutrality is as truly Ameri-
theory; America made it a fact. The first President OF the
United States was the first man to pronounce neutrality a rule
of international conduct.
For enforcing this policy of neutrality George Washington
was hooted by a bowling mob Of 10000 war tantlcs who threat
ened to pull him from the Presidential chair and start a rey0Iu-
ton. But half a century later Charles Sumner said that
Washington u%pholding the peaceful neutrality of this country,
while he met unmoved the clamor OF the people Wlckedy crying
for war. is a greater man than Washington crossing the Dele
ware or taking Corvallis sword at Yorktown"
For supporting this policy of neutrality in a speech IN the
city of New York Alexander Hamilton was stoned almost to
death, John Jay burned in efigy, Jefferson called a spineess
potroon and Lincoln pictured as a craven. Today, however,
the nation goes to all these men for its every conception of all
that is best in American citizenship.
For vainglory or for selfish purpose, others may cry up a
policy of blood and iron, but the President of the United States
has acted in the belief that the leader of the nation who plunges
washes his hands Of innocent blood while the earth quakes and
the heavens are darkened and thousands give up the ghost
Neutrality is the policy which has kept US at peace while
feet of a crucifed humanity.
Neutrality is not hair-triggered policy that explodes in
violence at the first assault. 1t is the policy that has proved
successful because it has always been asserted through nego-
titation rather than through force, through diplomacy rather
than by an appeal to arms.
This policy may not satisfy those who revel in destruction
and find pleasure in despair. 1t may not satisfy the fire eater
or the swashbuckler. But it does satisfy the mothers of the land,
at whose hearth and freside no jingoistic war has placed an
empty char. 1t does satisfy the daughters OF TINS lanq from
whom buster and brag have sent no loving brother to the dis
solution of the grave. 1t does satisfy the fathers of this land
and the sons of this land who will fight for our flag and die for
our flag when reason primes the rife; when honor draws the
sword, and when justice breathes a blessing on the standard
they uphold.
Today the prosperity which the nation enjoys bears wit
ness that Democracy has kept the faith. Today the gates of
opportunity are open; the hosts Of special privilege stand dis
armed. Today the forces of government are encouraging, not
blocking, the full expression Of the nations progress.
If this Democratic administration had performed no other
public service than the enactment Of the Federal Reserve Act,
it would deserve the unstinted approval of a grateful nation.
Truly the schoar-statesman, whose rod has
struck the golden rock Of Americas resources, to set free the
WedllHH HpIlSOuSu vi Hdll d century, 10 q NlOSC wiz no pCu
Americas industries from the wilderness Of doubt and despair
to the Promised Land of Prosperity and Hope.
The Underwood tariff enacted by this administration has
banished greed from the gates Of our ports and written justice
into our tariff schedules. Of all tariffs we ever enacted this is
the fairest and the best.
Under the present administration the United States has
enjoyed a wonderful era of good business and good times. To-
day Prosperity shines from blazing furnaces and glowing FORCES.
1t echoes from busy docks and from thronged emporiums of
trade. Its message of plenty fills the land with the chant of the
spindle and of loom, lifting the mortgage from the poor mans
home and promising his children a future that had seemed i'm
possible before.