Milford chronicle., 1922-03-03
UNCLE TED'S
BEDTIME STORIES
FIFTY YEARS OF REPUBLICAN
SERVICE


Ruth, think that instead of going
to the movies tonight it would be do
ing a real nice thing if we went right
upstairs where your brother is sick,
and I'll tell you both a story" Ruth
had been teasing Uncle Ted for a
trip to the movies after having been
in the house for several days with a
bod cold. Jack was still laid up in
his bed, with DOCTORS orders not to
move out of there for three more
days.
"All right, Uncle Ted" said Ruth.
"I'll try to be good once anyway. But
l HAVE been in the house a long
time"
"Yes, Ruth, but think how long
Jack has been in and you know what
it means to be left alone in your room
when you're half sick and half we'll"
So up the stairs they went and
Jack was more than glad to see them.
Jack, we're going to stay with you
tonight, after all, and I'll try to tell
YOU another story. 1t is about a man
who has served his country in Con-
gress longer than any other member.
1 know you both have heard and read
many times of Uncle joe Cannon, the
veteran member of Congress from
the State of Illinois, whose full name
is Joseph Gurney Cannon. Uncle Joe
is not only dear to the hearts of those
people in the 18th Illinois district
whom he has represented in Congress
for so long a time but to practically
everyone in this big country of ours.
ION February 18th, on what he eX-
planned was the golden anniversary
of his first election to Congress, after
a service of 46 years, he addressed an
open letter to his fellow Republicans
of the district he represents stating
that he felt the time had come when
old heads should give way to young
and alert minds and strong bodies.
Although his letter has been printed
many times since then l consider at
least parts of it important enough
from many angles to read you now.
He wrote: You have hOnOred me with
unparalleled confidence for full half
century, and I appreciate that conf
dence more than can express. l have
tried to merit it, but it has been said
that all who grow, grow old, and
while 1 hope 1 have grown in wis
dom, I realize that I have grown old
in years. In another part of his let |
ter he said: I shall not be drone, 1 |
hone. but a citizen in the ranks, one |
of the plain, loyal Republicans of the |
Eighteenth District, doing all in my |
power to support the party and the |
policie sthat have in the last so years
added so much to the prosperity and
happiness of the American people and
given their government such a COM
manding place among the nations and
peoples of the civilized world. l hope
to live to see even greater develop
ment under these policies than that in
which have had part in the House,
"For you two young people who Will
take your places as representative
citizens of this country before many
years, there could be nothing better
than to study that last part of Uncle
Joe Cannon's letter, and then study
his life. Think of seeing your govern
ment progress and your party go
ahead through fifty years of service.
He sees the country going forward
under Republican guidance and al
though he is giving way for a young
er man to be selected next April, he
intends to keep active as good Am
erican citizen and member of the Re-
publican party. 1t should be an inspi-
ration to all young people to study the
life of Uncle Joe and his years of hard
and ernest service to his country and
partv. He believes in service through
party. His firm belief in this, and the
results of his work, prove that by
service to party and the cooperation
which naturally follows, real benefits
to the country as whole are brought
about. Uncle Joe has watched through
the years the growth of the Republ1- {
can party. He knows what happiness
and prosperity have resulted from the
work of that party, and the adoption
of it's policies. He can go into private
life with feeling of pride, satisfac- !
lion. and cOntentment for the work ac- : :
complished and in the process of ac-
eomplishment
"He will not pass out Of the news .7
because he is too active man for
hat. He will not cease to be of ser :
vice to his country any more than :
Elihu Root who, although retired :
from public office some years ago, has !
always been ready to serve and VINO :
las Just completed a real service as
!, member of the American delegation :
% the arms conference. =
''Now, Ruth, we had better let Jack .
urn over and go to sleep. Goodnight" .