The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-08
Tribute of Webb

James C. Webb, chairman OF the
state democratic committee, on call
ing the state convention together
in Montgomery paid stirring trib-
ute to the democratic party and
Alabama. His speech follows:
Fellow democrats: Ten fateful
years have come and gone since last
We gathered in these walls. A decade
of dazzling deeds and dire disaster
wondrous altruism and damning Ne
basement, when the fountains of HUI
man kindness seemed lost In red riv-
ers of revenge, yet, and the horror of
it all, sweet flowers of pity, patriotism
and patience shed their perfume
like a benediction upon stricken
world.
Fortunate indeed Is was that the
democratic party was at the helm, for
Its trial was it's triumph. For more
than 125 years it has been the
foundation of good government, the
palladium of our liberties. the pro-
motM and protector of our welfare,
our salvation and our hope. 1t has
seen the federalist, the whig, the
know nothing, the greenback and the
populist parties relegated to the linz
DO of things that were, and will live
and flourish after the greed, the
graft, the malice, the mendacity the
buster and the brag, the insincerity
and Incompetence, the stencil and
stupidity of the republican party
shall have become but a hideous
memory.
It's proud achievements were the
same during this trying period as
in the days of Jefferson, jackson.
Polk and Tilden, as, under the leader
ship of that man of destiny. of greas
soul, high ideals, broad vision and
unfailing patriotism-Wo odrow wiz
son-ably supported by Underwood,
Bankhead and other illustrious DEM
ocrats too numerous to mention: IL
added new stars to an already re-
splendent and imperishable crown of
glory. SO safe, so sane and SO COM
prehensive was the program of the
democratic administration from 1913
70 1871 that the country not only
enjoyed unparaled prosperity, but
won the greatest war of all time. and
from unwillingness to follow this
blazed trail, the republican admins
tration not only brought about the
greatest industrial depression in our
history, occasioning a loss of $50
900, 100000. but has forced ma
tons to the verge of bankruptcy.
and made countless millions mourn.
The best minds" have proven the
worst blinds-blnd to the plain path
of duty, and binders of the unin-
formed, shifting and drifting, drifting
and shifting, wastefully waiting Cor
something to turn up. The only re-
turn to normally" has occurred in
the republican party crowding the
pie counter and doing the same old
thing in the same old way. Whao
panacea does it offer for our woes
The incumber (Fordney- McCumber)
tariff bill, the most inquisitous
measure it has yet conceived.
Under the wool schedule we would
be taxed multiplied millions. but q
1.-THE of which the government would
receive as revenue--away with the
lFwoolga thering republicans. The
duty on hosiery would add $50 :
100000 of expense with a return to
the government of S3,600 900. and II
the ladies be deprived of their stock
ings an exposure would result that
even the hardboiled republicans
could not stand.
Tariff on corsets. $4,000, 00e. I'm,
| der proper circumstances, we shouif
! embrace the dear women, but yerilv
this is too tight a squeeze. -Four.
| teen schedules indicate a probabl,
revenue OF $240,000.000 at cost Il
the people of more than $4,000 900,
900. II it was not monstro,,sl,
tragic, it would appear supremel,
ridiculous.
Kflby md Brandon
But let us turn to a more pleasine
! picture. Our own dear state, though
| sharing in the common woe. ha,
much to be thankful for Unde
the administration of one of the hes
| governors we have ever had, she ha,
paid off large deficit, generousl,
/ provided for all her Instrumental
ties and institutions, and upheld tn,
law. Under the leadership of 'Bil
and Charlie" we are hopefully an
ticipating even better things Witt
| program of economical administra
/ ton of the affairs of state, Their
is no thought of any backward stel
! that would rebound to her injury
under the guidance of these splen
| did democrats. nominated by thu
| greatest majorities ever given an,
candidates in this state, and VIII,
have behind them an undivided an,
| unterrified democracy.
! God spake, and there was light an,
earth and sky and the waters wer,
Graded in the deep. He made tn,
| beauty of the morning. the glory o
the noontide, and evenings solemn
hush and softening glow, the tree
the flower. the bird, the beast man
1 and all the rest but when God mad,
Alabama. He did His level best.
More coal than Pennsylvania, NOR,
| iron than Illinois. more marble thar
Tennessee, more granite than Yer.
mont, greater forests than Michigan
faR