Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-03
Davis Final Is
appeal to Reason
And to Conscience"

New York, Nov. 1.-Candidate Johh
W. Davis summed-up his case tonlSne
and rested his campaign for the presa-
dency, so far as he personally is con-
cerned. with the jury 'of American
voters.
His closing argument. delivered In
Carnegie Hall here. was an "appeat 10
reason and conscience rather than TO
prejudice" Mr.. Davis said.
And. on that plane. he chose to await
the verdict to be returned by the jury
November 4, the result OF which Will
return him again to private life or
give him the >reins ,of government for
four years beginning March 4. next.
Summing-up his arguments in be-
half of the democratic national ticket.
headed by himself and Governor
Charles W. Bryan, Mr.. Davis told his
audience the decision before the coun-
try could not be left TO impulse but
should lie arrived at ''soberly, rever-
emily and In the fear of God
"We are here tonight" he said in
his opening remarks, ION serious bust
ness. We have reached the end of the
campaign; and on Tuesday next the
people of New York will choose those
who are TO serve them for the next
two years. and the citizens OF the
United States will mark out the course
they are to follow for a four-year
term. In the lives of great states and
great nations there are no trivial de-
ciSionS.
"A single individual who has acted
in haste may easily retrace his steps,
but decisions that affect the destiny
! of millions of men and women cannot
be left to impulse. 1t behooves us all.
therefore,, in this closing hour to think
earnestly of the duty that lies ahead
and to cast our ballots with n solemn
sense of our responsibility to our
selves and to posterity. We owe II
to ourselves and to those who shall
come after us to make sure that we
are guided by no spirit of blind parti-
sanship or political rancor, but that
we act, as the prayer book has it,
| soberly, reverently and in the fear of
| Cod
candidate turned to the political situa-
| tion in New York state. declaring the
result there was not in doubt.
| UNLESS We are prepared to exchange
experience for inexperience mature
| and proven capacity for untried youth
and a record of achievement for wordy
promises" he said, there will he no
change in the executive offices of THIS
state"
! Regarding the national campaign,
Mr.. Davis said he had tried as the
nominee of the Democratic Party for
| the last three months to "direct the
public mind to the questions which
should decide this election"
! Il have sought to appeal to reason
and conscience" he added. rather han
TO prejudice. Claiming for myself no
virtue which I do not freely concede
to my opponents, l have endeavored
| to avoid mere personalities. and have
neither assailed the character of amy
| man for the sake of political advan-
tage nor magnified his shortcomings
| III order to arouse partisan zeal"
! MIR. Davis however. criticised the
conduct of those responsible for the
paign. charging they had diverted at
! tention from the real issues.
| mo third party can cherish the re-
hottest hope for success in this cleo
tion.' Those who give themselves to
voting for its candidates must realize
that in doing so they register n futile
| protest but nothing more. II they are
earnest in their desire for reform they
must seek reform where it can bC had.
with confidence that the call will
rot he made in vain. i appeal to the
! conscience of the country to guide it's
| judgment in this hour. Those whose
| sole reliance is in the power of mate
! rial things mistake the temper of
| America, for, whatever cyniCs may say
| or think, money is not the idol that
rules the American heart. Justice and
right and fairdealing with equality
before the law still have power. when
lifted up. to draw all men unto them"