GOVERNOR, 1904
Resolved, That the Republicans of Pennsylvania, in unison with the people, rejoice in the achievements and deplore the death of Matthew Stanley Quay. A soldier, he won the medal of honor for distinguished services on the field of battle; a scholar, he could impress a thought and turn a phrase with deft skill; a political leader of capacity unexcelled, he entered the stronghold of the foe and achieved a presidential victory under the most adverse conditions; a Senator, his wise counsel and keen intelligence were ever sought and always potent; a statesman, he prevented the passage of the force bill and in time of stress preserved the principle of protection to American industries to the lasting benefit of the country; an exemplar of bold and steadfast integrity, his last contest was a successful effort to compel the national government to keep faith with the down-trodden and the helpless. May he find in the grave that longed-for peace which ingratitude denied to him while he was alive!
Somebody called for a standing vote and every delegate arose to his feet, although many of them were of independent proclivities, and voted in favor of the resolution. To Pennsylvania was accorded the opportunity to make one of the nominating speeches. It is the broadest field in America upon which a man may address his fellow men, and in these conventions is determined who shall guide the destinies of the nation for a period of four years. Penrose came to me and generously asked me to make the speech. I told him he was called upon, as the leader of the party in the state, to do it himself, but he insisted, and the truth is, I was not disinclined to make the effort. The convention was held in the wigwam with an audience of 30,000 people sitting, as in an amphitheater, with tiers rising one above another until they reached the rear and the top. A board and carpeted passage-way ran out from the platform toward the center so as to enable the speaker to approach as near as possible his hearers. "Uncle Joe" Cannon presided, and in his Western breezy way he presented those who were to speak. He adopted all kinds of antics to secure attention and maintain silence. On one occasion he lay flat and pounded on the boards of the
