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Noted Democratic Congress man In Two Addresses Here This Week Dubuquets are looking forward with great interest to the addresses of Congressman William D. Upshaw of Georgia at the Senior high school auditorium Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. A number of local people heard the Georgia solon speak at the Chris tian Endeavor convention at Cedar Rapids last summer. Before com ing to Dubuque, Congressman Up shaw will address 15,000 students in Chicago on the subject, “Pluck and Purpose.” In addition to his talks on Tues day and Wednesday evening, the not ed speaker will appear before the student bodies of a number of edu cational institutions here. Congressman Upshaw, as is gen erally known is a cripple. He was hurt when he was 18 years of age and was compelled to lie on his back for seven years. In spite of his physical disability he overcame his handicap and has become the “leader of the moral forces of the nation.” No person, and especially if he has physical handicaps, can help ex periencing a thrill of pride and in spiration when realizing just what actual encouragement is furnished by the fact that congress has with in its honored walls a shining light whose physical faculties are way be low par. Overecame Handicap When Congressman Upshaw is thought of in this light, and when his long, tiresome struggle to reach his present height of fame and use fullness unfold before restrospective view, it only seems to make our na tion’s capitol nearer to those whose flights of ambition and fancy mingle with the stars. No longer does Con gress seem as a transient dream. It becomes a real, pulsing hope to many whose desire to reach such a plane of service burns uppermost in their hearts and souls. They ask themselves—these studious yet cap able persons of handicaps severe— that if Will D. Upshaw, the steel jacketed hero on crutches, could muster sufficient mental and spirit ual strength to overcome the frail ties of the flesh in his fight for na tional service, why could not others equally courageous do likewise. That is the stimulus this worthy example always supplies. Being exemplary is a large part of the compensation of greatness. But Will D. Upshaw does not in tend to let his seat in the House of Representatives remain his goal. Nor does Upshaw intend to sacrifice one iota of his greatness or dim the lustre of his character to climb higher—for should he do either, he would not climb higher in the eter nal fitness of things although his political rank might be higher. Figured In Convention: During the last Democratic nation al convention, which became histor ic because of its furore and futility Upshaw was one of the leading can didates for vice-president. For sev eral days the convention fought in a manner not worthy of the traditions of the party which sponsored it. Hatred, jealousy, petty politics, booze and kindred spirits fought for su premacy—and very nearly won. But men like Upshaw stood put. Cour ageoius conviction sustained them and in the end they became victors victors in the sense that never again will the Democratic party tol erate such dissension, such disgrace ful attempt at seduction of principle and prestige. In a moment of supreme frenzy to win their candidate’s nomination, a committee from the delegation of a state powerful enough in political influence and votes visited Upshaw at his headquarters and guaranteed his nomination for the vice-presi dency if he would swing his Georgia delegates their way. Other offers equally as flattering, equally promis ing, were made. Hut Upshaw was actually guarding the pass of his political and personal Thermoploas and he did not waver. He could not have done otherwise—for Up shaw is constantly fighting for a purpose linked to God! Later when things worked them selves more to his liking, his chances grew bright indeed for winning the nomination, but he virtually with drew his name for the good of his party when John W. Davis, the son of a Confederate soldier, was nomin ated for president, believing that the son of another Confederate soldier on the ticket for the way they look at things, politically and historically speaking, Was Rejected To Congress. But Upshaw went back to Georgia was reelected to his seat in Congress and today is a bigger man in every sense of the term. His son has not set politically. America’s taste for his type is becoming keener every year. His name stands high in the ranks of those leaders who have kept their heads and hearts above the turmoil of the times but whose feet have been planted firmly on a foundation not to be weakened by fate nor undermined by fortune. The fight he has recently been making for a sober Congress and a law-abiding nation in spite of the ridicule and rigorous attacks by the opposition, prompts one to add in a characterization of him: “He has the courage of a crusader!” Dubuque people are in for a rare speakers here. He has the reputa tion of being one of the very best speakers in the country. Since the death of Wm. Jennings Bryan, Up shaw is being credited with taking his place in the fight for better Christian living. No admission will be charged at the high school but a silver collec tion will be taken to assist in de fraying the expense of bringing him here. The public is cordially in vited.
Newspaper Details
Dubuque Times Journal
Dubuque, Iowa, US
Sun, Nov 15, 1925
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Grant E.
USA 03 Jul 2026
Other Publications Near Dubuque, Iowa
Sunday Morning Telegraph
Dubuque Daily Telegraph
Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque Democratic Herald
Dubuque Witness
