The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-18
SDailu argus.
Gen. =. ?. Blair,s speech.

The nomination of Frank p. Blair oy the
democratic caucus of the Missouri Le8isia-
ture resulted in his being waited upon by
committee from thu. body, ana tue FOLLOWING
brief speech by him
Srx.rops AND REPRESENTATIVE 81 am
deenlv sensible OF the great honor which hiss
been conferred upon me by the members
of the democratic party of the legislature.
AID should do injustice to myself in ap-
pearng before YOU if | lid not acknowledge
lny deep and profound gratitude for the act
which you have done tonight. 1 am well
aware how deeply some Of you have been
enlisted In behalf Of other gentlemen-gen-
tiemen of great distinction snd merit-gen
Ilemen of whom nothing Gisparsging tan be
said, who have won my respect and adnira-
ton In the same degree that they have the
respect and admiration OF their devoted
friends upon this floor. applause gentle
men worthy TO represent Missouri In Its best
and palmiest days, in the position sought for
them by their friends. believe, my friends,
that you simply preferred me, not on the
ground Of any superior merit, but upon tsA'
which was alluded to by the senator rom
Boone. that had been designated 'os 'nis
very term of the senate four yesr' ago, oy
Tue uUdhltiUu5 YOU. VI VIC
legislature, representing fFo-tEirds OF the |
people Of Missouri. Applause. That was
q claim merely of prescription, not OF merit
superion 10 nv c5upetitors. shall en-.
deavor 10 ca--r out as far as l have the !
sb;li.r. the principles proclaimed for me
nv the friends who placed me in nomina-
ton.
an democrat, and am also liberal,
4 great applause, upon the platform which |
way announced in our recan. election, and
which gave back 70 Missouri her liberty and
her freedom. | stand with all men who will
stand with me. Gres, applause. Now,
for the first time IN many vears, the people
of Missouri had the choice of their own
senators, snd whenever they have had the
choice of their own senators, they have been
men respectable and illuslrious for their
deeds in the national council. | may not
hope to rival themgin their brilliancy or abili-
II, hnt | will endesvor, with heart full of
gratitude, to rival the best OF them in my
devotion to the interest OF the people of this
state Great applause.
Fellow citizens and members OF the gen
eral assembly, do not feel like trusting my
self to speak much 10 night. | will simply
say that hope and believe new and more
brilliant career is opened for our state. We
will leave the past undisturbed. We have
not spirit of retaliation for the wrongs
that we have suffered in this state, because
we have 3 higher ana nooler mission, and
We have TO do with greater objects than
graphing with the things that have gone
and cannot De revived. !: is our duty. and
the highest and noblest, 10 go forward and
sid our fellow citizens OF the southern states
TO the Liberties which we have achieved
Long aud continued applause and cheers
/ Know of no better way to accomplish thet
than to call TO our side the noble and gener
ous allies who aid US In our recent struggle.
I"Good - and applause
We have another duty before us 1t is
orr duty TO strike down those monstrous
monopolies with which the miIiiouaires of
the ess. have Slapped the life blood of the
peop!e OF the west. Applsnse In this
them we cannot succeed with them we will
achieve results equally as glorious IS those
We have achieved in our late contest in Mis-
souri,. Ap plause.
Ny friends. permit me- again 10 thank
you. go ou."l LIDO not wish to detsin
YOU longer. NJ hear, is too fall for express.
ion, bat | could not forbeer IN the few OBJ.
servstions which | have ventured to make
to you 10 night, TO say to you that those who
have entrusted me with this great charge
and who have placed me in position which
pnts IL within my reseh-that they have
entrusted man who will tsy with bis best
eadeavors to be faithful to the friends who
have thus elevated him. = Applause.