The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-06-21

thu Od4IOt Va NAO [AIOh1SOA
on, to become a candidate for Gov
ernor. There are large number of
papers throughout the
State, and a much larger number of
the members of the party, who be-
lieye, at this iuncture, that he is the
man they would like to support for
the position-that his name would
add stl ength to the ticket, and to
the solicitation of these he has final
Iy yielded, and announces himself a
candidate in the following card
which we clip from the Champion
of Friday last:
A CARD.
During the last month or more have
been receiving numerous letters from dtf-
ferent sections Of the State asking me TO
become q candidate for the Republican
nomination for Governor Of Kansas.
These individual requests have been
supplemented by the very earnest concur
renee of a large number OF 1nnuentlal and
sincere Republican journals, which have
Joined in asserting that the public senti-
ment in my favor was Of such character
that could not, in justice to 1.-The party
or to myself, refuse 10 recognize and &C
quiesce in its preference
i have not been anxious to engage In
political affairs as q candidate. have
never asked the people OF Kansas, during
my residence in the State for their suhra-
yes. i have been content with my work,
and with the opportunities for usefulness,
in promoting the development and pros
perity OF the State, It afforded me.
That the position Of Governor of this
great and rapidly growing commonwealth
is distinction / would appreciate, do
not attempt to disguise. 1t is the only Of
flee in the gift of the people have ever
had any ambition TO attain. l regard 1t
as the highest honor that could be con-
ferred upon me. And If the Republicans
of Kansas deem me worthy OF such an
honor, / will accept their nomination
with gratitude, and with the sincere hope
that, IL elected, may be able TO so dis
charge the duties Of the place as to justify
the confidence Of my party, and merit the
regard OF the whole people.
l make this announcement with dill
dence, but with the conviction that long
err silence would be unjust to myself, and
a refusal to be q candidate would be I'M
generous to my friends.
Respectfully, JNo. A. MARTIN.
1t is well known that Col. Martin
has steadily refused to be candid
ate for years, for public position.
He has been in Atchison some TWEEN
ty years, arriving there as a printer
boy, without means or experience.
He soon became connected with the
Champion, and has grown up there
with the town and with his paper.
He is a self-made man, and has sue
ceeded in building up a business
and reputation and influence for
bis paper second to none in the
West. To his paper and to the in
terests of the State he has been
much devoted, and is justly proud
of what he has accomplished. There
is no doubt but that he would pre-
fer to remain in his present posi-
ton, but when q mans friends call
upon him to enter their service,
with such unanimity as is manifest
ed in this instance, we are of those
who believe he has no right to re-
fuse. We are therefore glad Of his
announcement. He is widely known
throughout Kansas, and is every
where popular. He will receive q
strong support, and should he be-
come the Republican nominee his
name and reputation for strict in
tegrity, sobriety and honesty as
well as his eminent abilities, will
insure Republican majority which
will almost surprise all. There will
be no such humiliating work to do
as spending the force of the cam
paign in explaining away doubt
full or bad record, or in apologies
ing for our candidate and begging
the people for votes.
We append the following brief
sketch of Col. Martin, taken from
Web. Wilder's st. Joseph Heralds
sit is hardly necessary to tell who John
A. Martin Is, but, since it is almost GER
tain that he will be the next Governor of
Kansas, few facts will not be uninterest-
ing. He was born in Pennsylvania and is
forty years old. He went to Kansas over
twenty years ago as q printeryand began
his career as an editor and publisher Feb
ruary 2Sth, 1858, with the Atchison Cham
pion. Since that time he has liV ed in the
public eye; his opinions have been ex-
| DIObSOd Ou 1CdQAuB 4uOoIAOASS anu
character has been open for rebuke, GEN.
sure or praise. Martin has stood this test;
| as an editor he has received the usual
amount of praise and fault-hndlng, but
his character as a man Of integrity, honor
and public spirit has never been cues
| toned.
| When the Republican party held its
| first Territorial Convention in Kansas, at
Osawatomie, May 18th, 1859, he was one
Of its Secretaries. In July Of that year.
when only 81 years old, he was the Score
tary Of the convention that formed the
State Constitution. On October 18th he
| was one Of the Seer Charles Of the Conven-
ton at Lawrence that nominated the first
State ticket. In December he was elected
as State Senator, and so acted after Kan
sas was admitted in '61. 1t will be seen
that he was in ut the birth of the Censti-
tuition and Laws and might we'll run on
that platform.
When VIM. II. Seward visited Atchi-
son, in September, go, he was introduced
to the people by Martin. In November of
that year he was made Secretary Of the Re
lief Committee. In May, '6l, he was ap-
pOiIed postmaster st Atchison. On OetO-
Der 9th he was mustered in as Lieuten-
ant Colonel of the Sth Kansas regiment;
was made its Colonel Nov 1, '62, and was
mustered out of the service Nov. 16, '64.
The military history Of Martin and his
regiment was published in tbs papers OF
the time and afterward In the reports OF
the AQJuLanL CfenerAl, ana was very kA4-
liant and honorable one throughout. The
Eighth served in Kansas, Missouri, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and all me
wag across the country TO San Antontos
Texas, where the last officers and Soldiers
were mustered out. 1t was in gTeat bat
ties and small, and added glorI TO the
name of Kansas wherever IL won't. Mar
tin was Provost Marshal OF Nashville
while Andy johnson was Military Gov
ernor OF Tennessee and the most out and
out Union man, and he contracted such q
friendship and admiration for johnson
that he was one OF the most unwilling 70
give him up after johnson changed his
party. The friendship was honorable to
both men.
During the war the Champion was leas-
ed and was edited part OF the time by In
, gals, now Senator, and part Of the time
i, by Horton, now Chief Justice. On March
%, '65, Martin changed it from = weekly
! TO daily. During that year or the next
he was elected Mayor OF Atchlson. Mar
tin has always been popular at home, and
J he will get all the votes there are in Atch-
ison county next November. In '66 he
was elected Secretary OF the Editors As
ISOLATION and Commander-ln.Chief Of the
Veteran Brotherhood. In rs, he was
elected Vice President OF the Editors AS
soclation and delegate to the National Re
publican Convention. In 30. he was
Chairman Of the committee on resolu.
: tions IN the Republican State convention
/ In III he WAS annofntad r1anfannfal Corr,