The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-09-06
John A. MARTIN.

JOHN A. MARTIN.
This gentleman, who made such gal
liant and manly fight for the Governor
ship before the State convention last
week, met with hearty welcome from
his fellow citizens ut Atchison ON his ar
rival home. His campaign was one of
which his friends may well feel proud.
Defeat as it came to him was no disad-
vantage, and was followed by no loss to
the good name he has always sustained
throughout the State. Not man who
supported him has the least regret for
that action. Governor Anthony has re-
ceived many compliments for the man.
ner in which he organized and held his
friends to his cause. John A. Martin
did the same to a greater degree. 1t was
known to be no easy undertaking to de
feat Anthony, but John A. Martin had
the nerve to make the fight He crys-
talized the anti-AnthOny sentiment of the
State into an organization which accom-
plished Anthony's overthrow, and TO he
and his friends belong the credit. No
man ever had stronger or more enthu-
siastic following. Even after the adjourn
ment of Thursday night and the cOmbi-
nation of the friends of Anthony and st.
minds of many, there was no wavering
in his forces. His last vote was six
more than il was the previous evening.
1t was only by this adjournment that
his defeat was accomplished. Had there
been two or three more ballots Thursday
night he would undoubtedly have been
the nominee. 1t took work to beat
Martin, and though his friends did not
succeed in their wishes in placing him
at the head of the Republican ticket,
they did succeed in taking the valuable
scalp they were after.
One of the best features of the result
is that Martins friends went home in
the best of humor, and will enter the
field and do just as effective work for
Col. st. John as they would have done
for their own choice. They are entirely
satisfied with the result. They met an
unfortunate difficulty throughout the
campaign in the fact that there was a
strong feeling against nominating an
Atchison man to the gOvernOrship, be-
cause of the number of candidates from
AtchisOn for various positions, and the
number of offices her citizens already
held. Had this not existed Martin would
have been irresistible before the State
convention, and at no distant day his
long years of work for the State and the
Republican party will be properly &c
knowledged by his thousands of friends
In the State
On his return home Col. Martin was
serenaded by a large concourse of the
people of Atchison who rendered him a
public reception. The welcome was
rendered by Hon. B. P. Waggener,
prominent Democrat, and below we
print the Colonel's reply in full:
IAN old German friend said to me,
just before leaving Atchison for Topeka,
that he hoped l would not be nominated
because this city needed me at home.
Perhaps he might have added with
truth, that it would be better for me TO
remain at home, among the old, and
tried, and always faithful friends, who
have known me, and who have known,
for so many years.
However this may be l am glad to be
at home tonight, and proud of the re-
ception you have given me. If i had
returned victor, with power and pat
rOnage assured, there would be nothing
L..
defeated candidate, it is remarkable.
From the bottom of my heart I thank
you for the generosity of your welcome.
All the years of my manhood have
been passed in this city. l came here a
boy You know me more intimately
than any other people in the State. My
faults, my failings, and whatever of good
there is in me, you understand. This
community has always been generous to
me, and have faithfully endeavOred to
deserve its regard. have never, think
l may truthfully say, neglected an OPP
portunity to promote the growth or adj
vance the prosperity of Atchison or the
State of Kansas. have had a constant,
unchanging faith in the great future of
this young State, and no disaster has ev-
er clouded this confidence.
l return to my old duties with hardly
a shadow of regret. Here l have lived
contented with my work, for nearly a
quarter of century. There might have
been something more of distinction in
the place sought, but surely there was
| in it no greater opportunities for useful
ness. The fund of experience l have
gathered during the last month and a
half will not be without its uses. 1 saw
more of Kansas than l have ever seen
before. | made many pleasant acquaint-
ances. l had, in the convention and out
of it, as devoted, as generous, as gallant
and as faithful friends as any candidate
ever had. They made a manly, Honorable
| fight, that had in it nothing to be asham-
ed of, and their devotion won the plau-
dts of their opponents and the praise OF
all men,
But am OBTAINING you too long. Let
me thank you again for the compliment
you have paid me, and for the generous
words with which you have welcomed
me home again. If / had returned
a victor / could not have been ac-
corded a more enthusiastic greeting
Through all the lights and shadows OF
twenty-one revolving years have been
laboring to promote the development
and prosperity of this State and this city
and have found in my work real pleas
ure, satisfaction and honor. If l contin
ne in the same work for as Tonga period
in the future, only hope that the com
ing years may be as pleasant as those Of
the past have been, and that through
them all l may be able to deserve thai
generous confidence, that helpful sup
port, that untalteripg and large-hearted
friendship the people of this city have
always given me