Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-10-11
HOW COL. JOHN A. MARTIN
TALKS.

county convention at his home day before
yesterday in Atchison, and this little speech
made in calling the convention to order
shows the man in a truer light than any of
his campaign speeches. 1t is John A. Mar
Tin all over, natural and at home. He
said:
Gentlemen of the Convention Twenty
five years ago, on the 9TH day OF the month
of May, l called to order the first Republ-
can convention ever held in this county. II
was mass convention, Yet those in attend
ance hardly exceeded in number the dele
gates assembled here to-day, representing
the Republican voters of AtchIson county.
Ii was called 10 organize the Republican
party of the county, and to elect delegates
TO the first territorial convention held at Osa-
watomie eleven days later. The Republican
party of Atchison county and of Kansas
has, therefore. just passed its twenty-fifth
birthday. And TO those who have been
identified with its history during that long,
eventful period, this rounding Of full quar-
ter of a century of party life is an occasion
of more than ordinary interest.
Our political opponents now and then
sheer at the fact that Republicans 'point
with pride to the past" But surely if the
Republican party is TO survive for another
quarter Of century, its most ardent friends
could wish for il no other record, no proud
er history. no more beneficial and useful
career, than that of the past twenty-five
years. Kansas was, in 1859, a poor, weak.
distracted, oppressed territory. What great,
prosperous powerful imperial commonwealth
IL now is. A million and quarter of peo-
pie, living in the richest and most prosper
Gus state of the union-a state grldironed by
railways. dotted with school houses and
churches and growing steadily, not only in
wealth and power and influence, but in all
the elements of the most advanced civiiza-
tion-the Kansas of to-day is alike the pride
of her own citizens, and the wonder and adj
miration Of the whole civilized world.
And why should not political party, like
an individual, proudly point TO an honora-
Bile record of noble endeavors and great
achievements! 1t is something to have
party that can be pointed tos.without blush
ing. 1t is something tie have record that
does not have to be explained, denied or lied
about. When man can say that he be-
longs TO a party which crushed the
rebellion, abolished slavery. preserved
the union, and made this a great
Nation; party that has dotted the land
with school houses, party that gave TO the
people the homestead law and established
the best financial system the world ever
knew, it is something to be proud of. And
when he can add that he belongs Ia party
which intends TO see that the civil rights of
every American citizen are protected at
home or abroad; that every legal voter shall
have n right to cast one free, unintimidated
ballot, and TO have that ballot honestly
counted; that the debt of gratitude the coun-
try owes TO the soldiers and snilors of the
IF..t.a HALL la. II.
repaid; that the people shall be protected
against uni ust extortions or determinations
by corporate power; and that laws enacted
by the people, for the people, shall be res
pected and cnforced-all this is also some
thing TO be proud of.
For twenty-five years | have annually,
except during the period of the war, and
for about two wears thereafter, called to
order the Republican conventions of Atchi-
son county. During all that time | have
been chairman of your county central
committee. To-day, probably for the last
time, discharge, this pleasant duty, and
avail myself of the opportunity to return my
sincere thanks to the Republicans of this
county for their constant confidence and
friendship that has never been denied me;
that has never wayered or falteied, during
all the lights and shadows of twenty-five
Il
YOU made me the chairman of your
county executive committee, and annual
", ever since, except during the wears when
l was absent in the army, you have
reelected me TO this place. The measure
of my gratitude to you, fellow Republic
cans of Atchison county. cannot be ex-
pressed in words. l have tried TO express il
by ardent devotion to Republican principles,
and by the most constant and enthusiastic
efforts TO promote and secure the triumph
of the Republican party.
want to add, as ! think | can with en-
tire truthfulness, that during all of this peri
cd, have never attempted TO act the part of
political boss have avoided rather
than sought, authority or power TO dictate
nominations, or TO control the action of
conventions. No man can truthfullv say
that have ever attempted to thwart Il fair
expression OF Republican sentiment, or 10
force upon the party AN unwelcome or an
unworthy candidate or TO prevent the NOM
nation of any man who was clearly the
choice of the Republican voters. No man
can truthfnlly say that have ever provoked
or encouraged fractional feuds, or stirred up
personal strife. in the party ranks. No. man
can truthtuliy say that / have
ever refused 10 subordinate INV
personal interests, or my individ- |
ual preferences or prejudices, in order to
promote or secure Republican success. On |
the contrary, it has been NV constant. earn |
est endcayor 10 harmonize. consolidate and |
strengthen the Republican party: to pre-
serve peace in its ranks; and to make it a |
united, vigorous and victorious party. To |
this end, and for these objects. | have often |
endured, without complaint, undeserved |
censurc. and have preferred TO be misunder- |
stood and even misrepresented rather than
TO mperil Republican success by quarreling |
with those who misunderstood me. Time
at last sets all things right, and | have al |
ways been content to wait the just Judgment |
of its final rewards.
And now, gentlemen of the convention,
invoking upon your deliberations the bless
ings of harmony and the saving grace of
Republican common sense. and appealing to
you to remember that your opponents alone
rejoice over and are benefited by personal
and factional teuds in your ranks, await
your pleasure.