Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-05-09

friends, no one has reason to offer
excuse or apology for the gentleman's
conduct in the state of Iowa. That
gentleman has been model citizen;
model father; model representa-
tive of the people In every trust that
has been put upon him in all these
years. We welcome him to the city Of
Des Moines; to the capital Of Iowa.
We say to you and we say to Honor
abe Geo. D. Perkins that we don't
have to defend him from dirty insin-
uations or assaults upon his character.
The more it is assailed the brighter
it stands forth.
/ have the honor and the pleasure
of introducing to you a man who has
been lifelong republican; who has
always been following the flag Of Lin.
coin, Grant, Garfield, Mckinley and
Roosevelt; a man who is now candi-
date for nomination by the republican
party Of Iowa for governor, and sim
cerely trust he may receive majority
in the next convention of the republi-
cans Of Iowa. The Honorable Geo.
d. Perkins of Iowa. Uong continued
applause).
Great Applause for Perkins.
No speaker on political subject In
Des Moines ever had a greater demon
stration of popular favor than was
accorded Mr.. Perkins by those who
sat before him. Twice he started TO
speak and the applause drowned him
in his effort. Several minutes elapsed
h0 pvlo
Mr.. Perkins began his speech. He
said:
Mr.. Chairman and fellow citizens
Of Iowa: 1t is gratifying to me
to be assured by your chairman
that l need make no apology for
my presence here tonight, and yet,
my friends, cannot rid myself of the
thought that do need to make an
apology. I am very grateful to you
for your presence; for this opportunity
to speak to you, and yet, the occasion
for 1t all greatly regret. 1t is through
no fault of mine that the republicans
Of this state are engaged in a bitter
pre-conventiOn contest. My candidacy
for the Office Of governor is something
like Topsy. 1t was not conceived,
think, by many that situation such
as we have would arise. 1t has been
the uniform practice in the state that
the executive with two terms would
retire and return his Office to the peo-
pie who gave it. Many friends OF
mine, upon that assumption. began as
far back as 1904 to suggest that l be
candidate. That earlier time is in
cident to the uncertainty with ref
erence to the biennial amendment.
If that amendment had not been adopt
ed, the election would have taken
place last year. We had year OF
rest for some of us. am sorry that
the governor of our state did not
avail himself Of that opportunity.
Uaughter.)
Not Always Harmonizer.
do not know that I have estab-
lished much Of a reputation in
as much as l should. but If there was
not something of that In my compost
ton l would not be here tonight. But
l have though that above all things
the republican party Of this great
state Of Iowa should continue in gen.
erous and harmonious relation. / ex-
erted every ounce of strength l pos
sessed to prevent that result. l have
failed. The result Is not with me.
Nor would be here tonight, engaged
In the work of this campaign In a
speaking capacity, If 1t did not seem
to me that 1t was required that l
should come forth from my seclusion
to defend myself against the republic
cans of the state of Iowa. am here
for that purpose tonight. For the first
time in my life, through al my asso-
Citations with the republican party and
services in its behalf, this year-in
Iowa where have passed all my
manhood time, am called forth by
executive order to defend my name.
(Applause). All! indeed. 1t was a
generous statement on his part that
not one word of derogatlon should be
spoken against me and yet the OBJ
lection Is filed to the company keep.
certainly have very good company
here tonight. daughter and applause.)
It Is said that the corporations OF
this state want man for governor
who will do their will, what they think
is right, and not what the man thinks
is right and, therefore, I won't do.
(Applause). Therefore, the governor,
reluctantly, against his predilection-
certainly against the disposition o.
his dear friends, is compelled, In be-
half of the honor Of Iowa, to sacrifice
his preference and be candidate
again. daughter and applause). It Is
to save the state from me. No! No!
No word of derogation shall pass his
lips! (Laughter). I don't like to be
supersensitive, particularly In a poll
teal campaign but 1t seems to me
that no one could say harsher thing
of me than that. One of two things
must necessarily be the matter with
me. Either am a knave or a fool.
do not want to plead guilty on either
count. Uaughter). My friends, II
it were true. no greater misfortune
could happen to me than to receive
the nomination and election for 1t has
not been found out yet that I am
either. Certainly 1t would be calam-
ity to me to have 1t disclosed that
was either knave or fool. Why.
my friends, there Is no distinction
comes to any man simply from being
nominated to political office. 1t is
no distinction to be elected. The en-
tire distinction comes In the measure
It's Service that Counts.
and quality of his services. Continued