The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-18
HIS OFFICIAL RECORD.
Is Cited Among the Reasons for
His Nomination.
Nineteen Times Elected to Office
by His District.

Mr.. President and Members of the
Fourteenth Republican National Cor
vention:
In the name Of half a century of Re
publican trfumphs, Illinois bids you
welcome. to prepare for still further
trfumphs. These are the scenes of the
nrSt conflicts and the earliest victories
or our party. Fifty years ago men were
listening for the words of the great
Debate that guided the destiny of the
nation. In this city, eight and forty
years ago, our predecessors, as minis
tiers and stewards of the Republican
faith. chose their first victorious lead
or. Then the hopes and yearnings Of
the people found expression in their
call to him who had spoken as never
man sDake when he stirred the con-
science of the nation, Abraham Lin
coin of Illinois.
And here 1t was, two score years
ago, that we gave our colors into the
keeping of the great commander,
great alike in peace and in war, with
out fear and without reproach, who
never knew defeat. For the nation,
seeking a man to carry on the work
that Lincoln had begun. turned her
face again to Illinois and called for
Grant
Within these very walls. only four
years since, we named our present
matchless leader, Theodore Roosevelt.
us from across the years of mighty
deeds wrought by the Republican par
ty for freedom and humanity under
our great chieftains from Lincoln and
Grant to Mckinley and Roosevelt!
Very near us today are the spirits Of
those leaders of our party whose work
is finished-Lncoln and Grant, Logan
and Oglesby. Morton of Indiana,
Chandler of Michigan, Sherman of
Ohio, Hawley and Platt of Connecti-
mt Arfh =
Hoar. Blaine and Garfield, Harrison
and Mckinley. What pictures these
names call up OF courage on the field,
of eloquence in the forum, Of devotion
to party. of loyalty to the state! OF
them and their associates we may say,
as we contemplate the outcome of the
principles for which they lived, truly,
their works do follow them. Through
the triumphs Of these principles. now,
in the fullness of time. the American
flag floats over 100 million people from
Porto Rico to Luzon, who live in the
enjoyment of enlightened freedom
sanctified by law.
Illinois Once More.
Inspired by these memories and en-
couraged by these reflections, we meet
to grid ourselves for another combat,
and choose another captain. Today IL
linois once more offers to the party Of
Lincoln and Grant leader under
whom defeat will be impossible and
all along the line. And nothing less
than complete victory should be our
aim in these deliberations.
Fellow Republicans, great RESPONSE
bility rests upon us; first, because the
nominee of this convention will be the
next president Of the United States,
and secondly, because upon the work of
this convention and the nominations
which we make will depend the result
OF the election of many senators and
adjourns, the country will know who
the next president will be, for the en-
envy will realize that they have to deal
with a united party, enthusiastic, de-
termined, uncomfortable. Whoever
our candidate may be, every man In
this convention will be his loyal, his
militant supporter. Whoever secures
the nomination, his friendly rivals for
the honor will be the first to congrat-
ulate him, and when the campaign
opens they will be the earliest in the
fight, the foremost in the fray and the
last to leave the field. The presidency
already Is secure. but, gentlemen, we
shall not discharge fully our obliga-
tions to those whose commissions we
hold If we finish the work of this con-
vention with the sole aim of electing a
president. If We win the presidency
and lose the house of representatives,
It will be drawn battle. To lose the
senate would be a national calamity
This government is a government by
party. We believe that our principles
are right and that government by the
Republican party Is for the best in
terests Of all the people. The work of
this convention should not be bounded
by the ambitions of men but should ex-
tend to the farthest confines of the ma
tion's greatest good.
Our party is now, as it always has
been. rich in material from which to
choose our presidential candidate.
From among the many men who would
fill the presidency with credit, it is our
all the requirements of that exalted
Office. and who, in addition thereto,
through his record and personality
through all his qualities of mind and
heart, appeals most strongly to the
patriotic instincts of the independent
American voter. The head of our ticket
is the leader Of our party. He should,
therefore, be a man who will give the
ticket its greatest possible strength
and character. His personality should
be an inspiration in every congressfon-
al district; his name ta1isman in ev-
cry election precinct; his public record
expressive of the glorious history of
our party, and the radiant triumphs of
our faith
Came Up From the Bottom.
In the first place, the nominee of
this convention must be a man spec
tally equipped by nature, training, and
experience for the performance of the
duties Of the presidential office. The
candidate whom Illinois presents has
risen through native ability and long
years of faithful service to the highest
position In our national legislature,
the second place in the government in
dignity and power. His long service
in congress has given him thorough
knowledge of all parts of the country.
perfect familiarity with the needs of
the business of the government in all
its branches. He is the greatest gov
eminent expert on revenues and ap-
preparations, currency, and the ma
fional debt. For a generation, he has
been intimate with the ablest men in