The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-16

occasion (cheers and applause) It is true as has been said. a mark of dis tiuction has been given me by the national convention of my party and to that convention and the men 1t represents I am deeply grateful. but I am more greatful to Almighty God for the friends He has given me in Indianapolis. regardless of political afaliations. tProlonged cheers and ap- plause)
 T would be very much more or less than a man were not deeply tcuch- ed by the manifestation of your per sonal friendship and confidence which l have witnessed from the time l aliehted at the station this afternoon until the present hou. I may be de- feated at the polls fcries of never: no. no, no) but if so. that Is not a killing , matter. because have become accus- toned to that; but if should so down to defeat in November, the mem ory of what has occurred here to- night will amply repay me for what ever of toll may be my lot between now and November. and the fact or loyalty and friendship to me. I will bequsath to my children as g. richer legacy than any on the face of the earth or all the wealth of the world. cCheers and applause)
 "An honor of a very high character has come to me. will try with Gods help to wear that honor worth fly. wear 1t in, such a way as to bring neither discredIt nor dishopor upon my party or my native State or this beautiful city which has thus honored me on this occasion. I am not vain enough to claim or to believe for moment that the nomination tenderea me. given me by the national con- vention of my party was due to any merits or ability of my own. If you will permit me to take you into my confidence I will tell you how it hap pened.
 That great convention. in looking out over the country. could not fail to observe that the great State Of Indiana was situated midway between the oceans: that she occupied a com nanding position at the foot of the lakes and is the exact centre Of popu- iaticn of the republic. They observed that the star which represented In- diana on the flag was the inmost centre of that glorious starry banner. They observed that Indiana had pro- duced nearly all the great authors, uovelists and poets of modern times. They were not unmindful of the great list of statesmen which had been fur nished by Indiana in the past that have illuminated the fame of the country in times of peace. nor of the glorious record made by a quarter or a million loyal sons in time of war. They did not fail also to note that In- diana, with this kind of record, de- served some sort of recognition at the hands of that great party, and the nomination came to me. not only as an humble individual, but as a distinct representative of that great common wealth which we all honor and when it beeame known that lived in the most beautiful city of the United States, made up of 256s00e of the fair est daughters and bravest sons of America, there was no undertaking to escape the action Of the convention.
 The Political significance.
 T understand most fully that this great dempnstration has not the slightest political significance. 1t was my pleasure years ago to be one of the sueakers at the great deTnonatra- ton given in honor of that great In- dlanan. Benjamin Harrison, when he returned to citizenship after an hon orabie term of eArviee as President or the United States. -Four years ago how glad was to take part in the banks when he returned from lia con- .vention. bearing the same honor which now wear and a little later when the election had occurred and when he had been elected by a ma Jority that has never yet been count ed. within .twenty-four hours after had gone down to defeat under plurality Of. something like s3.00e, I arose from the ashes of defeat and made a speech of congratulation to my victorious friend (AppIsuse and Iaughter.)
 T want to say to you here tonight. and want all to hear and sunderstand, that whether you vote for me or not in November. I love you just the same. All I ask of you. and I am sure my friend here Ondicating the quest. is that every voter study the quest, is that every voted study the issues before the people from the standpoint of patriotism: that he in- form himself as to the right or wrong of the questions at issue and then when you have made up your mind thus intelligently,and periodically as is your duty as a citizen, then, with the strength of American manhood, go and deposit your vote for the right as God gives you to see the right and we will abide by your judgment as ex- pressed at the polls" (cheers and ap- plause.)