The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-03

Ire. While it has sometimes been hufnll- iating to have it thrown up to me in other parts of the country that my city has never given me a majority Cvoiees we will give it to you this time.'O while l repeat it has been humiiating, yet, as a matter of fact I have always had a large complimentary vote from the republicans of Lincoln. When l ran for Congress in 1S90 l was only defeated in this county by a little more than 100. and when again l ran for Congress in 1892 l was only de- feltod in this county a little more than 300 and even in the heat of presidential campaigns I have always had great number of votes from men who were not connected with the political party of which I am a member, and if this fact were known, there would not have been so much criticism because 1 have never carried this city with it's large republican normal majority, and I want to thank the republicans who in the past have given me their votes. Without the votes of my republican friends l would not have been elected in 1892, for my majority was only 140 and without that election I would not have been nominated for the pres- idency in 1896, and therefore, I can feel grateful to the republicans who gave me my start and whose votes were absolute ly necessary to my election on that oc- casion.
 whatever the republicans of Lincoln may do in the future they have done enough in the past by laying the founda- tion for my political career to make me their debtor while I live.
 My friends, I am at the end of my third presidential campaign. Tomorrow 150O0,000 voters will decide whether 1 am to occupy the seat that Washington and Jefferson and Jackson and Lincoln oc- cupied. Applause and cries of You willrO You will have your part In that victory or in that defeat. It may be that the election may turn on Nebraska and 1t may be that Nebraska will turn in votes so few in number that the city of Lin coin may decide my fate. If fate decrees that I shall be added to the list of Presi- dents and Nebraska added to the list of states that have furnished a President, 1 shall rejoice with you. If on the other hand, the election shall be against me, I can feel that I have left nothing un- done that 1 could have done to bring success to my cause. And my friends, I shall find private life so full of joy that I shall not miss the presidency.
 Child of Fortune.
 q have been the child of fortune from my birth. God gave me into the keep ing of a Christian father and a Christian mother. They implanted in my heart the ideals that have guided my life. When I was in law school 1 was fortunate, as l was in my college days to fall under the influence of men of ideals who helped to shape my life, and when but a young man, not out of college yet, l was guided to the selection of one who for 24 years has been my faithful helpmate. No pres has been my faithful helpmeet. No pres to me, and no defeat can take her from me. I have been blessed with a family. My children are with me to make glad the declining years of their mother and myself. When you first knew me they called me in derision the oy orator of the Platte I have outliyed that title and my grandchi ren are now growing up about me. Il beat that have been fortunate, indeed. ' have been abundant ly rewarded for what little I have been able to do, and my ambition is not so much to hold any office however great, as it is to know my duty and to do it, whether in public life or as a private citizen.
 "If am elected I shall be absent from you but four years. If I am defeated you will help me to bear my defeat And I will say to you, my friends, that the affection that my countrymen have shown is to me dearer than all earthly offices And my highest ambition is to deserve the continuation of that affection. I have been touched by the demonstrations that have been given in other parts of the country, but I will say to you, my friends, that in F years and in three campaigns, have never had a welcome anywhere more generous, more enthusiastic than you have given me in Lincoln tonight.
 Confident of Election.
 q believe I am going to be elected (Great applause and cries of "So do we'O more than that I believe it is going to be more than a bare victory. I believe that there is a stirring of the conscience of the American people, a moral awak- ening, an uprising that means sweep ing victory. But, my friends, that vic- tory would be robbed of much of it's sweetness if it were won outside of the state of Nebraska entirely that victory would be robbed of much of it's sweet ness If Lincoln did not contribute to it; it would be robbed of much of it's sweet ness if my little precinct at Normal did not contribute to At. My friends, I shall be among you. It will make the stay more pleasant if I can feel that this city has at last relieved me of the sneers and criticisms that are cast at me when I travel away. And, my friends, I simply want to say this, if you, among whom have lived; If you who have known my every word and thought and act, if you believe me worthy of that high office (Cries of i've dor'J I will swear in your presence that no one who votes for me fo ha