The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-06-19
Speech CT Representative Burton OF
Ohio Placing William n. Taft In
Nomination Fer Presidency.

This convention enters upon the
grave responsibility OF selecting
presidential candidate with the serena
assurance that the Republican marty
VIII continue 10 lIfi5 this people. |wpat
assembled multitude in any land has
ever pointed the way to such benef-
cent results for home and for the
progress of the whole human race as
the recurring conventions OF this
grand old organization? Yet we do
not rely alone upon the record of that
which it has accomplished. We EN-
phasize even more its supreme oua!iti-
cation to solve the problems of the
present.
1t is especially appropriate that this
gathering should be held in this mar
velous city OF Chicago, whence the
steel bands of commerce reach out in
every direction over plain and river
and mountain to almost boundless dis.
lance, bringing the richest treasures
Of a continent to lay them at your
feet. Here it was that the righteous
uprising against slavery and Bourbon
ism sprang from the nations con
science, raised it's first triumphant
voice when Abraham Lincoln was
nominated. And here again, with
notes of thunderous acclaim, enrapt-
ured throngs greeted the naming Of
Garfield, of Blaine, of Harrison and OF
Roosevelt. .
Again Ohio presents a candidate to
the national Republican convention.
In seven stubbornly contested presi-
Dental compaigns sons of her sacred
soil have led the embattled Republi-
can hosts to victory. The Buc'-eye
State has assuredly contributed her
share of statesmen and generals for
the upbuihing Of the nation. But
that of which we are prouder still is
her stalwart citizenship, the mightiest
bulwark of the republic in every COM
monwealth, made up of XIAerica's free
yeomen, every ready to respond to the
tocsin of alarm in days of peril or to
crush corruption whenever it raises
its menacing head From this citizen
ship of Ohio in the supreme emer-
than two hundred thousand soldiers
for orr country's defense, a formid-
able array, easily surprising in num-
bers the world conquering legions OF
imperial Caesar and even larger than
any army ever mustered by Britain
for the tented field. But transcendent
above all is the fact that Ohio Is one
Of matchless union Of states linked
together in everlasting bonds of amity
and constituting an empire wonderful
in power and almost Unreasonable in
extent. Each sovereign state alone
would occupy but subordinate place
in the great current Of the worlds
events, but when represented by one
of forty-six bright stars on a field of
stainless blue every one forms part
Of an emblem of union and Of strength
more beautiful far than the most bril-
liant constellation in the heavens.
We welcome the friendly rivalry of
candidates from other states, from the
great Empire State, the Keystone
State. Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin,
forming with Ohio broad expanse ex-
tending in unbroken sweep from old
ocean to the uppermost bound of the
greatest of inland seas. Each of these
presents leader among leaders whose
achievements and renown are not con-
fined to the narrow limits of single
commonwealth. Today, with fervid
earnestness, we wage contest for the
prize. Tomorrow, united for the fray
and quickened by common fiery zeal,
the champions of all the candidates
will GO forth with mounting enthusi-
asm TO vanquish the foe.
The most perplexing questions of TO-
day arise from the bountiful develop
ment of our material wealth. Such r.
development cannot occur without the
creation of inequalities and dangers
10 the social fabric. I most strenuous
ly deny that the American business
man or the American citizen cherishes
lower standards than the citizens OF
any other country. The American peo.