The Topeka state journal., 1908-07-16
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to
you Honorable John w. Kern

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to
you Honorable John w. Kern"
Kern's Reply.
"Mr. Chairman, am tired and some
what travel-worn tonight and I don't
know that I can make myself heard to
the uttermost limits of this vast audi
torium. 1 am sure that 1 can find no
words which will in any measure ex-
press the emotions of my heart upon
this occasion. (Cheers and applause.)
"It is true, as has been said, a mark
of distinction has been given me by
the national convention of my party,
and to that convention and to the men
it represents, I am deeply grateful,
but I am more grateful to Almighty
God for the friends He has given me
in Indianapolis regardless of political
Affiliations. prolonged cheers and ap-
plause.)
II would be. very much more or less
than a man were 1 not deeply touched
by the manifestation Of your personal
friendship and confidence which have
witnessed from the time I alighted at
the station this afternoon until the
present hour. I may be defeated at
the polls, (cries Of mo, never. no, no,
no,'C but If so that is not killing mat
ter, Qaughter), because I have become
accustomed to that. but II should go
down to defeat in November the men,
ory Of what has occurred here tonight
will amply repay me for whatever of
toll may be my lot between now and
November, and the fact of that great
assemblage attesting your loyalty and
friendship to me. will bequeath to my
children as a richer legacy than any
other on the face Of the earth or all
of the wealth of the world.
"An honor Of a very high character
has come to me. I will try with Gods
help to wear that honor worthily, wear
it in such a way as to bring neither
Is-I, r,1y ~ W
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 a moment
that the nomination rendered me,
given me by the national convention
Of my party was due to any merits or
ability of my own. If you will permit
me to take you into my confidence
will tell you how 1t happened.
|. THAT great convention looking out
over the country could not fail to OBJ
serve that the great state of Indiana
oceans: that she occupied COM
manding position at the foot of the
lakes, and is the exact center of the
population of the republic. They OBJ
served that the star which represents
Indiana on the flag was in the inmost
center of the glorious starry banner.
They observed that Indiana had pro-
duced all the great authors, novelists
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 of
a million of loyal sons in time of
war. They did not fail to note that
Indiana with this kind of record de-
served some sort Of recognition at the
Of
nomination came to me, not only as
a humble individual, but as distinct
representation Of that great common
wealth which we all honor. And
when 1t became known that 1 lived
in the most beautiful city of the
United States. made up of 225,000 Of
the fairest daughters and bravest sons
Of America, there was no use under.