The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-16

less of political affiliations. (Prolonged cheers and applause.)
 T would be very much more or less than man were l not deeply touched by the manifestation of your personal friend- ship and confidence which l have Wit messed from the time l alighted at the station this afternoon until the present hour I may be defeated at the polls (cries of Neverl No, NoO. but if so that Is not killing matter. because l have become accustomed to that, but fl should go down to defeat in November, the memory of what has occurred here tonight will amply repay me for what ever of toll may be my lot between now and November, and the fact of this great assemblage, attesting your loyalty and friendship to me, l will bequeath to my children a richer legacy than any on the face of the earth of all the wealth of the world. Cheers and applause)
 DiscIaimine Merit.
 "An honor of very high character has come to me. I will try, with Gods help to wear that honor worthily, wear 1t in such a way as to bring neither discredtt nor dlshonor upon my party or my native state or this beautiful city which has thus honored me on this occasion. l am nos vain enough to claim or to believe for d moment that the nomination rendered. given me by the national convention of my party, was due to any merits or abil- ity of my own. If you will permit me to take you into my confidence l will tell you how 1t happened.
 That great convention. in looking over the country, could not fail to observe that the great state of Indiana was situ- ata0 midway baturpan fhp that she occupied a commanding position at .he foot of the lakes and Is the exact renter of population of the republic. They observed that the star which represented Indiana on the flag was the innermost center of that glorious starry banner They observed that Indiana had produced 'early all the great authors, novelsts and roets of modern times. They were not un- mindful of the great list of statesmen. which had been furnished by Indiana in the past that have Illuminated the fanle or the country In times of peace, nor oi the glorious record made by quarter of c million of loyal sons in time of war. rhey did not fail also to note that h. diana with this kind of record deserved some sort of recognition at the hands of that great party and the nomination came 70 me, not only as an humble individual, but as a distinct representative of that great commonwealth which we all honor. and when 1t became known that l lived in the most beautiful city of the Unitel States, made up of 225,00O of the fairest daughters and bravest sons of America, there was no undertaking to escape the action of the convention.
 As Man to Man.
 T understand most fully that this great demonstration has not the slightest politi- raI sipnidcance If x,ac ,,,v nlaa st1re vears ago to be one of the speakers at a great demonstration given in honor of that great Indianan, Benjamin Harrison, when he returned to citizenship after an honorable term of service as President of the Unite1 States. Four years ago how glad l was to take part in the exercises at the home of MT. F fairbanks when he returned from his convention bearing the same honor which l now wear and a little later when the election had occurred he had been elected by a majority that has never been counted within "A hours after 1 had gone down to defeat under a plurality of something like S3OO0, l arose from the ashes of defeat and made a speech of congratGlation to my victorious friend. Applause and laughter.)
 T want to say to you here tonight, and l want all to hear and understand, tha. whether you vote for me or not in No vember, l love you just. the same. All 1 esk of you, and l am sure my friend here Indicating the Vice Presdent will join in the request, is that every voter study the issues before the people from the stand point of patriotism that he inform him. self as to the right or wrong of the ques. tions at issue, and then when you nave made up your mind thus intelligently and patriotically as is your duty as a citizen, then with the strength of American man. hood, go and deposit your vote for the right as God gives you to see the right, and we will abide by your judgment as expressed at the polls" Cheers and ap- Ilause)