Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-16
Welcomed by the Vice President.

| ten minutes, paying fine tribute to his
friend and neighbor. John W. Kern. The
Vice President happily recalled that four
years ago. when he returned to the city
vice presidential nominee. Mr.. Kern was
| one of those to give him a hearty well
| come Each reference that the Vice
President made to Mr.. Kern was applaud
ed by the big crowd. Mr.. Fairbanks
said:
Mayor Bookwalter and Fellow-Citizens:
| The duty which you have assigned to me
| is a very unusual and very agreeable
one. The occasion does not impose upon
me the necessity of indulging in any ex-
| tended utterance. My function is to pre-
side and not to engage in speech beyond
a word of greeting and felicitation to our
friend in whose honor we are assembled
I'VE have gathered here without regard
to party alignment to welcome and con-
graduate a fellow citizen who has been
greatly honored. We appreciate fully
| the fact that an honor which comes to
one of our fellOw-citiZenS is an honor to
| our entire citizenship. 1t is a gratifying
| fact that although city has grown in
population and industrial and commercial
| strength. we have not lost our neighborly
| spirit. We still have an interest in each
others welfare. and I hope that. no mat
| ter how great our city may grow, we
| shall always continue to rejoice in each
others good fortune.
Mr.. Kern, l shall always remember
with sincere appreciation the generous
and hearty welcome extended to me four
years ago. 1t is particularly gratifying
now to me to be able to perform a sim
| liar office for you.
1.-The honor which the Denver conven-
| ton bestowed upon you Is one of the
upon an American citizen by his political
| associates. Honor came to you in a
manner to enhance it. 1t came through
| the unanimous judgment of a great con-
| vention.
Personal Friendship Preserved.
| while we owe allegiance to different
political parties, our differences have
never disturbed our friendships or marred
our personal relations. I admire you as
a friend, peighbor and fellow-citizen and
| rejoice with you in the great distinction
which your party has conferred upon you
| by nominating you for Vice President OF
| the United States. Here political partisan
feeling often runs high. Our campaigns
| are usually waged- with ardor on both
sides. but we never fail to applaud our
| eighbor though he differs with us, il
| he wins distinguished hOnors. We never
| withhold from him an expression of our
neighborly appreciation.
| Your neighbors know that no matter
how much men may disagree with your
political views. they respect your ability
| as a lawyer your emfnence as an orator
your integrity as man, your upright
| ness as neighbor and your admirable
| life within the sacred circle OF home
Il cannot wish you success in your
cause. 1 can, however, express the GER
tain conviction that you will be crowned
with the increased respect and personal
| confidence OF your neighbors.
Ladies and gentlemen, 1 present to
| you the Hon. John w. Kern"
Mr.. Kern's Response.
| trip, Mr.. Kern was in good voice and
the crowd heard him distinctly. Mr.. Kern
said:
Mr.. Chairman, / am tired and some
| what travel worn tonight, and / don't
know that l can make myself heard to
the uttermost limits of this vast audi
| torium. / am sure that / can find no
| words which will in any measure express
the emotions of my heart upon this &C.
| caSion.
| 1T 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 the man 1t repre-
sents l am deeply grateful. but l am
more grateful to Almighty God for
apolis regardless of political utilization.
Touched by the Demonstration.
| Il would be much more or less than a
| man were l not ueeply touched by the
manifestation of your personal friend
ship and confidence which ! have wit
messed from the time 1 alghted at the
| station this afternoon until the present
hour. / may be defeated at the poils
| but il SO. that Is not killing matter. be-
cause l have become accustomed to that,
| but If l should go down to defeat in No
vember. the memory of what has &C.
Cured here tonight will amply repay me
for whatever toll may be my lot between
now and November, and the fact of this
great assemblage attesting your loyalty
and friendship to me / will beaueath to
| my children as a richer legacy than any
other on the face of the earth, or all of
the wealth of the world.
i AN honor of very high character has
come to me. 1 will try, with Gods helm
to wear that honor worthily; wear il In
such a way as to bring neither discredii
nor dishonor on my party. or my native
! state. or this beautiful city which has
thus honored me on this occasion. I am
not vain enough to believe for a moment
that the nomination rendered me, given
me by the national convention Of my par