Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-30
I SHALL STRIVE FOR
BLESSINGS OF PEACE
a Believe in Georgia CiviIiza-
ton and Institutions, He
Says In Convention Speech

Following Is the speech that Gov.-elect
John H. slaton delivered Wednesday to
the state Democratic convention by which
he was nominated:
with devoted loyalty to the platform
which you have adopted. accept the
Desperate nomination to the governor
snip Or Georgia
'Thissis the time OF. Democratic har-
mony. It marks the passage OF strife
and division. n graduates that dissen-
sion which has separated our citizens
and which has entered the communities
Of our state. and has esteemed its people
and has exalted factional loyalty above
fidelity TO the great principles upon
which our government was founded, and
uposn adherence TO which. its perpetuity
must be maintained. Henceforth our
disagreements viii be upon measures,
and the great cltixenry OF our state. I'M
embarrassed BY personal bitterness. may
be relied upon to settle our problems with
a fgdgment guided alone BY lofty pat
ri0nsm
believe In Georgia civilization and
instftutions. The suggestions Of distant
stats and allen people arouse apprehen-
sion more than confidence 4 believe in
constitutions that guarantee the inalien-
able rights Of the weak and the unpopu-
lar believe IN representative govern
ment as the wisest product OF the gen.
fns OF our forefathers. trust the people
a. the final repository OF that power upon
whose exercise repend their liberties and
prosperity. The government is for the
people and not the people for the gov
ernment. and every effort OF the states
man should be 20 make the citizen
sovereign. living In the atmosphere OF
that Treed0m. which alone can make for
his zighesf achievement and develop
ment ~
j do not believe in that multiplication
Of Jaws which hampers the energies Of
the cTtixen. and subjects him 70 serf-
spotfc authority. ea
we now enjoy blessings far sur
rassins those OF any people upon the
globe, Every citizen has the right 70
appeal his cause te the highest court
q The state. without cost or bond JUS
tfce is sacred within our domain. and
every man can claim il as s matter OF
right We are heirs to that liberty fer
which our. ancestors fought for thou
sand years. and no man can be depriv-
Cd Of his life. liberty or property save
hy . jury Of. his peers.
The people OF every municipality
and county can control their own NJ
fairs aad- decide their own interests
ana no centralized power can dictate
to them what they shall do. We have
no common people, but all are mobiles
BY virtue q the divine stamp which
makes honesty the patent OF nobility.
r am personally gratfied to be
your nominee in the year which shall
witness the election Of = southern
Democrat and statesman as president
OF TIE United States. For years he
was . citizen Of Georgia. and from our
people he. chose that helpmeet who
constitutes the happiest possession OF
any true man. A student Of govern
ment he knows its science and nece=-
stiles. and his sympathies are limited
b. no class or section Recognizing
the eternal principles whose abandon-
ment means. disaster he speaks the
message Of hope and progress to the
people OF this nation. Realizing that
starvation means retrogresSton, ne
knows the lessons OF history. and with
his guiding hand. the ship OF state
VIII run On no shoals or sunken rocks.
Everywnere in every state, IN every
business and calling the people sre
looking 10 woodrow Wilson to restore
confidence 70 the citizen in our form
az sgovernmsnt to meet and solve the
problems OF our civilization hope
Georgia may be the banner Democrats
STATE Of the union. and give him an
inspiration and encouragement in the
successful accomplishment OF his great
work
I'm conclusion. I wish my adminis-
fratfon to Be marked by the blessings
AZ peace. II the farmer shall have
lifted Georgia 70 higher place in tie
roll OF agricultural states, IL the bless
fnns Of education can be more wide
il extended; II the workman may find
his burden lightened in q broader horn
zon OF hope and achievement; IL the
business nan shall reap q larger re-
ward from endsavor and skill: If the
sum total Of happiness OF the people II
nv native state be increased, my full
est ambition viii be satisfied"