The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-29


all her failures and successes. that star
still shines, and has become the bright
est in the constellation of states. The
late Eugene Ware, Kansas greatest
poet, said:
"Of all the states, but three will live
in story:
Old Massachusetts, with her Plymouth
Rock,
And old Virginia with her noble
stock,
And Sunny Kansas with her woes and
glory"
I am not unmindful of the great re-
Sponsibilities before me. The people of
Kansas have chosen me for this high
position and 1 will not allow myself
to shrink from any public obligation.
I will endeavor to faithfully and hon.
estly discharge the arduous duties de-
volved upon me without fear or favor
according to the dictates of my con-
science and the wishes of the people
1 represent.
I thank you for doing your part, in
carrying out the will of the people,
and incidentally comforting upon me
this great honor. I congratulate you
upon the faithful performance of your
duty, which I trust will meet the ap-
proval of all honest and patriotic citi-
zens. With the help of God, and with
all the strength and vigor of young
manhood, developed from rugged pio-
neer life upon the plains, and by SO
years (to this very day. of hard and
constant work in this state, / hope
to prove in every way worthy of the
confidence you have reposed in me.
My greatest ambition will be to rem
der the highest official service posi-
Bile to promote the best interests Of
ho
to accomplish those things which will
help make the life of the men and wo-
men who hereafter dwell upon our soil,
easier, better and happier than has
been my lot to enjoy. When a boy of
only s years 1 was obliged to walk
to my first home in Kansas
No man is fit to represent a people
unless he is of the people. That be-
long to them every page in the book
of my life in Kansas emphatically pro-
claims. My happiest thought is in the
consciousness that my heart beats in
unison with the pulse of the people. I
am thankful my life has been such
that L can fully understand and ap-
preciate the real meaning and force
of the suggestive Kansas motto, ITO
the stars through difficulties
In our governmental affairs, it is
significant that there is. a growing
sentiment among patriotic men that
American citizens of the twentieth CEN
fury are no longer morally bound by
the rules of action in vogue in Europe
and the Orient centuries ago. The
baptisma1 law of common sense. the
fair play and the square deal; syn
onyms of justice to all, has been a
long time on the way, but it is here
and must be met as only God-fearing,
brave, intelligent men meet great is
sues as they arrive.
The people demand the right to con-
troll as nearly as practicable all the
branches of their government. They
simply ask that the mana cement of
the government shall again be placed
in their own hands from whence it
came and where it of right belongs.
We must as a people get back to and
stand squarely upon the firm ground
of American common sense, as illus
trated by Washington, jefferson, Jack
son and Lincoln. 1t is time to dis
card a worthless tinsel and demand
the pure gold. A government for the
people means for all the people: the
citizen with one dollar and the citizen
with one million dollars. Each must
enjoy the liberties and opportunities
guaranteed to every 1aw-abiding citi-
zen of the American republic. The
homes, the farms, the workshops, the
free public schools, are the great pill
lars in the temple of American liberty
stone of the entire structure. While we
may honestly differ as to- just what
must be done to accomplish the best
results, yet I have come to the con-
clusion. with the teachings of my fore
fathers in my mind and heart, that the
best service any citizen can render for
himself must come from the unse1fish
patriotic service he gives to others.
Kansas Oil Goes Higher.