The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-23
ar. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle

Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle !.
men:
My heart rejoiced when the invi !.
tation came bidding me to come to
be with you today, not because
enjoy speech making, but because
the acceptance of the invitation
would bring me back to scenes
aroudn which cluster fondest memo
ries, and once more give me the hap
py privilege Of meeting face to face
and enjoying a warm handclasp.
with those whom l have long cher F.
ished as my friends and in whose
happiness and prosperity I am al.
ways deeply interested. ,...
Throughout the State when have
been privileged to address an as
sembly of the citizens Of Florida, I
have always regarded 1t fitting and
proper for me to make public ack
nowledgement of my gratitude for
the token Of confidence extended to
me by the people of our great State;
and, today I wish to express to you
my appreciation Of your confidence
and esteem, and especially the 10y
atty of the people of my home coun .
ty and my home town. Your trust
and belief in me has been source
of great encouragement and made
possible my Advancement into wider
fields OF endeavor for the public
good.
never attend an occasion OF this
kind IN any county in the State, but
that I am deeply pleased in the evi
dence Of their prosperity and feel a
real pride in their county fair, but
am sure I shall be pardoned for
feeling q peculiar pleasure and O
greater zest in attending and tax
ing . part in the program Of the
county fair Of my home county and
in my home town.
The citizens Of Polk county have
ever been alive to her interests and
are known throughout tn State as
thrifty. prosperous and progressive.
This fair will add to your already
splendid reputation, for 1t will stand
as q milestone marking the advance
of your material welfare and the
development Of our county's rich
natural resources.
Though my public duties for the
past six years have required me to
be at the State capital, and there /.
fore deprived me of the pleasure OF
daily mingling and associating with
the good people of Polk county. l
have none the less been gratifed
and pleased to observe the wonder
full era Of development throughout
this county. The people OF Florida
may we'll be proud of the growth OF
the entire State during the past de-
cade. and this particular section Is
TO be congratulated upon its un-
usual development.
This Is great day for Lakeland
and Polk county; it is significant
because II marks the opening of this
fair. through which much good is
to be accomplished. 1t, too, is a day
of note and significance throughout
the nation because it is the birthday
of the Father OF our country. and
may we not pause for moment to
pay honor and our tribute of es
TEEN to that great historic char
acter who was first in war. first in
peace. and first in the hearts of his
countrymen. In our present era OF
freedom and Of liberty. holding out
as it does equal rights to all We can
not fully appreciate the great serv-
ice rendered to our country by the
TIustrious Washington and other
loyal and courageous men OF his
day. They wrought great blessings.
however, for mankind and to them
ua ava aIierfance and an everlast-