Address, delivered at a reunion of the surviving officers and
members of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, held at
Wyandotte, Kas., July 29th, 1882.
MR. PRESIDENT: It is often charged that participants in assemblages of
this character are apt to exaggerate the importance of the occasion they
commemorate, and, after the manner of one of our poets, sing in chorus:
“I celebrate myself.” Perhaps I can speak of the Wyandotte Convention
and its work without being accused of this self-gratulation; for I was
more of an observer of its proceedings than a participant in them. I
recorded what was done, but I had no part or lot in the doing. If its
work had been crude or weak, I could not fairly have been held
responsible for the failure. As it was strong, efficient and enduring, I
can felicitate you, the survivors of those who wrought this great
service for Kansas, without a suspicion of self-praise.