As for myself, I am the candidate of this great party for reelection to
the office of Governor. Two years ago, after a campaign of remarkable
interest and excitement, I was elected by a majority of nearly 40,000
votes. I have been unspeakably proud of the confidence thus reposed in
me by the patriotic and intelligent people of Kansas, and profoundly
grateful to them as well. I have endeavored to deserve their confidence
and regard by a faithful, impartial, honest discharge of my official
duties. In addressing the convention which renominated me, I said: “I
have never cared, I never shall care, whether any person says that my
official life was brilliant or distinguished, so that all good citizens
are compelled to say that it was clean, just, safe, honest, and
industrious.” I repeat this statement, with earnestness and emphasis. I
came to Kansas nearly thirty years ago, and have lived in the full blaze
of public life ever since. I have served the people of this State in
many capacities—as an editor, a soldier, a legislator, and a public
officer. And although painfully conscious that I have made mistakes, I
can stand up here in your presence, or in the presence of any audience
of Kansas people, and challenge any man to say wherein I was ever
unfaithful to a public trust, or guilty of a corrupt or dishonest
action.