And those allusions I shall make right at the outset, so that I can
get down to the part of my speech in which I shall strive, however
feebly, to put before you the principles which I think are at stake in
this contest. For mind you, friends, I hold that this is infinitely
more than a mere faction fight in the Republican Party. [A voice:
“That’s where you’re right.”] I hold that this is infinitely more than
any ordinary party contest, for I claim that we who stand for the
principles of progressive Republicanism [applause and cheers]――that
we who stand for making the principles of Abraham Lincoln living
principles applied to the living issues of to-day――I hold that we are
fighting not only for every good Republican, but for every good citizen
in the United States, whoever he may be. [Cheers.]
And now at the outset, to dispose of the only matters that I have to
take up in connection with Mr. Taft, I am more fortunate than Mr. Taft
in my friends. [A voice: “You bet your life.” Cheers.]