Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 168, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1915 — SPEECH OF WARREN T. M’CRAY AT KENTLAND [ARTICLE]

SPEECH OF WARREN T. M’CRAY AT KENTLAND

Response to Speeches Urging Him to Make Race for Republican Nomination For Governor. -a The following is the complete speech made by Warren T. McCray at Kentland Wednesday when friends from the tenth district urged him to enter the gubernatorial contest. It is worthy the reading of all and shows Mr. McCray to be a man of clear thought and qualified to fill with dignity the position to which his friends would elevate him. The full text of the speech follows: “I would indeed .be less than human if I were not moved by this magnificent demonstration, or, if my heart did not quicken and swell with pride and happiness at this remarkable manifestation of the confidence and esteem which you express by your presence here this afternoon. “I can assure you I am deeply sensible of the significance of this occasion, and I am overwhelmed with humility and gratitude for the kind and complimentary expressions of those who have preceded me. I will forever feel the debt of lasting obligation to my friends throughout this great district, who have assembled here today to ask me to become the standard-bearer of the grand old republican party, rejuvenated and reunited, and to pledge me your earnest and loal support at the next general election.

“I fully realize the honor of even being considered in connection with the office of governor of the greatest state in the American nation, but to me it is even a greater honor to have the confidence and good will of those with whom I have lived and mingled for so many years. Since the date of my birth I have lived in Newton county, and my life to many of you has been on open book. Here for over half a century lived my sainted father and mother. Near here is the hallowed spot which marks their last resting place, together with many near and dear relatives and friends who have been called from this earthly life to the Life Eternal. Here I grew to manhood, and here I married and have reared my family. Here I have builded my various business enterprises which have been to me a source of pride and pleasure. Here I have labored and striven, not so much for the love of gain as for the satisfaction of having accomplished that which I undertook to do. Here ‘I am bound by all the sacred memories of childhood and youth, of early manhood, and maturer years, of joys and sorrows and successes and misfortunes, and when the suggestion was made to me by some of my friends that I turn my back on all this, even temporarily. and seek to obtain the great honor of 'being governor of Indiana, I could not get my own consent to sacrifice the pleasure of my associations and surroundings, and forsake my various business activities to yield to their importunities and desires. “I am patriot enough, however, and

have sufficient party loyalty, to acknowledge the obligation I owe to the party under whose guiding hand this country has made such wonderful progress, that the history of our growth and advancement during the period of their power reads like a tale of enchantment —the party of Lincoln, Morton, Harrison and McKinley! The party, which under the masterful force of that illustrious statesman and lovable man, William McKinley, caused to be woven into the warp and woof of our industrial life the principles of “Protection to American Industries,” and under which we have made such material progress in all lines of business activity that our achievements have been the wonder and marvel of all the civilized nations of the globe. “I feel that I owe a duty to the party under whose administration we have prospered—the party that has given us legislation under which business conditions are improved, and prosperity becomes universal and enduring. I also acknowledge the duty I owe to the state that has schooled me and my children, that safeguards the sacred lives of our families and protects our rights in our property. I also feel that I owe a duty to my county, whose fertile lands produce so bountifully and whose citizenship is of the highest type; and to my home town where I have spent almost my entire life, and which I love with an unspeakable devotion, and which has honored me upon numerous occasions, for all of which I am profoundly grateful. “I acknowledge also that I owe a duty to my friends who have gathered here, as well as many friends throughout the state who have urged me to lay aside my personal feelings in this supreme matter, and consent to make the race for the highest honor that is within the gift of the people of our state. “And so, with the strong sense of these obligations upon me, I cannot now see how I can do otherwise than yield to your desires. I therefore give my consent and thus publicly announce that I will make the contest, with every assurance on my part that I will do all that I can, honorably, to win the nomination and election. I have never sought for political honors, and have had but little experience in state politics. I know my limitations, and realize the task I assume is great; but with your help and support, and the knowledge that I have your confidence to strengthen me, I will go into the fight with enthusiasm and determination to win. I have no pledges to make, or promises to reI cord, except that if I am successful and should be the next governor of Indiana, Gold helping me, I will earnestly strive to give the good people of our great state a clean, honest, wholesome, economical business administration, one that will reflect credit to the party and to all those who are affiliated with us in this campaign, regardless of former political associations, or preferences. “No matter what honors may come to me hereafter, there can be none that will stand out in my memory more clearly than this honor you have shown me today. And it will be my constant prayer and benediction that no act of mine will ever cause you to