buted to me as a fault. I was compelled to say 'No' a thousand
times where I would gladly have said 'Yes.' I was compelled to
decline the advice of men honestly given for a good purpose, because
in my judgment that advice would not promote the public good. And
now, having been elected by you under those adverse circumstances,
I feel my heart overflowing with gratitude, and have no words with
which to utter my thanks. I am glad, however, of the assurance
you have given me by the unanimous nomination of my Republican
friends, and by the courtesy, kindness and forbearance of my
adversaries.

"I am glad to know and feel the assurance that you now believe
that, under the trying circumstances, I did the best I could to
advance the common interest of our common country.

"And I am glad to approve the votes that were given by my Democratic
fellow-citizens here in the contest yesterday and to-day. If any
man could be chosen from the State of Ohio to advocate in the
American Senate the principles of the Democratic party, there is
no man in Ohio, or in the United States, more deserving of that
honor than Allen G. Thurman. For many years he and I served together
as representatives of opposing parties. We, each with the vigor
and power we could, endeavored to impress our views upon the public,
to carry out the line of policy to which our political friends were
devoted. And in all that time no words of unkindness, no words of
asperity, have passed between us. We never brought Ohio quarrels
before the Senate of the United States, and always found that
honesty and ability were entirely consistent with gentlemanly
courtesy between political opponents.

"And I wish also to return my grateful acknowledgments to Governor
Foster for the kindly language with which he has introduced me to
you, and to many distinguished citizens of Ohio who, by their kind
and generous forbearance, have enabled you, without division, to
send a Senator to the Congress of the United States without a
quarrel, a contest or a struggle, and I feel under obligations to
the gentleman who has introduced me largely for this distinguished
honor and courtesy.

"I can only say then, in conclusion, fellow-citizens, that I am
glad that the opportunity of the office you have given me will
enable me to come back here home to Ohio to cultivate again the
relations I had of old. It is one of the happiest thoughts that
comes to me in consequence of your election tha