July 17

Falls City, NE

The Populist, Falls City, NE, 17 July, 1896.

"Fellow Citizens: It is exceedingly gratifying to be received in this way when I return to the State that has given me heretofore all the political honors that I have enjoyed and of all the counties in this state none have been more loyal than Richardson county. When we crossed the river at Rulo we found Rulo decorated and if they didn't meet me with as many people as you have it is because they didn't have as many in the town. During both of my campaigns for Congress this county gave me a majority, and I trust in this campaign, with the grandest platform upon which a candidate has run, in recent years, I am greatly obliged to you and I hope I may hereafter have an opportunity of taking you all by the hand and expressing the gratitude which I feel. I am particularly grateful for this demonstration, for we have on board the train a number of special correspondents for the eastern papers and I want them to see you and look in your faces and carry back word that you can be trusted with the government of this country. I want them to look into the faces of as honest and patriotic people as can be found in any part of the world, and know that you and all the people scattered over this nation can be trusted to govern this nation without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation."