It was the good of the State and the best interests of its people rather than the personal advancement of an individual that actuated me.

The exalted position now occupied by you I consider a confirmation of the wisdom of my decision.

But the fact cannot be overlooked that while you are an able and influential leader in the Democratic party, I am, though not so able nor so influential, a leader,--locally, if not nationally,--in the Republican party.

While I can neither hope nor expect to reach that point of honor and distinction in the Republican party that you have reached in the Democratic, I am just as proud of the position I occupy to-day as a Republican, as it is possible for you to be of yours as a Democrat.

Even if it be true, as you predict--of course I do not agree with you--that the Republican party will be out of power for the next quarter of a century, or even if that party should never again come into power, that fact cannot and will not have the slightest weight with me.