]868.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 183

To be again selected by the representative men of my
State, under all the circumstances and complications, is truly
ratifying to me, especially when it is known and admitted
That my honorable competitor was one of the most popular
and elegant gentlemen of this State.

I am at a loss to find words sufficiently strong to express
the gratitude and emotions which I feel on this occasion, hut
permit me to say I do sincerely thank you, from my inmost
heart, for the very high honor and compliment you have
paid me ; for the approval of my official acts since I have
been Treasurer ; for the approval of my convictions of right
and duty toward the citizens of my native State, in lending
my humble influence toward restoring every voter to the
high and inestimable privilege of citizenship ; and, above
all, in that you have sustained me, by recognizing me as one
of a noble party who has made common cause for the restora-
tion of every State to a proper position in our once happy
and glorious Union.

The Democratic Conservative party., by its patient faith,
its devoted courage, its heroic acts, its unswerving fidelity to
sound principles, has achieved within the past year unpar-
alleled success.

The issues which were presented to us, were well calculated
to nerve the heart and energy of every honest aiid fair minded
man. They were, whether this great country was to be ruled
by the white race, or he placed under the controlling in-
fluence of the uneducated descendants of Africans. This was
and is yet the issue.

I beg again, gentlemen, to tender to you, one and all, my
deepest gratitude for this renewal of your confidence, and
promise that the State shall have the benefit oi my humble
ability and efforts in every possible way that can be sug-
gested in order to promote and develops her interest.

I accept the office again, with its honors and responsibili-
ties, and shall endeavor iu the future, as in the past, to
merit and deserve the confidence of the people of my State.
Again thanking you, I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully yours,

ROBERT FOWLER,

Treasuer.
Which was read, ami,

On motion of Mr. Smith, of Worcester,
Ordered to be entered on the Journal.
On motion of Mr. Harig,

At 2| o'clock, P. M., the House adjourned until to-morrow
morning at 11 o'clock A. M.