Gentlemen of the convention, my fellow citizens. I accept your nomination, and your program. [applause] i should have preferred to hear those words uttered by a stronger, wiser, a better man than myself. But after listening to the president s speech, i even feel better about myself. None of you, my friends, can really appreciate what is in my heart. I can only hope that you understand my words, they will be few. I have not sought the honor you have done me, i could not seek it, because i aspired to another office. Which was the four major of my ambition. And one does not treat the highest caucus within the game, of the people of illinois, as an alternative or as a consolation prize. I would not seek your nomination for the presidency because the presence of that office staggers the imagination. Its potential for good or evil now, and in the years of our lives. It smothers exploitation, and converts vanity to prayer. I embrace the merciful father, the father of us all, who let this pass
And now my friends, that you have made your decision, i will fight to win that office with all my heart and soul. And with the your help, i have no doubt that we will win. Help me to do the job and this autumn of conflict and of campaign. Yeah and we will justify our glorious paths and the loyalty of silent millions who look to us for compassion, for understanding, and for honest purpose. We will serve our great tradition greatly. I ask of you all you have. I will give you all i have. That was our contender this week, Adlai Stevenson accepting the democratic nomination for president in 1952. We are joined by historian Richard Norton smith here in Adlai Stevensons old study in liberty bell, illinois. Richard norton smith, who was this one term governor . Two millions of americans, thats all he was, a one term governor of illinois. They knew nothing more about him. They had never heard a voice like his. They did not know that in some ways, a Political Revolution was being touched off tha