Page:Inaugural Address of Governor George C. Wallace (1963).pdf/2



Governor Patterson, Governor Barnett, from one of the greatest states in this nation, Mississippi, Brown, representing Governor Hollings of South Carolina, members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation, members of the Alabama Legislature, distinguished guests, fellow Alabamians:

Before I begin my talk with you, I want to ask you for a few minutes patience while I say something that is on my heart: I want to thank those home folks of my county who first gave an anxious country boy his opportunity to serve in State politics. I shall always owe a lot to those who gave me that opportunity to serve.

I will never forget the warm support and close loyalty of the folks at Suttons, Haigler's Mill, Eufaula, Beat 6 and Beat 14, Richards Cross Roads and Gammage Beat...at Baker Hill, Beat 8, and Comer, Spring Hill, Adams Chapel and Mount Andrew...White Oak, Baxter's Station, Clayton, Louisville and Cunningham Place; Horns Crossroads, Texasville and Blue Springs, where the vote was 304 for Wallace and 1 for the opposition...and the dear little lady whom I heard had made that one vote against me..by mistake..because she couldn't see too well..and she had pulled the wrong lever...Bless her heart. At Clio, my birthplace, and Elamville. I shall never forget them. May God bless them.

And I shall forever remember that election day morning as I waited...and suddenly at ten o'clock that morning the first return of a box was flashed over this state: it carried the message....Wallace 15, opposition zero; and it came from the Hamrick Beat at Putman's Mountain where live the great hill people of our state. May God bless the mountain man..his loyalty is unshakable, he'll do to walk down the road with.

I hope you'll forgive me these few moments of remembering...but I wanted them..and you..to know, that I shall never forget.