A Speech in Mersin, 17 March 1923

When Atatürk came to Mersin on March 17, 1923, the young doctor Reşit Galip, who took the floor at the meeting held in the Nation's Garden, said, "Do you need to talk about your victories before you? In the middle of the scorched and hot deserts of the west, everyone learned, from the Negroes hoping for news of the Sam winds.” He gave a welcome speech that began. 
Meanwhile, Mustafa Kemal's statement while resigning from the army inspectorate"You are not only a mujahid, a savior and a hero of this nation, you are much bigger than these; You are a member of this nation. Your first greatness is your confidence and pride in being a member of this nation . "

On behalf of the people of Mersin in the Nation's Garden, Dr. Reply to Reşit Galip's speech:

"Dear brothers!

I think the words of our young and very valuable doctor, Reşit Bey, can be analyzed from two perspectives.

The first is the feelings that directly translate to the feelings of my heart, conscience and the conscience of the respectable Mersin people. I will suffice with thanks for that. As the truly respected doctor said, for me, the greatest position and reward in the world is to live as a member of the nation. If Allah Almighty has made me successful in this, I would like to thank and praise him. As I am today, I will be proud of being a servant of the nation for the rest of my life.

Distinguished people of Mersin, I would also like to thank you for your sincere and exciting demonstrations about me today. I also have to admit that from the day I came to this moment, I know the level of my feelings and satisfaction, I am at ease and confident that, like my brothers everywhere, there are brothers who love and care for me here. Citizens of Mersin, your hometown Turkey has a very important point, it is a very important trade point. Your hometown is Turkey's most important connection point with the whole world. You know this better than me. The pains, troubles and deprivations you have suffered in order to have your homeland have been great. You evaluate this. Let's all wish that the painful days are not repeated. You really have to be worthy of it. The victory of the bayonets and weapons of our precious children on the battlefields is not enough. This victory and success is huge.

However, in order to have real prosperity and happiness, it is necessary to work after that. The field of victory and progress for you is in the economy, in commerce. If you understand this, you have to work hard. Otherwise, even if you say that you are the real owner of the country, you cannot convince anyone. I am expressing this truth with my words full of truth. The heart wishes; Let me stay here for an hour, not a day, for a long time, let's have more private conversations. But for now there is no time for that. I have to cut my word. As the last word, I will say, be the real owner of this country. The hours I spent here have been very precious to me. I bid you all farewell with deep love; Goodbye guys."

Source:  Sovereignty Milliye, 21.03.1923