The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-04-14
ssIF-DEFENSe.

RoWtin "a: raes On Monday. April 3.
aud subsequently Repeated AT HOP
ktusvflfe.
FELLOW crrizESs-I appear before You
today in Difference to a sense of duty winch
7 feel that o We no less to my own self
respect than to INV friends here and
,hrou yhout the State. My name has
b-cH before the Democratic party Of Ken
turkv rs a candidate tor the Gubernatori-
al nomination for more than year.
Without any intimaiion of such intention,
and wholly without any suggestion from
or consultation with me, or any OF my
friends. my name was presented as that
of one suitable to fill the Office Of Govern
or. Never having been a candidate for
anv office before the people, although a
consistent voter and worker ia the DEM
ocratic party of Kentucky for twenty-one
wears. the proposition seemed to meet
with such a response from the party that
] did not ieel at liberty to decline the use
of nv name. Recognizing the dignity
and responsibility OF the Chief Executive
Ofice. I felt that it was neither to be
sought nor declined, and, at an early pc.
riod, said frankly that, il my qusliica-
tons and services were such as commend
ed me to the position, should esteem II
an honor to receive the nomination, and,
If elected, would seek to discharge the
duties of il with fidelity and whatever OF
ability / might possess. A residence IN
Frankfort, embracing nearly two Guber-
material terms, under circumstances which
have given me an insight into and
an intimate acquaintance with the details
of the Executive administration OF the
State. inspired me with the hope that
might bring TO the office valuable expe-
rience not often possessed by one who
has not occupied the position, or one UNI
acquainted with the grave responsible
ties.
From the time indicated have endeav-
ored TO bear myself in a manner consist
ent with the dignity and honor OF the po-
sition to which nov aspire. Deprived
BY circumstances beyond my control o.
the opportunity ofa personal acquaintance
with the people Of the State. except IN Q
comparatively limited sphere. / have, as
nv duties to my business and family
would permit. taken occasion TO visit
number OF counties, and, while making
myself familiar with the topographica
features of the different sections OF this
State and its agricultural and mineral re
sources. sought to become better acquaint
ed with the people, politically and social
liz. Believing that the Democratic party
should be left tree to decide upon the real
or supposed merits and qualifications Of
the several candidates, without undue ap
peals to their prejudices or passions,
have abstained from public speaking IN
advocacy Of my precautions, and have
only in rare instances appeared before
public assemblies. rather briefly to apol-
ogize DOR NOT speaking than to make for
NAL addresses ....
WILLIAMS CHARGES.
Those who have observed the progress
OF the canvass will bear me witness that
have abstained, even under great prov
ocation, from replying to charges made
upon me more or less directly, by one Of
nv competitors (Gen. Williams who ad-
dressed you here several weeks ago, even
though friends, in whose wisdom and dis
erection had confidence, have urged it as
being demanded by the unwarranted ma
ture of the assaults TO which ] was SUBJ
jected. 1 have forborne patiently to
take part in discussions which seemed
calculated only to stir up passions which
should better remain dormant, preferring
even to make a personal sacrifice than to
seem to be party to a system oil cleo
tioneering as novel as it is unbecoming.
But my very forbearance has seemed only
to encourage greater severity Of attack,
until, at last, it is easy 10 see that l must
either abandon the contest, with sem
blance Of acquiescence in the charges
with which am assailed, or meet them
in such manner as they deserve. / am
here to-day for that purpose, and | trust
that in what have to say shall be able
20 discharge my duty 10 myself and
friends, without deviating from line
consistent with the most scrupulous pro-
prieties of the occasion. j therefore beg
your careful attention 10 my remarks,
which shall be as brief as the nature oI
the subject will admit
You heard the speech Of Gen. Williams
which. as regards myself. is in substance
that which he is reported 10 have made
unanswered. in a number Of counties in
the State I shall strive TO restrain my
natural resentment at the slurs and
charges with which he asssils me, and
the involuntary derision which his self
adultation provokes, while L calmly re-
view the position he has assumed.
The charges in his indictment are:
First-That am "the candidate Of the
press ring" implying that have been
presented to the Democratic party as the
result OF movement set on foot by the
Kentucky Press Association" OF which
Ihaye been for some time the president.
Second-That am the candidate of the
Frankfort clique" implying the exist.
ence of an organized body Of prominent
politicians and placemen at Frankfort,
operating in my interest and in their own,
as contradistinguished from that of the
Democratic party.
Third-That he has, by his eminent
services in two wars, as the ''hero o.
Cerro Gordo" in the Mexican war, and al
"the hero Of two hundred battles" in the
late war, become entitled to the Govern
orship, while !, from failure TO possess
these military distinctions. am not-th'
seif-laudation being coupled with inuen
does intended TO cast an impntation upor
the humble part took in the late war.
JOHNSTON AND THE PRESS.
Now the press OF Kentucky needs M
vindication at my hands. Its present at
fitude, and It's course through this protrac
ted canvass, is the best refutation of tn,
charge upon which it is arraigned.
spurn with Indignation, as one of its rep
resentatives, the imputaton that it hat
supported me with servility, or with an,
evidence ofan organized movement. from
the mere tact of my having been one O
I a FL nat IN.