Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-01

Ie'clcCVioLs LIS S1ld 10 a lCHSOLJ OuSt
the pith of which is herewith presen-
ted:
10 the Democrats Of Tennessee:
The turn which political affairs have
taken renders it proper that l should
withdraw my name from further con-
sideration before the approaching CUB
bernatorial convention. /, therefore,
announce that / am no longer candi- |
date for denomination for the office of
Governor of Tennessee. 1t is due to |
the rank and file of Democracy, which |
has honored me in the past, and by
whose suffrage | am now in office it is |
due to the friends who have given me
so many proofs of personal esteem, and
who are now my generous supporters,
and it is due to myself that / should
render without reserve, a public state
ment of the reasons which impel nae
to this course,
IL has been my steadfast aim
throughout my tenure of office to keep
all elements of the party united upon
q liberal basis harmonious and ready
for the approaching conflict. | have
persistently pursued and advised a
conservative policy. | have urged the
necessity for the Cancellation of fac
tional antagonism. | have earnestly
endeavored to hold in check the radi-
cal extremes. Before the Inaugural
ton of the present vituperative cam
paign the Democratic party had better
prospects for harmony and success in
Tennessee than in any other Southern
State, on account of this conservative
policy. 1t is now rent by internal dis
sentions and split into hostile factions.
] therefore desire to submit to the
public, as a matter of record, the fol-
lowing brief review of past events
When my name was presented to the
convention of 1890, as candidate for
Governor, my relations to the Farm
ers' Alliance were known to every
member of the convention and to all
the people of the State. have been true
both to the Alliance and the Demo-
cratic party. | would not have &C.
cepted the Office on platform that re-
quired me to be false to either or to
any other organization to which / be-
long. From my entrance upon mar
hood to the present time, have loved
and fought for the grand and eternal
principles of Democracy as enunciated
|
before the law, the preservation
of personal right, the reserv-
ed rights of the State, and the su.
premacy of the Federal Government
within the limits of the constitution.
party which from its name, its organi
cation, and it's history stood before the
country as the representative of these
| ;,NIn IL l,z l. 81 tr
these fundamental tenets were regard
ed as Democrats, and welcomed cor
daily to their just share in party con
troll, whether they agreed exactly or
differed in some respects upon specific
measures of governmental policy.
Prescription for opinions sake, inn
petuous edicts of autocratic rulers, the
domination of petty and insolvent Of
ficials were unknown in its policy. It's
past history proclaimed it the foe of
the tyrant, the autOcrat and bigOt; the
exponent of freedom, equality and
toleration; the friend and protector of
all classes of citizens. When the Far
mers' Alliance was organized joined
it with enthusiasm, because l viewed
it as a useful organization of honorable
men, partisan in character, and
valuable in developing and guarding
the agricultural interests of the land,
/ held it to be wise policy and one
conducive to the best interest of the
whole country that each class of citi-
zens, from the highest to the lowest,
engaged in the same occupation,
should organize themselves into so.
cieties for developing and guarding
their respective interests. Such or
CARNATIONS, first effected among the
professional classes, afterward car.
I ried into commercial and industrial
circles, are on the same basis and
have the same right to exist. They
should be non-partisan in character
! and should not bind the religious OF
political freedom of their members.
Yet it would be absurd to claim that
they shodld shut their eyes to the eff
fects which are produced upon theil
respective interests by State or Federal
legislation. 1t is a duty which they
owe to themselves and to the whole
country, that they should investigate
the effects of legislation, and that they
should formulate and publish theil
views, presenting clearly their claim.
and setting forth especially any partic
ulars wherein legislation, State or Fed
eral, is injurious to their interests, OF
subversive to their rights. To this
: held, and still hold, that no political
party has a right to object. Certainly
the Democratic party, which claims tC
be party of the people, and the FRIEND
to all classes of citizens, should seeE
) light and information in order to adj
/ Just legislation so as to promote the
interests of all. To the expressions, tC
the needs of all classes of citizens, il
should give courteous attention anG
just consideration.
My continued connection with the
Farmers Alliance has strengthened
my opinion of its value in promoting
the agricultural interests of the coun,
try, and has bound me to its members
by the tie of common interest, graft
tude and esteem, but by no political
pledge.
In the canvass as q candidate fol
nomination at the hands of the Demo,
cratic party, / addressed my fellow
citizens at various points, and fully
and freely expressed my views. II
was with full knowledge of these
facts that the Democratic convention
of 1890, the largest and most represent
tative that ever assembled in the CAPT.
tol of Tennessee, nominated me as the
standard bearer of Democracy. In &C.
cord with the direction of the State
Democratic committee the campaign
was conducted, and resulted in ma
jority of nearly 40, 900 votes. The plat
form of principles euunciated was en-
inently wise and conservative. II
breathed the true spirit of Democracy;
it was conciliatory, liberal and frater-
f.o,., H.