The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1894-09-14
a CARD TO THE PUBLIC,
Mr.. Editor:

MI. EulOT;
An explanation of my reasons for with
drawing from the race for State senator
would have been published earlier but for
the fact that the fOterial convention came
off so soon after our mass convention, and
l was fearful that it might in some way
effect the candidates for tlOater.
My first and paramount reason was for
the success and ultimate triumph of the
grand old Democratic party, and | realize
the dangerous margin we have in this SEN
atorial district against fusion ticket, as
l have been assured by the Republicans
and POpuiites that there would be fusion
for senator-no matter whom the Demo-
Gratis nominated.
As has been said by that grand old man,
"A man without enemies is a man with
out friends" and realizing the fact that l
had an enemy at Camden, who has always
been against me n every race that | have
made without an exception, and while |
also realize that ne did not affect me in
this race for the nomination and could
not have affected me in the November
election, and while he said if | received
the nomination he would vote agairstm me,
Cat the same timehe has declared publicly
! that if my brother, a. p. Lashlee, receiy-
ed the nomination ne would support him,
which l am candid enough to say be-
| lieVe ne will do, and while the young
Democracy Of Camden would have voted
and worked Tor me, some of Brother A.
T, Lashlee'8 friends thought as he had
done business in their midst number
Of years and HAD been more Intimately
associated with them perhaps they would
throw more enthusiasm in the canvass
! for him, and while ! do not COncede to
any man that he can carry more votes
| in this county or senatorial district than
can, which has been clearly demonstrate
ed in this county in the past, and which
this canvass shows had not changed in
the least, still, l was willing to withdraw
| in the interest Of brother whom would
as soon see hon0red as to be honored my
self, and especially when l have been
twice honOred with seat in the general
assembly.
But when / made this personal sacri-
flee, realized fully beyond question that
| would have received the nomination on
the first ballot in the convention which
meets at Decaturville September IS. |
had been assured Of the y votes from
Humphreys and votes of Decatur, max
ing total of 81 sold votes,
Now, granting DR., Hawley, my COM
pettor, and his friends their most liberal
request-a division of the vote of Benton
County-it would have given me more,
or total of q votes, and with instruc-
tons for DR., Hawley's votes that as soon
as it was seen that there was no chance
for his nomination to cast the 10 votes OF
Benton solid for me first last and all the
time, | would have received 81 votes and
the nomination on the first ballot, even
if had not received a vote from Hardin
County.
knew this to be the true situation al
the time, yet | was willing to withdraw
IN the interest of the grand Old Democratic
party, whose interest | regard as being
higher than that of any one man, if il
only added to her banner one vote anC
aided to forever set at rest the idea thai
this senatorial district is doubtful "
To the Democracy of this senatorial dis
trict, language fails to express to You the
deep gratitude of my heart for the hearty
support given and kindness shown me il
this contest, and don't know that | shal
ever be a candidate again for any Office
but if | ever should, | don't know PEG
pie on earth to whom ! would prefer t,
90 than those Of this senatorial district
and il can do so in any way it will al
ways be pleasure for me to serve You
May he who shapes and directs the DIES
tiny OF US all guard, proteat and bless You
{ J. p. LAsHLEE.
! Camden, September 10.