The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1898-12-01
HON. JAS. X. VARDAMA
FOR GOVERNOR.

Ouu6I tuo o"PbiOh VI
from Santiago" the Natchez DEM
ocrat of Nov. Goth prints a letter
from Hon. James X. Vardaman.
The Democrat says editorially that
Major Vardaman states that he has
received large number of letters
from friends througho out the state
asking if he will be candidate for
governor, and requesting him to
make reply through the Democrat.
The reply of Major Vardaman
follows:
Camp of the Fifth Regiment, u.
S. V. l., near Santiago de Cuba,
Nov. 6, 1999.-To the editor of the
Democrat: My dear Sir-I have
recently received a large number
of letters from friends throughout
the state asking if l would be a can.
didate for the Democratic nomlna'
ton for governor at the coming
state election in 1899. And as my
time is SO completely taken up
with the exactirg cares and respon'
sibilities of my present trying po-
sition that | cannot possibly answer
them all, | take this method,
through the medium of } our excel
lent paper, of replying. In the
outset | will say that it has been
my ambition for years to serve my
state in the capacity of chief exec
utive, and should the Democratic
party, whose principles honor and
whose interests | have ever served
faithfully since l have been old
enough TO vote, see fit to honor me
with the trust. / shall accept. AS
to my platform of principles and
my capacity to perform the func~
tions of the office, the people OF
Mississippi are familiar with the
former and must judge of the latter.
My public career-uhe part L have
taken in the affairs of the state for
the past decade, and my private
| life is an open book to which l in
vite the closest scrutiny OF every
suffragist within the borders OF the
state. In all matters | have done
the best | could under the circum-
stances, looking always to the hon
or and prosperity of Mississippi
In every campaign since L have
reached manh0od's estate L have.
with alacrity, contributed my mite
of talent, labor and money. When
or where my service Was needed II
has been rendered regardless OF
my private personal interest.
can TRUTH fully say that no draft OF
demand has ever been made upon
my time or talent by the Democra'
cy that has not been most cheerfuilJ
honored; and in reply 'to those whl
would have me leave my post here
and look after my political interest,
| wanu 10 assure them that they
totally misunderstood me. ljolned
the army because / believed 1t my
duty to do so. / did il oyer the
fearful protest of loving wife ano
! five sweet little children. L did II
fully conscious of the sacrifice
which I was making, the perIls tt
be encountered and the hardship'
to be endured. l believed then,
know now, of the absolute justice
of the war. The honor of the flag
and the prestige of my country wer'
involved, and there was nothing
left for me to do bat to go. Aud
came, aud shall stand at my pn.e'
shall defend the stars .a'~d stripes
as long as there is az fmeo enemy
aud when.>.,,,. ,5.Flces are no long
or II [ shall return to my
lime. If, after the people hear me
ffhey shall conclude that | am worth
OF their suffrage, shall consider
myself fortunate. If they shall see
fit TO cali another, in the future, as
in the past, | shall bow most grace
fully to their mandate. But, in the
meantime, | shall remain here, look
lug after my sick men (many OF
whom are in very critical condition
meeting the onslaught of pestilence
disease and death, and preparing tt
devote attention to the common en-
envy, should he not De satisfied
with what he has already received
"Cordially and sincerely,
JAS. X. WARD AMAN .