The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1899-01-28
Letter From Capt. Jas. K. vardaman.
The Echo is in receipt of the fol-
lowing circular letter from Capt.
Jas. X. Vardaman

/
lowing circular letter from Capt
Jas. X. Vardaman
To the Press:-Reeent develop
ments make it necessary for M
to return Immediately TO my com
nland at Santiago de Cuba, wher'
| shall probably be detained unit
the latter part of the spring. Thi
enforced absence will necessaril,
prejudice somewhat the interes
of my candidacy for the Demo
cratic nomination for governor
since my honorable opponent'
will doubtless at once begin the
crusade, making acquaintance ane
securing commitments, and other
wise building up their politica
fences. I, of course, regret the
conditions which render it impos
sibie for me to be with them al
the beginning and discuss the is.
sue with the people, but duty calls
me elsewhere and | must obey
True 1t is, that [ could resign my
place in the army and not return
to Santiago; but | owe something
to the brave men who followed
me into the Cuban campaign.
They cannot resign, however
heavily the burden may rest upon
them, Or great their desire to do
50, and | do not feel that [ have
right TO leave them in that miser-
able pest hole, especially since they
have signifed desire to have me
stay with them. Their lot has been
a hard one indeed, aud God Al
mighty and they alone, will ever
know just how terrible the ordeal
through which they have passed.
God bless them! | would that I
possessed the eloquence of Prem
tiss that | might fttingly express
my admiration and love for them.
Heroic boys indeed, are they who
responded to the call of their coun-
try, araved pestilence and death,
and went forth to do, and if need
be, die, for the right. To leave
them now, would be base treache-
ry on my part, and [ shall not do
it, regardless of the effect upon
my personal or political fortune.
It has been one of the cardinal
the guiding principals of my life,
to maintain loyalty to every trust,
stand steadfastly by my friends,
watch my enemies, and in all mat
ters do my duties as | understood
it, and it is too late now to
change. ALI that | would ask of
the people of Mississippi is, with
hold your judgment, make no
committals until you shall have
heard, and considered we'll the
claims of every candidate for your
suffrage. AS stated above, ! hope
to return the latter part of spring
lin ample time to make a thor
ough canvass Of the State and tc
discuss fully with the people, the
living issues of the day. AND
should | be so fortunate as to re.
seive the stamp of their approval
at the ballot box, [ shall give then
a clean, honest administration
untainted by the foul flavor OF
nepotism, the prostitution of of
fetal patronage to the pusillani,
nous purpose of Furnishing my
personal or political enemies.
building up my political fortune
or awarding incompetent partl.
SANS at the public expense ant
disgrace. In all matters | shall
labor for the honor, progress ane
prosperity of our beloved State
guided alone by the traditions ant
written declarations of the Demo
cratic party, and an exalted pur:
pose to do right. Cordially ano
sincerely, JAS. K. VARDAMAN.