Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-20

OF their own did not put out n candi
date for the Senate as an exponent OF
these views. Why they did not do so
l do not know; but one thing is GER
tain, they had right TO do so if they
had so desired, and l believe that the
purcst patriotiem burned in the bosom
of these men. and they spurned every
selfish thought. ana were so true to
their ownselVes that they would not
put themselves in an attitude where
they could be charged with handling
such important public questions for the
hope of personal gain. Their motives
were impusned throughout this State.
1t was openly charged thai they had
gotten up the movement for the pur
pose Of helping some one To be elected
to the United States Senate. They all
disclamcd any such purpose, and am
told that each and every one OF them
declined TO allow their names 10 be con-
sdcred for moment. l do know that
almost any one OF those gentlemen
could have had a loyal and enthusiastic
support as a candidate for the United
States Senate If they would have nc-
cep;ed this public service.
LOGICAL CANDIDATE.
"AIr Jones was especially urged. as
he has been the leader of the move
mcnt, to become Il candidate and to my
mind he was the logical candidate and
exponent OF those views. lie declined
to do SO. had not hcsita;cd from the
beginning to express my sympathy with
liz movement. While that convention
was in session many OF the gentlemen
that attended called upon me and urg-
ed ME TO announce myself as Il candi-
date for the United States Senate. MT.
Jones was very kind ana pressing and
saw me several times on the subject.
/ declined; not that feared for q mo-
ment that | could not be successful.
nor that failed 10 appreciate the COM
pliment that WAS paid me, or under
estimate the honor OF q seat In the
United States Senate; but there were
other reasons. and these I frankly and
candidly gave the friends who were
kindly urging me to take UP their cause.
| told them that the cherished ambi-
ton of my life had been To be Govern
or of Virginia; that had never had n
dream beyond it. and that 1 wanted to
serve out my term in peace and with
the approval Of the people. l had
never taken my seat at my desk with
ont asking God to guide me and to
bless the people that had so honored
me- l love Virginia and I wanted 10
have the approval Of all the Virginia
people. My ambition was only to make
one OF the best Governors. under Gods
guidance. l possibly could. have mea-
suTes and plans that l want TO carry
out which l think will rebound to the
good of my state. l felt that If en-
tered the Senatorial race il would ex-
cite the prejudice of those who would
oppose me they would try to destroy
the success of my administration, and
the beauty OF the picture that | have
laid out before me. Then, too. l real
lied that my administration had fallen
or q time the most interesting In the
history Of our country. The two last
years OF the nineteenth century. and
the first two years OF the twentieth
century what u period in the life of
our country. The first year OF nv ad-
ministration Witnessed events that
caused the world 10 stand aghast and
wonder at our power and our future.
In n few short months cur navy had
swept from the seas the navy. ana had
put to flight the, army of one OF the
nTcudest and greatest nations OF the
earth. In the twinkle of an eye. almost,
we had oei;ed the globe and shaken the
Old World from center TO circumfer-
ence. We saw this nation depart from,
old time sentiments, policy and tradi-
tions, and whether We approved /, or
not. become an imperial power. AMI a.
one STROKE took In the far distant isles
Of the sea and planted our banners on
the opposite side OF the world. Great
things We're done and great and mighty