The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-07-12
WITHDRAWAL
OF Gov. McMillin From Senatorial Race
Party Veal at Heart.

10 the democracy OF IenhosSoe-ln
closing a speech made by me at Pulaski
on March ., 1900, among other things,
l said.
ut is known to you all that it has
been my ambition to represent our
magnificent state in the United States
senate, This have never concealed.
l have had twenty years experience in
congress, which / believe would give
me valuable equipment for the SEN
ate. You know whether 1 discharged
my duty faithfully, periodically and
efficiently while there
=" For twenty-six years, Tennessee
Democracy has never had battle in
which did not participate with all my
energy and ability, During that time,
when there was no contest on in Ten
nessee, | have gone when called to
other states to help perpetuate the
principles of our party and advance the
cause of good government Seventeen
autumns in the past twenty-six years of
my life have been thus spent. How
efficient were those services | am con-
tent to leaye with democracy every
where.
"'When by the narowest possible
majority l was defeated for the senate,
| went forth again to do battle for my
party, proclaiming that abided by the
decision of the majority, and that the
good of the state was above all personal
ambitions.
Now he who succeeded then de-
clines to stand for reelection. The
office now, as then, is with the people
to bestow on whom they think can serve
them most ably. If, in their wisdom,
their chosen representatives see fit to
elect me, shall show my appreciation
of the great honor by discharging to
the utmost of my ability, and with the
greatest possible fidelity the high trust.
In the future, as in the past, my serv-
ices are at the command of my party
for my country; and in the future, as in
the past the will Of my party shall be
the law of my conduct and the good Of
my country my highest concern
"Since that time many of my friends
in every section of the state have in
terested themselves in my behalf and
have urged the election of men for the
Legislature who would vote for men in
the pending contest for United States
senator. Other friends, whose loyalty
[ could not doubt, have insisted that /
should make the race for governor and
not allow the use of my name in any
iother connection. The state demo
cratic convention, which convened in
Nashville June 10 last, endorsed my
administration and honored me with a
denomination for governor by acclama-
ton.
SIN certain counties the contest as
conducted has, in the opinion of many
democrats, caused contentious and di
visions within the party which they
think may injure the cause of democ
! Tracy.
This is one of the most important
battles ever waged by democracy fol
the perpetuation of sound principles o.
government In this contest our grea
party is entitled to have not only thu
lvote, but the active, Jealous work O
Severy democrat. Every voter and ev
J sery nominee should stand ready to Dc
Everything and make all sacrifices nee
Sessary to secure it,
"I am told by friends whose fidelity
and patriotism 1 do not question tina
1.-THE continued use of my name in con
fnection with the senatorial contest ma,
tprevent that harmony and concert o
faction among democrats necessary t.
tsecure in November the triumphan
, | victory which we SO ardently desire.
Therefore, to remove all excuse TO
tcontention among democrats, or caus
for division, / announce that do no
wish my name further used in connec
e lion with the pending senatorial con
p test, and that it will not be presented
/ to the democratic caucus as candidat
1t to succeed Hon. Thomas B. Turley il
y the United States senate"
Il 81 am profoundly grateful to TIL
y many friends who have manifested in
70 terest in many aspirations, and hav
r honored me with their valuable SUP
g, port. realize that this announcement
is may cause the disappointment; but, be
A ieving that the best interests of GU
ID party will be observed by simplifyin
1t the situation, and that the good of til
% party is more important than the asp
4, rations or success Of any man, | tax
I'd this course. BENTON MCMIILIN. "
le ''w1sE AND PATRIOTIC"
e Hon. e. W. Carmack, who is at hi
headquarters in the Maxwell House t.
= day, when asked this morning for a
expression as to Gov, McMillln's witt
~ drawal from the senatorial race, said:
- 81 think Gov. McMillin's action VIZ
- wise and patriotic, and that his forbiC
ding the use of his name and declarin
- that it should not go before the part
-, caucus will be conduciye to party ha
-. mony in the state. Considerable fri
~ ton and more or less party dissensic
- had begun to appear in a number of Il
counties and this might become serioI