The Van Buren press., 1903-05-30
GOV. Davis Wants a Third term.

To the Democracy of the State of Ar.
! kansas:
Since the adjournment of the legisla-
! ture ! am daily in receipt Of many COM
munications from my friends through
out the state making inquiry as to my
future political course, aud that the
matter may be definitely settled and
they may be put upon guard, | make
| this public statement When ! was
| renominated for governor last June,
| had no thought or intention Of ever ask
| ing the people of this state again for the
| office Of governor; my only thought and
ambition was TO serve them faithfully
and we'll. Certain great questions had
| arisen during that campaign upon which
! the Democracy Of Arkansas spoke in
| convention assembled, and which
| hoped would be forever settled by the
recent legislature, whose servants they
were. | looked forward with a great
| deal of pleasure and with a great deal
Of hope that the wishes and will of the
| people would be carried out by that
body, but, to my utter amazement and
surprise, the will Of the people was
stihed. They asked for bread and were
given stone. They asked for relief,
and We're scofled at, and the vials of
wrath Of that body was turned loose
upon me in the most unjust and merci-
| less warfare that has ever been Waged
| against a public officer in this or any
other state. Charges involving my
| honor, the good name of my mother
| and father, my family, were preferred
| against me without the slightest pre-
| text, aud hurled broadcast through the
| press Of this nation. My impeachment
was sought for high crimes and misde-
meanors in Office, price was placed
| upon my official head, and a deep-laid
well.considered far reaching scheme
was entered into TO ruin me and drag
my family down to infamy and shame.
Yet when the Legislature came TO the
crucial test, they didn have the man.
| hood or the courage to carry out their
lniqutous schemes, but adopted re-
port referring the whole matter to the
people.
Had they acquitted me before that
| body | should not have asked you for
reelection to the Office Of governor, but
since they have selected the people of
this state rs jury to try and determine
this issue most willingly do leave it
| to you and accept the challenge and TO
you | shall come when the proper time
shall arrive with the facts, and shall
| ask You TO nominate and elect me as
your chief executive, shall ask you to
| acquit me of the vile charges that have
been hurled against me- If can but
| call the old guard together again, aud
they will stand like Spartans as they
have always done, | shall not fear the
result Twice you have bourne me
kindly and gently in your arms over
this crowd of calumniators To shrink
from their blade now would be cowardly
and unmanly; to fawn before my ira.
duCers would be unjust 10 myself and
my friends, | would want my children
to forget my memory, and my body
| buried IN the rude, rough sands Of the
sea to be ever forgotten should | be
guilty Of such CowardiCe,
Therefore, my friends | say 20 You
that am candidate for governor, and
| solicit your most earnest and Jealous
support and ask that you stand guard
from now until the primary shall end
If we can whip this political crowd once
more, think n victory will have been
achieved for the people Of this state |
am ready 10 make the fight VIII you
stand by mey Very respectfully,
JEFF DAVIS.