The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-09-09
Sounds the Keynote of the
Democratic State
Campaign.
Mastery Speech by Kentucky'S
Executive at Winchester,
September 5th.
The Following is the Text of Gov.
Beckham'S Opening Speech
on Saturday.

welcome the opportunity which this
occasion presents, and l rejoice that the
time Is at hand for the democratic party,
with its ranks united and enthusiastic, to
enter a campaign before the people or
Kentucky for the election OF their state
officers next November.
On our part, intend that the contest
shall be an aggressive. not a defensive,
one; that the people shall be thoroughly
acquainted with the issues involved, and
democratic party. willingly, and the re-
publican party unwillingly, must stand
upon their respective records, and let the
people Judge between them. This Is the
policy which we seek. which we demand.
and we intend to drag our reluctant ad-
versaries from the dark recesses of
'gum-shoe campaign" and make them
fight us, If they will, in the open light OF
day. While they seem to have determin-
cd upon a quiet and secret campaign, re-
fund and hoping that the democrats may
be lulled into sense of over-conhdence,
We are determined TO compel them TO
stand up and assume entire responsibility
Tor the evil record they have made in
this state.
we have nothing to conceal; we invite
a full and fair investigation Of our rec
ord. and we gladly go before the people
upon that record, believing implicitly In
tho sincerity or our purpose and In the
rrighteousness Of our cause; we know
honesty and courage, their hatred OF
fraud and deception, and with that knowl-
edge we begin this campaign with no
misgivings as to the result Democrats
need only do their full duty and the vic
tory Is won. Kentucky Is a democratic
state and intends to be governed by the
democratic party. We seek to win by up
holding the fair name of the state; the
republican, party tries to succeed by
slandering II and making its name a by
word Of reproach throughout the land.
We strive to maintain peace and pros
perity and TO enforce the laws vigorous
ly and impartially; they would rather
they could get any spurious campaign
material out of the states distress.
speak not of the great mass of the re-
publican people in Kentucky, who, be-
fieve. love law and order, and want to
see the state prosper know a large
number Of excellent republican citizens
in Kentucky; and It Is far from me metz, 70
them, but / speak of those VINO dominate
their conventions write their platforms,
and nominate their candidates: What |
shall say hereafter shall be directed at
this class and l purpose before finishing
TO show TO what depths of crime and in
fanny some of them will go in their des-
perate greed for office and power.
There are nine state offices to be filled
by election in November. The republican
candidates for those offices were nomi-
mated last July in Louisville in a con-
vention which was characterized by some
republican leaders as the most corrupt
and unfair convention ever held. II was
said that nothing could he done by the
delegates, a very large number of whom
enjoyed lucrative positions in the federal
service, until there was some oracular
utterances of the wishes of the national
administration at Washington. The pow
Ar of the federal machine prevailed, and
their ticket was nominated.
The democratic party, for the first time
in the history of the state, in its desire
90 get as close to the people as possible.
held a state primary on the 9th OF last
May and nominated its ticket. That
primary. although an experiment, was
most successful in all Its features. No
less than one hundred and fifteen thou
sand democrats voted In II. and II is
safe to say that, although there was no
contest for the office of governor, and
II was n very busy season Of the year,
more than twice as MANY democrats took
part in IL than ever before took part in
their nominations for state offices by the
convention system. Each successful can
didate won by such large majority and
the conduct Of the primary was such
that there could be not the slightest crit
1cism as IN the fairness and tmpartiality
of the election. on the ticket with me
were nominated eight honorable men,
who are worthy Of the democracy OF Ken
lucky. men of excellent character and
capacity. and deserving in every respect
of the support OF the good people OF the
The peonie Of Kentucky must choose
between these two tickets and decide
which one shall administer state affairs
for the next four years. The issues are
clearly drawn the principles and policies
of the two parties are thoroughly under
tested by the experience OF the last eight
years. and there is not an intelligent
voter in the state who does not under
stand the difference between the two
parties and what each one represents.
THE democratic party stands pre-eminent-
~ for law and oder for peace and pros
perity. II promises and gives an honest
and capable administration of state at
fairs IL believes IN the rigid enforce
nent Of the law against all criminals re-
gardless If political or ether considera-
T. 40 n
a republican in Braathitt county just as
much as II Is against the assassination
of democrat In franklin county. It's
Endorsed OF cheered the name Of those
who are guilty OF murder and who are
afraid to stand trial for their crimes
IL has never through its leaders or its
newspapers sought TO take up7subscrip-
lions TO defend those whose only claim
for help Il that they murdered the leader
OF the opposite party. Without fear or
favor II has stood for equal and exact
Justice to all u seehs 10 build up Ken
tucly not 10 defame her; TO open up and
develop her vast natural resources, to
encourage Industry education. and ad e
vancemeut, to show the world that our
state Is not 2 laegard in the commercial
pro@ress of the age. and TO prove that
life liberty and property are as safe here
as anywhere else on earth. II believes
that Il Is the duty Of the government 70
guard as jealously the interests of labor
as well as OF capital, and TO preserve
between them those just AID equitable
conditions which bring content and salts
faction to both. 1t believes IN the pru-
dent and careful MANAGEMENT Of the
fiscal affairs Of the state, and In the d.
ieence and perseverance of it's state OFF,
Gals In the collection OF all claims due
The state and the prompt application of
such collections In the payment OF the
states debts The democratic party Of
Kentucky breaches the gospel Of peace
and tolerance. not of strife and hatred,
and true TO the eternal principles of its
great founders. Il unfurls to the breezs
the white banner of brotherly love, upon
whose folds are Inscribed in letters which
con be read from the mountains 10 the
Mississippi, UNITED We Stand. Divided
We Fall" There shall be no sectionalism
IS Kentucky. but the good people of the
Mountains of the Blue Grass. of the
= 55o-nvriiA a. = 49, D'.--1.-zs- unitad