The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1903-03-11
FOR THE U. S. SENATE.
GOVERNOR LONGING ANNOUNCES HIS
CANDIDACY.
Addresses an Open Letter to the Dem
ocracy in Which He Reviews
His Administration.

Governor Longino has furnish
ed the press with the following
letter:
To the Democracy of Mississippi
/ take this method of announc-
ing that / will be candidate for
the United States Senate for the
term commencing March 4, 1905.
1t is station so exalted as to be
worthy of the Hottest ambition
and at the same time accompanied
with such grave responsibilities
as to call for perfect conservation
to the public service by the in
cumbent.
| | recognize that the duties call
for patriotism, not partisanship:
breadth and not narrowness; wis
dom and conservative statesman
ship that will build up and not
tear down the monuments to broad
republicanism, and of equal and
exact justice erected by our con-
stitution for the guidance and pro-
lection of all the people without
regard to section.
During my term as Governor
have rendered to the people OF
Mississippi the best service OF
which | am capable in the endeav-
or to advance the prosperity and
glory of the State in every line
and department of public interest.
AS a result of the harmonious and
vigorous adherence by all the de-
partments of this administration
to that most wholesome doctrine
of equal rights to all, " railroads,
mills, factories, banks and other
business enterprises have sprung
up in the State, backed by mil
lions of capital-both foreign and
domestic; the assessment rolls
have almost doubled their valua-
tions during said period, exceed
ing by far what has occurred in
any other similar period in oul
history, thus attesting stable
confidence in our resources, the
justice and iberality Of our laws
and the integrity of our govern
ment; while a firm and just admin
istration of the criminal laws.
melting out through the courts the
same exact justice alike to the
highest and humblest without re-
gard to rank or wealth, has en-.
throned the law in the confidence
of all classes of society, until moi
rule-that blot alike on Northern
as we'll as Southern civilization
has almost disappeared from ou1
borders.
1t is not, however, for me to
pass upon this record of events to
prove the progress of Mississippi
during the three years of my term
as Governor. | simply commend
it to your inspection and impartial
Judgment, and if the humble part
played therein by me meets your
approval, l offer it now as a
pledge and guaranty that if chosen
for the Senate, | shall continue to
give whatever of ability and en-
ergy | have toward the advance
ment of the federal interests and
the peace and prosperity of my
native and beloved State, holding
unfalteringly to the high ideals OF
the old days which crowned the
South with glory and fame.
The voters of Mississippi are
supreme in the matter of making
nominations for all ofices-from
constable to United States Senator.
The primary election law, which
| had the honor to recommend in
each biennial message which ]
have submitted to the Legislature,
and which became a law by my APP
prevail and signature, despite much
adverse criticism, puts each elect
or OF the State on equal footing,
leaving him free to voice his indi-
vidual sentiment at the polls, and
it is to them that | commit my
cause in this, my new ambition,
feeling that their verdict at the
polls will be just, whatever the
result may be.
And now in conclusion permit
me to say that whether the honor
be conferred upon me or another,
| indulge the earnest hope that
sectional bitterness shall cease,
and that Mississippi, shaking of
the gloom and misfortunes of war,
may rise respondent to still great
er power, influence and glory in
the sisterhood of States, and may
Heaven bless all her people with
smiling plenty and prosperous
days.
A. III. LONGING. s
jackson, March Z, 1908.
TIL Dad oe C,,xo.rsooao ~