The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-22

way OF Time, leave no doubt about the
road Tor Mississippians to follow. The
distliled wisdom ~bequeathed to us by
our sages and u heroes of the past
should inspire us with confidence
and courage, and provide the pillar of
IRE TO light the pathway of duty.
4 now, my fellow citizens, | go to
the work to which you have called me.
MY experience in public matters
three terms as a member of the legis,
lative department of the State govern.
ment, n many years of patient study
of IL system of laws and economic
problems-gives me some knowledge
of the difficulties and grave RESPONSE.
bllitles OF the Office of chief execu.
tive.
| am dfeeply conscious of the fact
that 1t is rarely the good fortune OF
1alllble man to retire from this exalted
station with the reputation and favor
which bring him to it. The hea- Of
the contest, the %fervency of friend
ship and the devotion of the partisan,
lntiame the imagination and the candi.
date is sometimes invested with ideal
qualities, which he may not in fact
possess; roseate predictions regarding
his administration are extravagantly
INDUCED, and when. in the discharge
OF the duties of the Office, he falls be-
low that ideal-too high for imperfect
men to neutrality-suspicious. fol-
lows, and the eye that once could see
only order and good in him, distorted
by disappointment, now sees only err
ror ald irregularity. Such, | fear. is
too often the history of man. Mine
may not be an exception. Without pre-
tension to anything above that which
fair intelligence. devotion to principle
and honesty of purpose may attain, |
ask of my fellow citizens only so much
confidence and support as may be nee
essary to give firmness and efficiency
to the legal administration of their
affairs.
| shall make mistakes, through de-
feet of Judgment, for which l shall
suffer uncomplainilgly the penalty.
But how often, when right, shall | be
thought wrong by those whose point
of view prevents a survey of the whole
ground, or a complete understanding
of the situation? | ask your indul-
gence for my W mistakes, which l
assure you shall never be intentional,
2AAu L lhfOhS yool ouPPolt against IN
mistakes of others who may criticise
and condemn in me what they would
not, if they understood the matter in
all of its bearings.
l know it is not possible to please
everybody. l shall not try to please
anybody save myself, and | shall please
myself in the proportion that | am
able to do that which is best for all
of the people of Mississippi.
| have no ambition, no desire be-
yond making for you a governor
worthy of you. All the heart and mind
and strength with which a loving
Father has endowed me, l, this day,
~conSecrate to the service of my State.
You, my countrymel, have it within
your power, if o will, to promote the
success of this administration. you
have it within you power to mar it.
With your ballots you have expressed
your appreciation of me. Now, with
your deeds and moral support, | ask
your cooperation and encouragement.
Relying then upon the patronage of
your good will" undertake the work
to which you have called me. May
chat infinite Power which rules the
deStilies of the universe sustain me
and lead our councils to what is best
and give them favorable issue for
your peace and prosperity"
! an now ready to take the oath of
Office.