The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1906-08-29
Defends His Admins
tratiOD Against Ira
duc9TS and Presses
His Claim for the
SGa2terSIIl.p.

Lexington, Ky. Aug. 15.-Before large
audience N the mammoth Auditorium
Governor Beckham made the opening
speech in his race FOR the Democratic
nomination for the United States Sem
ate. His speech was follows:
The Democratic Administration of Ken
lucky presents to the people the record
OF its services for their impartial and
usprejudiced consideration. 1t stands be-
fore the judgment bar of their sovereign
will with no apologies to offer and with
no act TO conceal IN the light OF the
fullest and fairest discussion of that
record. From no one does it want the
indulgent favor which a partial and COM
miserating critic is inclined 10 show an
erring friend. Upon its record, good or
bad, it should be carefully judged, and it
has the right to claim that every intelli-
gent voter should give ii calm and
dispassonate hearing. If it has made
mistakes, then the causes and results Of
those mistakes should be seriously eX
amined; IL it has accomplished deeds Of
merit, then those deeds should be prop
erly measured as TO the credit earned.
II the mistakes outweigh the good done,
Zen let the people. as the opportunity
Us been offered them bring IL their
verdict of guilty" and condemn those
responsible. But if on the contrary, the
investigation shows that the mistakes
Ice underes1imated, then let the false
witnesses be condemned and justice done
to those who are entitled to 1t.
Against the calumnies and .naledictions
of its enemies inside or outside of the
party, it places the history Of its serv-
Ices for six and half years in the con-
troll of the public affairs of the Common
wealth To invective. it opposes rea-
son; TO Misrepresentation il Offers facts
and at the malignant or purchased SLAM
derer. it filings its scOrn and contemp-
honest and truth-lOVing Democracy CT
the state it rests its case. confidently be-
Heving that the people will do the right
they see it. and that they will not
withhold Justice from those 70 whom jus
uce is due.
In subm ,tting its cause to the voters of
Kentucky, IT is satisfied with the jury;
1t makes no challenges to the panel but
IL snail be quick to utter its warning
!ous attorneys. Let the verdict be what
II may, it will bow its head to the sll-
premacy Of the peoples decision with
Jefersonian simplicity and patriotism.
III this administration is TO be the issue
IN the campaign, its friends cheerfully
take up the gage and welcome the oppor-
tunity to defend its course. They would
prefer to make such a fight against the
Remblicans in the campaign next year
before the general election but if am
bilious candidates think they can best
succeed now in securing Democratic
nomination by assaulting Democratic
Administration. let them proceed in their
pollcy with the encoura cement and en-
.oyment Of the Republicans, for we have
no fear of the result in a full discus
sion before the people If this admin
istrati9n could not stand the search light
party the course II has pursued then no
friend of it should expect its endorse
ment at the polls. But if it can show,
as 1t viii show, that the war waged upon
IT is unjust, that the attacks made
upon 1t are without foundation and
that motives OF those who assail
the people be visited upon the traducers
and let the brand Of Cain be placed IDon
those who; angered by brothers sue
cess would seek to ride into popular ia
vor over his slain body
So it has been from histOry's dawn
that success has been the surest mark
venomed shafts and cruel blows of those
who i'm jealous rage would tear down
and destroy with the enViOgs hope that
they might build upon the ruins
In recent gathering in the city of
Louisville of those who claim 10 be Of
the same party family. the edict was is
cess of the Democratic Administration Of
Kentucky should be demolished regard
less OF all consequences in a contest with
the Republicans next year, in order that
the ambitions and vengeance of numer-
Gus statesmen might be gratified In
this formidable asSemblage. every man
iSho had grievance or imagined he had
one. against the Administration was
given an opportunity TO air it and to
propose the best means to revenge il
Incidentally it was decided who 3Tnong
dates should sacrifice their inclinations
and lead the virtuous crusade to redeem
the state from the. tyrannical throes of
Machine domination. War, bitter re-
vengeful war, was declared. not up0n
the Republicans. but upon their fellow
Democrats, who under grave and serious
difficulties, have tried during these Years
TO honestly and successfully administer
the affairs of our proud old Common
wealth
That the State Administration has made
some enemies no one can deny bat that
1t could not have faithfully executed its
duties without doing So all must con-
cede The character and nature Of its
opposition are even more a testimonial
of its fidelity TO duty than are the evil
dences of its success and the praise CT
All of this fight is largely due to the
fact that L am now candidate for the
United States .Senatorship. and during
Kentucky haye been Governor and at
the head of the administration NV op-
ponent in this contest has formed an open
as we'll as a secret alliance with those
who are making this warfare and in the
campaign before the primary this year.
as we'll as in the campaign with the Re-
official is to be the point of attack. am
prepared to meet it in either event. and
I believe the people of Kentucky know
POI fail to fearlessly oppose an antagonist.
whether he comes wearing the false liv-
cry Of Democrat or the open guise Of a
ekepuDuCdn. i nave encountered the same
kind Of opposition before. and shall
DOT hesitate to meet it again. Let the
hattie line be clearly drawn and let the
people fully understand the issue
MRpponent for the Democratic NOM
lna1onl In this primary for United States
3Sn2tof from Kentucky is the Hon.
,xmes b. McCreary, who Is seeking a re-
nomination for that office, and for whom
4 entertain kindly feelings of personal re-
gard in his character as a gentlen an. and
Against him in this campaign there shall
not be uttered, if I can help it, a single
word OF ungenerous or unjust veproach.
If c. not win without sAAksf . -