The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-06-18
Speech Of Gov. NJ. R. Patterson
AT Memphis, Tenn. May 80, 1908.

they had begun to think they had
ancient and exclusive rights, they
sought my political destruction as the
only means Of regaining power and
prestige.
Industriously have they sown the
seeds of misrepresentation, earnestly
have they sought for a Moses who
would lead them from the wilderness
to which an indignant people had
consigned them.
They have not been scrupulous in
their methods. EXaggeration, rumor,
vituperation, secret accusation, have
all been employed to arouse opposi-
ton and to prejudice the people.
A portion of the press was enlist
ed, which purposely and studiously re-
fused to give the people accurate in
formation, but would herald broadcast
every change and inuendo that malice
or envy could suggest
In the midst of all this Vituperation
and calumny, l have stood unmoyed,
unwilling to compromise the dignity
OF the State and the great Office held
by unseemly controversy, waiting for
the day to come when | could lay my
, record before the people of Tennessee
and render my account to them
, If there are any who have construed
my silence into lack of sensibility,
they are mistaken, for, if it is any
consolation to those who have pur-
sued me to know that their attacks
have caused many an unpleasant hour
they may take this to their hearts and
be happy in the pain they know they
have inflicted
But if they should want the further
consolation of knowing they have
broken my spirit, or in any way de-
tered me it will be denied them, for
, am undaunted and undismayed, con-
sciouS that | have done nothing to
forfeit public confidence, ready and
willing to meet the impartial judg-
9 ment of those who have entrusted me
with responsibility and power.
If / have been clear in office, | would
like to serve the accustomed four
years, but if it be decreed that party
Il precedent shall be broken, that | must
retire at the end of two years Of serv'
ice and not be given fair opportunity
to carry out my ideas or bring un
" finished work to a successful conclu
. sion, it may be written that | fell
- disappointed, but it shall not be writ
= ten that ! sulked or attempted to be
II tray the party into the hand of the
: enemy.
Ii If the flag | once carried to victory
against the strongest man in the Re
. publican camp shall be transferred tt
~ another, will be found fighting I'm
- der it and will follow it to victory, no
~ only for the nominee for Governor
~ but for our candidate for President
= who will be the twice defeated, blu
y unbeaten, Bryan, who shall receiV
~ the electoral vote of Tennessee, If
- be in my power and that of m
- friends, to bestow it,
:. In asking an endorsement l wis
- the fullest investigation of my otficla
= acts, and am willing to stand or ia
10 by the record l have made.
From men with grievances appes
~ to men who pay the taxes and bea
~ the burdens of government,
10 From intolerance l appeal to tole
- ance, from coarse abuse to reason.
~ From men who cloak in the robe
~ of religion to pirate of virtues they d
~ not possess, to men whose lives an
~ deeds speak for them.
- From narrow men imbued viii
~ small prejudices to those who are ia
~ and broad in opinion, that high-brt
and high-class manhood which mac
Tennessee famous in war, and
W. peace marked her as great, a co
Wv sentative and a prosperous Comma
wealth.
uld FINANCIAL CONDITION OF TIL
ore STATE.
The prophets of evil and those W
pa wished my administration to be