The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-06-30

time / stand before a representative
body of Democrats to accept at their
hands a nomination for Governor of
Tennessee.
The value of gift does not consist
alone in its intrinsic worth, but more
in that subtle flow of sympathy and
understanding between the giver and
the receiver.
So, while it will be marked and
unusual honor to hold the Office again
to which the people have twice elect
ed me, far more valuable than any
station of power is the deep graft
tude which fills my heart and stirs
my soul to it's profoundest depths to
know that retain the confidence OF
those who remain steadfast to their
convictions, true to themselves and
loyal to their party.
first became a candidate for Gov
ernor in the summer of 1905, was
nominated and elected, entering upon
the duties of the office in January,
1907.
From that time until now 1t seems
] have lived through ages. The joys
of success have been mine, and !
have also tasted the ashes of sorrow.
The light has so often played upon
the shadows, and the shadows have
so often fallen upon the light, that l
have sometimes wondered whether 1t
all was really a part of my life.
It is easy to perform the ordinary
duties of the Governors office in an
uneventful period of service, but it be-
comes more difficult and the duties
become extraordinary when the State
is passing through crisis and events
which cannot be foreseen are follow
ing in rapid succession. / have tried,
during my incumbency, to be the Gov
ernor of the State not only in name
but in fact as well, and to press those
policies which l believed were right
and would prove of lasting benefit,
and to oppose those which / thought
were wrong and would injure the
Commonwealth
1t is not given to all to think and
act alike, and it is out of the conflict
of ideas that new forms of develop
ment come just as chemical agitation
evolves new forms of matter
So, out of the conflict in which we
have been engaged, l sincerely trust
that Tennessee will emerge freed
from all the bonds which will impede
her growth, or loosen the happiness
and prosperity of her people.
During my first administration the
signs of an intolerant and proscT1p
tive spirit became understanding
to which the State has been a stran-
ger. for Tennessee had always been
known as one of the conservative
HIS IF tho 11Oinn
With my views and habits of
thought as a Democrat it was impos-
sible for me to lend the. authority OF
my office to foolish and sentimental
legislation, SO when / vetoed what
was known as the jug bill a veritable
storm arose and I was promptly de-
nounced in the pulpits and by my po-
litical enemies. which denunclatlon
has never stopped, though the jug bill
is forgotten and no one now would be
willing to risk his reputation for COM
mon sense by making it an issue.
Fires of Intolerance.
When had served but little over a
year the fires of intolerance which
had grown by what they had fed upon
burst in the fury of fame, and | soon
found myself in second campaign
with absolute prohibition as the issue.
/ was challenged to discussion, and
while | was trying to meet the argu-
ments of my competitor, and to give
an account of my official acts, there
were hundreds denounciEg me as an
enemy of the home, and the friend OF
all that was evil. Women and chill
dren were mustered and marshalled
to the attack, while certain newspa-
pers transcribed all the bounds of de-
cency by inflaming their readers with
incendiary utterances and the gross
est libels.
My reliance was the conservative
thought of the people, and my appeal
was to the reason and Intelligence OF
men.
I was renominated and hoped for a
season of peace, as my views had
been fairly stated and fairly passed
upon by the people.
But at once the attempt was made
in the counties had carried to send
hostile delegations, who would give
me the nomination, but on platform
which would have been humiliation
and which the people had repudiated.
I resisted and prevented this out
rage, and the storm broke out afresh,
After my election on a Democratic
platform my former competitor was
killed in a street encounter, and while
innocent as an unborn babe, had to
bear the horrible charge of completely,
believed by no man Of honor and
made only by those with perverted
natures and stepped in villainy.
The Legislature which convened IN
the January following was organized
to accomplish, If possible, my political
ruin, and so intent and determined
were they against whose intolerance
/ ran counter that an open alliance
was formed with Republicans, from
which came brood of Ubiquitous and
undemocratic laws.
The campaign upon which l now
enter will be filled with bitterness,
small and envious men will use their
obscurity to harass and annoy, the
fires of hate will be lit Knowing all
this, and wishing to escape 1t on my
own account, and for those whose hap
piness depends upon mine, have not
wanted to become candidate, but |
have assumed politicalobligations. and
friends who have stood with me IN
every contest and given freely OF their
time and devotion, believe owe a