The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-10-18
The speech in full follows.

4pio cPNNSh IA AuAA AohVWos
When was elected Governor two
years ago, l felt that was commits
stoned by the people of Tennessee to
look after the business of the state, and
not that of the nation. It has, there
fore, been my policy to keep state poll
itics separated as widely as possible from
national and congressional politics. Dur
ing these two years my constant and
undivided attention has been devoted to
the affairs of the State of Tennessee. |
have had neither the time nor the in
clination to delve into national questions,
ard I have scrupulously refrained from
participation in contests for Federal pa
tronage. 1t has been my feeling that
the work entrusted to me by the people
of chs state was broader, deeper and
greater than any faction or party. Hav-
ing thus felt and acted in the conduct of
my administration, it naturally follows
that my campaign will be conducted
along the same lines. The tariff, the
trusts, the treaties and other matters OF
national concern can be dealt with by
candidates for Congress and presidential
electors. I would be false to the trust
reposea in me if I permitted these ma
tional matters to obscure my view OF
state questions which so intimately af-
feet the moral and material well-being
of the people of Tennessee. Without un-
derestimating the Importance OF NATIONAL
problems, it is safe to say that no ques-
tons reach more deeply into the lives
and homes of the people than those
which grow out Of the government OF our
state. Ninety-nine times out OF one
hundred, when the law Is spoken OF, it
is the state law which furnishes the
rules by which the daily conduct of mon
is regulated. It is the law of the state
which protects your property, stands as
the guardian angel of your homes and
loved ones, educates your children and
provides refuge for the poor, an asy-
lum for the unfortunate, a court for the
dispensations of justice, and a prison for
the violstor of your rights.
Then and Now.
There is a striking similarity between
the campaign Of two years ago and that
of today, both as to men and measures.
Two years ago the Regular Democrats
hetd what has since been popularity
known as the June-bug primary. They
nominated Benton Mc.1illin for United
States Senator and Malcolm r. Patter-
son for Governor. This year they held
a primary, before which none but Regu-
lara dared to run, and nominated Nc
Mum for Governor. In November they
will holu another primary and nominate
Patterson for United States Senator.
Two years ago the political firm was
McMillin, Patterson & Co. This year
it is Patterson, McMillin & Co. Two
years ago they gave the people this
prescription all in one dose. This year
they are giving it to them in broken
doses; little in August and little
more In November. Two years ago the
dose was too strong and drastic, so the
Regulars took Patterson out of the race
and diluted and sugar-coated his straight
whiskey platform until it was only a
sweet and innocent straddle. But with
all that, the physic was still too bitter,
and the people rebelled against the plat
form in November, and the Legislature
spit up McMillin in January.
The distinction between Patterson,
McMillfn & Co. and McMillin, Patterson
l. Co. is a distinction without differ
ence. It is just like the two different
kinds of medicine that q good old noun
tain woman made out of the bark OF the
same tree. One she called "highbarka.
lorum," and this was made by skinning
the bark down. The other she called
'lowbarkahighrum," and this was made
by skinning the bark up.
Quotes Press.
The Knoxville Sentinel says that the
machine methods of Patterson had their
origin in the administration of Governor
McMillin. Upon such excellent authority
I will assume that this Is true, without
attempting TO trace the history OF the
machine back to see who laid the cor
ner-stone. 1t is sufficient to know that
McMiliin has been thoroughly identified
with the Patterson machine during its
rottenest and most loathsome period,
sometimes doing the odd jobs as handy
man, and then again doing the heavy
work. When the pardoning power was
prostituted under the Patterson admin
istration and pardon brokerage became
recognized industry, McMillin uttered
no word of protest. When Carmack was
assassinated upon the streets of Nash
vile, next mornings Nashville paper
recorded Benton MdNiliin as one OF those
who visited Duncan B. Cooper as soon
a. he was placed in Jail He has had
four years In which TO deny this, and
has never done 90. When Cooper had
been convicted by the courts Of the land
and Patterson had pardoned him before
the ink dried on the judgment of the
Supreme Court, there was an cutlery Of
public Indignation from every state in
the Union, but there came not even q
still, small voice from Benton McMillin.
When Patterson tried to coerce the SUI
preme Court of Tennessee, and q storm
Of condemnation arose from the whole
state, Benton McMillin, in effect, said,
~0h, King Ham, live foreveri Whatso-
ever thou doest IL right In my sight
August Primary.
To further set the seal of his approval
spon the misdeeds of the Patterson ma
ehine, he entered the primary In 1910