The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1917-01-12
GALL HAIL KING LUKE"

Some two or three years ago Ihe
Herald published an editorial under
this caption, 1t was Immediately FOL
lowing the nomination of Gov. Rye in
the spring of 1914, after all politlcal
dope" had been upset and seemingly
the impossible had been accomplished.
The following year Senator Lea sue
cessfully organized the Tennessee leg
fslatufe and his friends were elected
to state offices.
The remarkable, the wonderful, the
meteoric career OF this young man,
had been, in many respects, without
a parallel in the annals Of this state.
He was seemingly invincible in the
realm of state politics. For a time
1t seemed that he would WELD power
and exert an influence that no man
in the politics of Tennessee had ever
possessed. But his defeat for re-elec
ton to the senate in the fall of 1915
seemed to cast a cloud over his polit-
ical career and there were not lack
ing those who were free to declare
that he would not come back" that
his political sun had set, and that like
many another statesman out of job,
his power and influence ended the
moment that he met his first real de-
feat.
The Herald believed then what 1t
knows now, and that is that it will
take more than a single defeat to
eliminate Luke Lea from the politics
of Tennessee. He has youth, ability,
strength of character, the most win
ming personality possessed by any pub
lie man in the state, smile that won't
come off even in the darkest hours
of defeat. These qualities are not
lightly to be set aside. He is also
the publisher of the organ of the great
democratic party at the capital of the
state.
He has made many enemies but he
has also made many friends. His
quiet and dignified acceptance of the
result of the senatorial primary in
which he was defeated, his courteous,
fair and magnanimous attitude toward
those who opposed him in the realiza-
ton of his ambition, and his sunshinsy
nature have all combined to win him
friends that he did not have when he
was candidate.
In the organization of the present
legislature he was the most potent
factor in the state Both speakers are
proud to proclaim their friendship for
him as are most of the other officers
chosen. He threw all the powerful
weight of his influence into the scale
In behalf of his friend, Senator Ike
Stevens, for secretary of state and
the result was victory where a week
ago defeat seemed sure and certain.
The election of Senator Stevens was
triumph for Luke Lea over his poll
tical enemies. 1t was due largely to
the splendid fighting qualities and
the great organizing abilities of the
senator.
If Luke Lea keeps his present good
health. pursues the paths that he has
trod since his defeat for the senate,
continues to be the Chief Optimist of
the Universe and applies himself dill
gently to the study of state and ma
tional problems, his successful return
to a station of political honor is as.
sured. He did not win a senatorial
nomination; under the circumstances
then existing that would have been
miracle and the days of the miraculous
are gone. But he did win the good
opinion, the esteem and the friend
ship. Of hundreds who did not know
him.
As a public speaker he has improved
and developed more in the past six
years than any man in the public life
of the state. Not yet thirty-eight
years Of age, already senator Of the
United States for six years, still the
most resourceful, the most powerful
and the best liked figure in the, politi-
cal circles Of the state, and yet a do
feated candidate, Luke Lea assuredly
presents one Of the most remarkable
figures that the politics of this or any
other state has known in generation.
He is full of energy, loyal to his
friends, hard but fair fighter who
never hits below the belt. His future
Is one of promise. Gail Hail King