The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-09-09
BACK ON THE HINDENBURC Line
HERE The GERMANS WILL STAND
AMERICAN TROOPS IN RUSSIA
MR.. p. w. CLEMENTS !,
FINAL STATEMENT
Restates Platform-If Defeated Will
Support the Successful Candidate

support the SuCCeSS1ul OanQ1date
Rutland, Sept 8-Percival w.
Clement makes the following state
ment to the voters of Vermont on
the closing hours of the gubernator-
ial campaign: "The campaign which
is just closing has been remarkable
for two things: one, the full and free
discussion of the public issues in
volved; two, for the b itterness of
what have been called (poison gas)
attacks. The former represents what
the people have right to expect in
all political campaigns, and without
which there could be no assurance of
the continuation of our democratic
form of government. The latter is
always to be deplored and in the end
inevitably reacts against the inter
ests Of the candidate in whose behalf
i. has bee-l employed. l found two
gentlemen in the field for, the re-
publication nomination for governor,
either of whom I should have been
glad to support if they had stood for
certain principles which l conceive
t. be fundamental to the preserva-
ton of our state rights and ideals.
Both of them have my sincere per-
sonal esteam.
"In the short time intervening be-
fore the primary, it was impossible
for me to reach the voters of YER
mont through any other medium
than the public preess. The right to
do this conceiYe to be fundamen-
tai which cur constitution which re-
serves to the people the right of
freedom OF speech and of writing
and publishing their sentiments con-
icerning the transactions of the gov
ernment.' I have an opinion from
eminent counsel that any attempt to
labrogate or limit that right will be
held unconstitutional. I have, there
fore, IN that matter frankly laid be-
fore the people of the State what I
stand for and await their verdict,
with composure and with the full
knowledge that there should be no
appeal from their findings. If I am
Nominated and elected, I shall give
Vermont the best business admins
tration consistent with my ability
and the. powers delegated to me by
the Legislature. If either Mr. Howe
ior Mr.. Darling should be selected in
this critical state of Vermont's af-
fairs, l shall give him, as private
citizen and publicist, the fullest sup
jpcrt and cooperation. l cherish
no resentment against those who
have seen fit to attack my public rec
ord, and the efforts of those who
have opposed me by secret and un-
fair methods will go for naught, as
the people, in the end, are not apt
It: be miSled thereby. On either
count, l should carry with me into
public life no unpaid scores or politi-
cal vendetta, but if selected for the
high and responsible office of gov
ernor, I should merely ask that they
support the State government as
heartily as shall, in case the de-
lcision of the people favors 'one of
my opponents.
81 take this opportunity to thank
the hundreds of friends who have
interested themselves in my behalf.
Particularly those who have written
me in sucl numbers, commencing
my candidacy and my platform. In
the few hours remaining, it will be
! impossible to reach them personally
or through the mails, but so far as
, this message carries, let me offer
= them my sincere and grateful appre-
ciation. Whatever the. opinion OF
the voters may be of my politics OF
. my personalities, [ submit in the
: closing hours of the campaign my
, Jpn oposals for better government
, Az economical, business administra-
: Iticn, State pay for all Vermonters ir
5 military service, brief, business ses-
sion of the legislature If you be-
t lieve in them and delegate me to
carry them into effect, I shall do SC
', to the best OF my ability and power:
lii nots l shall. retire to private life
with the assurance that | have done
what seemed to me an imperative
and paramount duty.
r (Signed)
II