The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1918-07-26


struggles OF brave men, and on which
enduring monuments have been erected
to commemorate the Valor and the mill
itary greatness of those who, IN the 6U s,
fought, bled and died at Ehickamauga
and Missionary Ridge hattlefelds that
have been dedicated again to an even
greater cause for preSeH day uses mere
where your people have been filled with
devotion and reverence FOR the hohoreu
dead and where that devotion 10 the
sacred cause of liberty has been increased
and intensified in fullest measure by the
inspiring spectacle of thousands OF the
hest and brayest Of our young manhood,
in the stern, eager and intense prepara-
ton which they are now undergoing ana
have gladly undergone, that they inlsht
prepare themselves for an honorable part
in the great contest for liberty ana hu-
manlty now going on across the waters;
here | come to make announcement OF my
candidacy for the Democratic nomination
for United States Senator.
had thought that | might be permitted
TO submit whatever claims had, II any,
10 the calm, quiet deliberate considera-
tion Of the Democratic voters of the state
and willing to trust to their judgment
and be governed by their decision But
the friends of my competitor we're not
willing that this should be done, so they
called upon me to show cause why !
should assume to appeal to the people Tor
election to a place which, by divine right
thew assume belongs to the senior Sen
ator. / do not admit their right to make
this call. ~
II Is a time-honored principle in this
state that an official seeking re-eltctloI
must himself show cause for his claims,
or at least announce HIS candidacy IN
iii the senior Senator has done THIS, or
at least has deputized some one to DO IL
for him, | respectfully submit that ms
statement is a matter that should receive
Lax fri n
time.
a candidate. because / believe this office
should be filed by a man who - consist ,
emily loyal to his President, ms state anu
his party, and not by one whose deVotloh
depends on the imminence OF an election
/ believe. in this great hour OF sacrl-
flee and endeavor, that the cause Tor
which we are giving our children anu our
resources should be in the hands OF those
who are free from every influence, con
sideration or obligation that might oper-
ata against our united effort to win the
great victory, which must ana shah DC
The senior Senator and | each have a
nuhlic record in this State, and fair
and impartial jury will compare these
records and bring In its verdict. ana II
,vill he no newspaper verdict when 1t is
pronounced
have never tried to wreck my party
TO promote my political fortunes or gam
office, and if | ever spurned II Wneh II
was weak and impotent, would not
come seeking ltS favor Wneh IL was 'io'S
and dominant. ,
am a Democratic officeholder, ana
have the credentials Of my party, ana lie
ratification of the people at the pallot :
box Let him say for himself how ne
came 10 his present place and where and
how the plain people of the state, or OF
his marty. have ever given him their en-
dorsement. And let him explain how ne
was lifted SO high that 1t IS treason 70
oppose him, III,
accent this invitation, ] call on some o.
his friends and present supporters and
lei them speak for the Senator in TINS
matter
Commenting on the election OF Judge
Shields to the Senate, the Memphis News
Scimeter said:
ain one sense Mr.. Justice Shields Is
representative Probably more than any
other man In the State he epitomizes' Y
his proper person, the insncerity. tnt
seifishness and lneHciency OF the state
Durinu his political career he has lett pc
hind him a trail Of suu'rmlngs, OF devious
windinQs and mystfying lnfractuoslties
not soon to be effaced. A Democrat o.
the Bourbon type he BETRAYED and oe
serted his party for place and posit,on
and precpitated political catac'ysm ina
verted a maddened and bewtidered people
into insurrectonares and Sans Culettes
and LEADING this motley horde. ne over
ran opposition and trumphantly entetee
the citadel of his ambition Loudly pro
claImlno himself 'untrammeled.' he mas
been tho obseeuious servant OF specla
privilege When political preferment ano
increased honor began peernu above. the
horizon, he turned traitor TO the Janlssa,
ries who had elevated him ana placed
him In position, ard AGAIN proclaiinihe
himself a REGULAR Democrat repudiated
the choice of the regular Democracy ano
stood as a candidate for the Senate re
deserted those who had elevated him
witho1it displaying the Good taste TO re-
turn to their keeping the honor whlcn
t.eY bestowed rpon him, ard formed ne"
alliances throuah unreckonng ana uhFe-
morseful expedency"
Nashville Banrer Quoted
now call to the stand another LOYAL
friend and supporter Of the senior sen
atnr and ask YOU to listen TO this testl
mony from an editorial in the NlSiNHle
Banner on April 3, 1914 .r,
at has been known for long Wn,.e
tbat Senator John X. Shields was pronot
ir1 MANS to inject politics into the iudl-
ctal eampaIun AGAINST Judge Willia ans
There WAS very little of the Independents
untrammeled Judiciary sentiment or suu.
stance left In Senator Shielos thahoint
when he laid aside the lua'e.a,. e'e CO..,
40 enter the race for United states oeH
,tor nat few campaigns n ennesset
o. ,nv office have reflected less ereot
on onv man or party than the nnethous au.
Influence Brought to bear 10 elect oehsl ~,
Shields TO the position he now holus. ~,
se,s4or win understand before ne Wy
throinb with his present plans that w
inauence as a senatorial boss Is not as 20
+ent AS Il was as Chief Justice OF tne ~
nreme Court Of Tennessee, ara tra' W