The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1918-07-26
OPENING ADDRESS OF
GOVERNOR TOM c. RYE
Candidate for Nomination For y. S. Senator by
the Democratic Party Of Tennessee
DELIVERED AT CHATTANOOGA JULY 8, 1918

there travelled a man at midnight with
mask on his face to hide his countenance
from his own evil deeds.
| believe the people have not forgotten
these things, and | leave ii to them to
say whether or not in laying off the robes
of Governor, / leave my party and my
State in better condition than when l
entered that high office.
When | came to run for reelection
was plainly notified that the remnant OF
these lawless forces, who claimed the
right to wear the livery of my party,
would not support me at the polls unless
in the platform there was some conces-
sion made from my program of reform
] believe the people have not forgotten
that | accepted that challenge. Those
matters are not pertinent issues IN TINS
campaign, but as notice has been served
on me that these influences will seek TO
destroy me in the coming primary | am
proud to answer that | have never re-
GREETED, and shall never regret, the stand
that | took on that occasion, and | ask
the support of no man who opposes the
equal and just enforcement OF the law
and the equal protection Of the law In all
communities, and to all the citizens OF
Tennessee.
During the period of my incumbency
the added responsibilities of a War Gov
ernor" placed upon me have often bur-
dened my soul with anxiety, lest during
the dark hours OF our CountryS peril l
might fail to fully discharge my duty to
my government, my people and to my
God. But during it all | have patiently
endeavored to do my duty as God has
given me to see it, and fulfill the pledge
Of loyalty to the government as during
my official life as Governor | have hon
esty striVen to meet every obligation ana
discharge and perform every pubic
pledge made by me to the people before
my election.
Platform in Brief
The platform on which ! shan wage
battle for the nomination is brief 1t can
be fully expressed in three short words:
"Win the War'--words that will find a
responsive echo in every loyal heart In
the land. ~
From that fatefu day on which we
entered this contest, yea, even before
il accepted President Wilson as our coun-
try's leader and prophet. / believe thal
he has clearly declared the aims OF the
great body of people of this country and
its allies, and the terms of the world
peace which the common people want
and for that reason ! have followed ms
leadership and can truthfully say today
that never, by thought, word, or deed
4 have | done aught to impede or retaro
the progress he Is so ably and earnestly
making toward the achievement of the
glorious victory which lies yonder at the
termination of this bloody struggle. But
upon the other hand. in my humble way
III have contributed in every way that
could to the accomplishment OF these pur'
poses.
As chief executive of a great state
which. up to this time, has furnished, II
round numbers, sixty thousand brave
stalwart courageous sons to nght To-
your home and mine, many importan
official duties and added Responsibilities
,deyoved upon me because or TINS war
I'm the discharge of all these 1t has beer
nv constant aim and steadfast purpose
! TO contributes in so far as ] could, to MAKE
Tennessee one hundred per cent efficlen
lin carrying out the varied program out
lined from time to time and sent ou
from Washington.
Tennessee has given splendid regiments
land organizations from the Natona
IGuard to the National Army. Her SON
have gone willingly as volunteers u
every branch Of the fighting service
whether on land or on sea or in the air
and her selected soldiery has Responded
10 the call Of their country with strong
patriotic devotion, and with the SAM
eagerness and anxiety TO serve II an,
capacity to which they might he assigned
I have commissioned many officers J.
that splendid army. These splendl'
Young men have in every case received
these commissions on merit in SO lar q
lit mas DeGn HNHldllN DVSSl'lt W 'hl'''''
that test in advance Of actual service
They are from all parties and walks Il
life many Of them neither my politlca
or personal friends but all willing. thanl
God, to make the supreme sacrifice 70
their country, If necessary, ana SUOMI
themselves to the vigorous test OF htnes
land capablity prescribed by the govern
mont before gaining permanent status 2
officers That so many OF these sue
ceeded is indeed cause for qualification
" am further gratifed that | have no
knowingly given or aided ~ secnfinl
commissions for able-boded, eligible hght
ivy men to fill war-nroot desk POSITIONS y
Nashville or Washington, that som
favored one might not he exposed 70 IN
hazards and dangers Of war
4 The work of the State Council o. he
Tense of the SelectiVe Draft SoardS Q
the Fuel. Food and Labor Departments
has been done by men who We're selecte'
because Of their good sense, their Know
natriotism and the belief that they, i
performing their important duties, Woui'
BENDER lust faithful and unseltish service
Those who are at the head Of these IN
fnortant departments have worked unsel
IhLhly in nerfect accord and thorough mar
mony win the war" has been th'l
constant purpose and in the performance
If All complex and difficult duties the
have sought and succeeded in lnsnlrlr
tha right spirit and attitude in the mind
of the people.
In All the great camnagns " Tcrnes
SOC for the sale of Bonds and War SaN
iogq Stamps for contributions to the '
lN q 4 and the Red Cross in fact ever
arorrv Of tho government engaged N wa
Iacttvity. has rendered loyal patriotic ser
vice .
All Of these great enternrisee have me
wtth such generous support from ever
a,oes Of o,ir nonre os TO Mace Tennessee
a. o., 1At 1ft
IN leval support Of the government hn
today she eniovs tho distinction Of bein
fire best organized war state in tn
Union THAT all these things have pee
occonulishcd is due, In tho moin, to "
fact that the great army OF .Wllilng, Wo3rh
ers have carried on and directed thel
camnaigrs aud activities in the prone
shirt animated only Ivy the common pun
pose Of winning the war -.
No man nor can any body OF mel
claim the exclusive credit Tor TINS spPh
did record Of our State, hut ! heheVe w
people will credit my purposes ana en-
dravors in this work, and will give m
credit for whatever part my hulhpie ei
forts have accomplished,
But, regardless Of my part, or my am
lbtion | thank God that ! can say :
all men that Tennessee has put on th
full arnor of battle and faces desun
with serene courage. At her PACK stahu
the most patriotic body OF laborlhg peepl
! on earth. and her farmers, her manulae
Jurors, her sons and daughters, IN all IN
walks and stations of life, have SO nooi
+ RESPONDED with their lives, their service
their property and their every effort an
their endeavor.
Claim of Shields Organs
The organs Of the senior senator nav
uncea Sirgly declared that when Iresldel
Wilson said politics is adjourned" ths
lie Intended for the intelligent voters,
tennessee to understand that he wishe
and desired the senior Senator to be +
turned unnpposcd If that is lust y
depreciation Of the Presidents deciat'
ton, / ask the loyal. sensible voters
q,nnrnssee If they believe for a momel
: mat ny that statement he intended