Oxford eagle., 1919-01-23
HON. OSCAR JOHNSTON MAKES
FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT
To the People of Mississippi:


ocratic party, / hereby announce my
candidacy for the GOvernorship of the
State of Mississippi.
In aspiring to this exalted position,
appreciate, fully, the responsibilities
which | seek to assume, and the con-
fdence, both in my integrity and abili-
ty, which ask my fellowman to re-
pose in me. In my judgement, no
greater honor may be accorded a man
THAN that he inspire faith, trust, and
lconfidence in his fellowman. That
compliment has come to me from
levery section Of my native state IN
the form Of letters urging me to enter
the gubernatorial campaign now open
ling. Of which expressions Of confidence
ID ann duly appreciative. 1t is not my
intention to convey the impression
that my entry into this campaign Is
solely the result Of solicitation, but in
referring to this il is only my purpose
to publicly thank those well-wishers,
with many Of whom | do not enjoy a
personal acquaintance. No man is en-
tirely without vanity, but no man
should grow 50 great that he would
relna a Insensible TO such an honor,
coming unsolicited as this one has.
Belle ng that the most commendable
amb ton Of which the human mind is
ieapable is the desire 70 serve ones
i lfellowman, and also believing that my
candidacy meets with the approval Of
. majority Of the people Of my state,
/ am prompted to ask this political
prefe-ment
Regarding my qualifications, ! may
say that il has been my privilege 70
serve the State as . member Of the
House Of Representatives for the past
eleven years, during which time tie
record viii bear me out in the asser-
tion that ! have been the author Of
much legislation of general interest
and of benefit to the people Of the
State. During this long period of
service l endeavo-ed to, ard believe
that | did, carry cut the best policies
of Democracy, the Democracy Of cur
fathers. the Democracy of human lib
eity, of equal opportunities and privil-
eyes to all alike: Democracy which is
the dread Of tyfants. the fear Of kings,
and the scourge Of the dcmagogue,-
one which has rolled back the tide of
oppression and which, above all. has
placed the highest value en the life,
liberty. and labo- Of the humblest citi-
zen. There have been times when
some may say ] erred ln judgment, but
If / did it was On what / believed TO
be the side u the people. Thoughts
are forces, words are agencies, deeds
are power" By a conscientious COM
bination Of these three. and guided by
the lamp q experience, / promise that
II elected ] shall give 70 Mississippi a
fair. just, economical, and business
like administration Of her affairs, un-
hampered and unhindered by any af-
hliation not of the people, by the peo-
pie, and for the people" Unaffected
by praise and unembittered by adver-
sc criticism, I shall discharge faith
fully the trust reposed in me.
/ Il Is my sincere desire that this
campaign be conducted on a high
plane, free from bitterness and from
lvituperation. / shall not, and hope
that my friends will not, be led OF pro-
voked into doing or saying a single
thing with -cferenee to IN opponent
which may tend 20 lower the standard
which 1t is my purpose 10 set. Al
ready, before the publication Of my
announcement. more than one partisan
newspaper. issuing from the same
soune. has opened the campaign with
d ~bauage" Of personal abuse directed
at me. This sAall, Of course, ignore,
except to say in passing that the re-
I AAAAAAt AAtaAlA1 10 AiT - a near -~NtuAt.
because my company did not have the
opportunity 10 participate in the fight
ing, viii, IN my judgement. be resented
a the polls next August by thousands
Of those, who, like myself. answered
the nations call, but who after months
of drilling and doing to the best Of our
ability our duty as soldiers, were de-
MED the privilege Of participating in
the actual fighting.
Always actively interested in the
fortunes Of Mississippi. the state Of
my nativity, having been identified
personally and politically since child
hood. with her welfare, it was with a
feeling Of genuine pride that I could
put aside personal interests. political
achievements and ambitions and Join
the rank and file Of khaki clad figures
that marched from out her portals 10
do well their part in the great world
war for Democracy. There had come
. tide in her affairs when ne-soa.l