The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-04-09
OSCAR JOHNSTON
DENOUNCES CRITICS
PAYS HIS RESPSECTS TO THOSE
WHO HAVE PUT HIS DO
MESTIC AFFAIRS IN
CAMPAIGN
Grows Better At Aberdeen In Pre-.
paired Statement-Liar and
Slandered Used
Freely.

N"tN ioi SoNCiuOIs duTbSSeu dn du-
dience of several hundred people at
tn city hall today. Mr.. Johnston
was enthusiastically received, num-
bering his personal friends in Aber-
deem by the score, and his address
created a profound impression. He
was introduced by Hon. Ben H. Nc
Farland, former senator from Mon
roe County who referred to his as
sociation with Mr.. Johnston while in
the legislature and whoN commended
the candidate as man in whom the
people could place their trust and
one who would make the state an
ideal governor.
Before entering into a discussion
OF the issues of the campaign Mr.
Johnston, after thanking Mr.. Nc
Farland for his introduction asked
the audience to indulge him while
he went to some extent into a per.
sonal matter which had been injected
into the campaign by persons whom
NAN hOt hhOW anu NuOSt
he could not ascertain. Upon en-
tering this campaign some two
months ago." said Mr.. Johnston. al
stated that ii was my purpose to
pitch this campaign upon a clean,
high plane and to maintain il att
whatever cost. After two months
have not altered my determination.
From time to time have stated
in my judgement the political gossip
monger should be treated with silent
contempt However, thus early in
the campaign there has come to exist
condition which, in my judgement,
1t becomes my duty both as man
and as Mississippian to give atten-
ton to and note for the purpose of
political discussion, and not for the
purpose of discussion in one single
other instance but for the purpose OF
denouncing the particular matter TO
which | shall allude in a moment
once for all, and shall never again {
ailude to il in the progress of this
In order that | may not sue /
cumb under the stress of feeling un-
der which | must labor on such an
occasion to the temptation to saw
more than should be said Il
have taken the precaution to re- 7
duce TO writing the statement that | Il
propose to make :"
i have believed that anonymous Il
communications should be ignored. q
'ut there are exceptions to all rules.
md there comes time when even II
rumor, for which you may be able a.
o find no father and no responsible q
ource, arises to that degree of com u
non KNOWLEDGE and discussion as to
Iemand an answer | propose to VI
nswer rumor; it may or may not Sd
ave pervaded to the confines of
lonroe County. | sincerely trust ~
hat il may not have; if not. then
II is well and good, and if il has tn
~ answer is made. 1t
Shortly after entered the poIit-
al ring friends told me that some III
was circulating a rumor to pa
le effect that | had given up nv teI
Nv practice and gone into the army. 'h
ecause of domestic troubles. This ef
was so absurd that it was its own th
the fact that | had wound pl
D nv law nractice and tur,,ad go. thi
my wife every dollar. cash and
'operty that ! possessed, and that
le had accompanied me to camp. ii
9TH while | was private and later asl
ter | was commissioned remained go
near me until | was pre- tha
ringto go overseas was too well ver
lown to all who know TO allow so
cious lie to make headway. int
- now comes to me through this issl
ter from a neighboring county. the the
unty Nof Alcorn, the letter / shall bin
{ read, that some slanderer who con
cause of cowardice has covered the
IL tracks, has started rumor in wo,
lded to reflect upon the loyalty Tn;
d fidelity of my wife This car il
permit to go unchanged. have but
de an earnest endeavor to dis ed
'er the identity of a responsible bv
thor in order that'I might put an Iatr
'rlasting stop to the, circulation vall
so wllful lie, but am unable or
discover him. and I am. therefore won
ven to the painful necessity of Il
blicly denouncing the cowardly van
nor OIL TINS miserable lie. not with com
view of stinging him into com lenr
from mis- hiding into the open. reco
a creature so low. so utterly de- on
ed, so absolutely lost to all sense the