The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1922-08-11
THE NEW LEADER.

| rom IIlt udy biidb NANSsAt
Peay announced for Governor until
the day of election there was probab-
ly not a single day on which he was
not the leading candidate for that Of
flee. From first to last he was the
candidate of the farmers, and Tennes.
see is predominently an agricultural
state. For Mr.. Peay was the first to
declare against the rapidly increasing
and excessive tax burden on land. He
was opposed to it four years ago, two
years ago, and he is opposed to II
now, and he will likely continue to OPP
pose it, for Mr.. Peay is man who
does not change his convictions easily,
and he does not conceal them at all.
For this new leader of Tennessee
Democracy is a very plain, blunt man.
In spite of very dignified bearing,
and rather polished manner of ex-
preston, Mr.. Peay is one of the mott
direct and plain speaking men who
ever appeared in the politics of this
state. His yea means yea, and his
nay means nay, and he can use either
expression readily, and will not hest
tate to do it. He is not man to "beat
about the BUSH" When Mr.. Peay an
nounces his position on any subject,
you may or may not agree with him,
but you will surely understand him.
You will knwo where Mr.. Peay
stands. Then you may go away and
roam about bit, and when you re-
turn, you will find Mr.. Peay still
standing there.
Mr.. Peay is a man who takes posi-
ton according to his own convictions,
and only his own convictions will
cause him to alter it. Minority and
majorities cut no ice with him in
making up his mind on a public ques-
ton. For he is Intellectually honest
at all times and on all occasions. Mr..
Peay is one of the most Democratic
figures that can be found in public
life, and his democracy is as natural
as his honesty and plain speaking,
In his home county of Montgomery
Mr.. Peay received twenty-nine votes
to each one vote of the opposition
combined. In the adjacent counties
Of Stewart, Houston, Dickson, Rob-
ertson and Cheatham there were
demonstrated a similar tribute to the
man whom they knew personally, and
had known and weighed in the scale
of confidence long before he ever as
pired to the governorship. 1t was a
tribute too spontaneous and convinc-
ing to be overlooked, when you come
to consider whether or not Mr.. Peay
is Democrat by breeding and habit.
For these people are his neighbors
and his peers. In this section he is
not addressed as Mr.. Peay, but as
Austin. These people will tell you
that Austin Peay is as plain and APP
proachable as any other farmer or la
borer in that section, and that when
Austin promises to do a thing he will
surely undertake to do it, and that he
will bring good deai of force and in
dustry into the effort.
Such is the character of Austin
Peay where it is best known and best
established, and there need be no
doubt that this character will spread
and grow throughout this state as Mr..
Peay continues in the public eye. But
he has very few Of the wiles of the
professional officeseeker, and not a
bit of the suppleness that has marked
some successful politicians. He is a
hard-hitting, clear7thinking man who
is swayed by his own beliefs and
judgment. He is as plain as an cid
shoe, but he would not murder the
kings English or go in his shirt
sleeves to advertise his plainness. He
is not that kind of man.
Mr.. Peay has faculty for attract
ing strong friendship. There is prob
ably no man in the state who has a
larger number of close personal
friends. He is man of open mind,
and always willing to hear counsel
and grant patient hearing. He will
weigh an opinion according to its val
ue, and not according to its source.
Then he will reach his own conclusion,
and will stand by it, and neither per-
sonal friends or majorities will move
him when he thinks he is right. Z
1t will be found that as Governor
Mr.. Peay will have some strong opin-
ions of service on the part of public
officials, and the proposition that a
man can live on the state until the
state owes him a living will hardly
appeal to his logical mind.
As leader, Mr.. Peay will be found
leading the hosts Of Democracy in
rather direct fashion and without the
Intervention of many lieutenants. He
has the habit of dealing with all men
openly and directly, and it is not like
ly that he will think it necessary to
deputize many of his deputies of lead
ership. None of the responsibilities
Of the leadership that has been grant
ed to him will be shirked or neglected.
For Mr.. Peay is an energetic man.
with the courage of his convictions.
and when he puts his hand to the plow
ne will not hesitate to follow the fur
row. nor will he waste time in look
ing MISUNDERSTANDING Tennessee