Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-10-28
"A JOURNAL LIE EXPOSED"
Ono of the Characteristic
Ab0 ut Mr.. Graves Shown
Up in ITS True Light.
From the Kansas City Time

| From the Kansas City Times.]
LEXINGTON, Mo-, Oct. 23.-In the Kansas
City Journal of the end INST. a communication
appeared over The signature of ''Mason,' in
which the writer stated that. he had been in
formed by a '.most unfinching democrat''
that MIR. Graves, democratic nominee ior con-
gress, was u prominent leader in = Snow-noth-
Ing mob which attempted the demolition of the
Catholic church in the city of Lexington, Mo-,
during the administration OF Mayor Silver, And
would have accomplished it's entire destruction
but for the prompt and brave Interference Of
Mayor Silver. The writer calls upon Mr..
Graves to answer and set himself right in this
matter. The above coming to my notice 1 deem
it my right to make the following answer:
mir. Graves first landed in Missouri and
settled at Lexington July 4. 1865.
2-Silas Silver, former mayor of Lexington,
died in 1862 or 'GS.
Sat the time of the know-n0thing trouble in
Lexington MIR. Graves was a student at Dan-
Vile. KY. as l am informed by those who
know him best, and was about eleven years
old: be had never been in Missouri and had not
even a relative in the state.
4-Slnce 1869 there has not been the least
movement by any party or parties against the
Catholic church in this place.
The above. it seems to nue., would serve as a
complete answer to the charge made by this
"most unfinching democrat;'' but as the man
ifest intent OF the said informant and purpose
Of the report is to lnjure Mr.. Graves in the esti-
nation OF Catholic voters of this district. SIM
pie Justice requires that 1 should state what 1
know of MIR. Graves and his attitude toward
our church and her people.
Mr.. Graves is q Protestant-a member OF the
old school Presbyterian church of his city. In
nOlitit.a h.. in and nlWnya haS hQon n nufar.OkAn
democrat; but while firm and earnest in his
own convictions he ID u man of broad and liber-
vi views, and accords to everyone the rSame
freedom of choice, in both religion and p~olllics,
which he claims for himself. The Catholic
church of this place has been unfortunately in
vOlved in several law suits in the last few years,
and Mr.. Graves has always been our leading at
torney and has always given entire satisfaction.
These suits, involving large interests, have been
so ably, fairly and successfully managed by
him as 60 win our admiration, and his dealings
toward US have been most liberal and satisfact0-
~. He is, beside, the legal advisor and attor-
ney for nearly ali our people in their private le-
gal aHairs. He has not been our choice because
Of any leaning toward our faith. but on account
Of bis ability Us u lawyer, his atfability Is 3 gen
tleman. his llberallty as u cit. Zen. and his free
dom from prejudice against any because of dit
terence Of religious opinions.
Although my Calling Restraints me from taking
any very active public part in politics. yet in
this connection It will not be umiss for ne to
say that u more efficient, unblas ed, liberal and
manly representative than ALI. Graves. cannot
be chosen by the people, be tiey Catholics OF
Professionals. As u confirmation oil the above
statements 1 refer to Andrew O'Malley, ST..
Patrick Waters. Patrick Carroll and other men,
Il ,or rs 1.-Two a,I.i ,h".,k ,,t. I'll -,
| parish at the time OF the know-nothing mob re-
ferred to. and who yet reside here anu are con.
versant with the whole affair.
JOHN j. LILLY,
Priest in charge OF the Catholic church at the
| city OF Lexington, Mo. =