Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-10-14
MIR. GRAVES RESPONSE.
lFrom the Kans "a City Times. !


The reply of the democratic nomi-
nec for congress TO the independent
candidate ia short, sharp aud incisive,
cutting like u rapier to the very mar
row of his antagOnists position. The
own platform and fl Z him alone was
resisted, but what was done was
scarcely less mercifHl. II such Ia
sample of the blows that will be dealt
by the leader of the democracy in
the congressional campaign. his poll
tical enemies may congratulate them
selves OH it's brevity, aud find prefita-
BILE employment In getting out of his
way.
Col. Crisp has not time between
now and the end of the campaign to
recover from the blow which made
80 prominently manifest the absurdity
of his position. lie may "lhank his
stars" that Mr.. Graves kindly omitted
to notice his assertion that he had
been defeated for congress "becauss
he was q thief" As the representa-
tive of the democratic party he dig.
nifiedly declined to notice the damag.
ing allegation; that ho very appro-s
priately left for settlement between
the author of the allegation and his
constituents.
1t was impossible for Mr.. Graves
to consent 10 discussion upon such
Issues as were raised liz the manifesto.
But as the colonel has had some cx-
perience in writing letters to oppOs-
ing candidates, aud, we may add,
some success, We suggest that he
'pick his flint aud try it ag,in." Iu
giving this advice, however, we also
suggest the danger, If he assumes to
tell Mr.. Graves that lie is democrat.
The response, "why then do you call
yourself an independent candidate
aud solicit OF the nominee of tho
democratic party discussion Of the
principles of democracy" would
strike like lightning through every
tissue of his body.
Mr.. Graves would stultiiy himself
If he were TO consent to discuss pol
iticsl questions with a candidate who
averred that he stood on the demo-
cratic platform, however much that
candidate should desire the notoriety
Ot such discussion, and he il not
the man that eau be cajoled or hood
winked, or bautercd in any such pos
itiOn.
But if Col. Crisp's candidacy is
based on any thlnx more than his per.
sensl grievances; if not OH mere
bargains with the republicans for
fsvors to be received aud bestowed;
il he indeed repudiated his lifetime
principles when he turned his back
OIL his friends aud his party, then he
can propose discussion in which he
| will undertake to show that the prln-
ciples he twice advocated a. the nom-.
lnee of the democratic party are
| wrong that he was in error. all his
life up to the passage last week by
the republican convention of the in
expediency resolutions. Ii, then, q
new light dawned upon his darkened
understanding, and he embraced the
| republican doctrines, let him. profit
ing by his recent experience with Mr.
Graves. write another letter aud pre-
pose i'll JOINT discussion to assail the
principles of democracy aud champ
ion the antsgonistic principles of re-
publicanism, and we predict lie will
be astonlshed at the ceIeTitv with
which his proposal will be accepted.
Mr.. Graves is the Standard bearer
of the democratic party. the chosen
champion of its principles, and will
be found in the performance of his
duty whether called upon to assault
the foes of his party, or defend against
their attacks. Ii Col. Crisp has any
curiosity upon the subject which he
desires to crafty. the Times suggests
| that he try the experiment.