Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1886-10-30
AN ANSWER TO MIDDLETON "

EDITOR lNTELLIGENCER:- writer
in the Register of the 21st, who signs
the name of middleton" says: "l
have read that Col. Philips the pres
ent democratic nominee for congress in
this district said in the constitutional
convention" He then quotss from
what is reported as a speech of Col.
Philips in the convention.
Middleton is certainly misinformed,
Col. Philips was never a member of q
constitutional convention. He was a
member of the convention OF 1861, to
consider the relations of the state to the
federal union, but he was not a men,
Der of the convention of 1865,
known as the Drake conven-
ton or Of the convention of 1875 which
adopted the constitution now in force.
These are the only constitutional con-
ventions since 1874 and he could
not have spoken in either the
language attributed to him.
am satisfied that Middleton is mis-
informed concerning the position of
Col. Philips toward southern men.
am southern man with all the senti-
ments of one and like Middleton was
deprived of my political rights and
previleges by that great iniamy the
Drake constitution. 1t was the greatest
wrong ever perpetrated upon the
American people. 1t not only disfran-
chised every one who engaged in the
war but all who sympathized with the
southern confederacy or with those
who upheld its cause. 1t went further,
and required all school teachers TO take
an oath that they had always been true
and loyal to the union before they
could teach, and to add the crowning
stone to the infamy it required ali
preachers OF the gospel to subscribe to
the same oath before they could preach.
Now what position did Col Philips
occupy upon these great and important
questions! 1t is true he was a union
man during the war and commanded |
regiment OF union soldiers. But when
The war ended he laid aside the sword.
and after that if there as a friend of |
The southern man in the state it was
Col. Philips. OF all The union officers,
ne and Frank Blair were the only ones
" no saw the great wrong that Chas. d.
Drake and his followers were perpetrat-
ng upon the people and who had the
lndomltable courage to oppose it
They, lat the risk of their lives, denouu-
ed the DISTINGUISHING clause of the
Drake constitution from many rostrums
md even when that constitution had
been adopted Philips never ceased his
opposition to it but fought it to the end.
Now let me ask Middleton where
vas Major Warner during these days
II danger and trial? If he was i'm the
tate when the Drake constitution was
'dopted he was in favor of it. We
Know that he was here after it was
'dopted and was not only in favor of
is strict enforcement in disfranchising
III southerners but justified the wrongs
'erpetrated by Fletcher and Rodman
II throwing out counties that did not
'ote to suit them. 1t is well known
hat Major Warner was candidate for
'lrcult attorney i'll 1868, and that Rod
nan, then secretary of state thre ", ont
he vote OF Jackson county and thereby
elected Warner over his democratic
competitor. The same act defeated
.udge Wood for circuit Judge and Gen,
James Shields for congress, Major
Warner approved this outrage OF Rod
nan, ana accepted the Office obtained
" such methods and has always acted
With that party that upheld the Drake
and fought the democratic
Darty.
Yet Middleton says he cannot sup
'ort Philips because he is reported to
ave used some language one oc-
aston that is offensive to him, but he
will support Warner who has ALWAYS
'een his political enemy, who approved
lis disfranchisement, while Philips did
$ much as any man in the state to
trike off his shackles and restore him
md all other southern men to their
lights as citizens. Middleton is GER
ainly inconsistent and should reflect ,
'efore he votes. UNo