The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-03-08
BERNARp Kelly.
Hall Text oREls Letter DeeIinsuk 70 be
Candidate for Governor.
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BERNARD KELLY. IS
ElIl Text ofHIs Letter DeeIlnsuk 10 be c
Candidate for Governor. IL
From the Winfield Courier.
Some months ago the Courier sug- ;
gested the name of Rev. Bernard Kelly :
as proper and excellent selection for ,
the head of the republican state ticket.
The Courier believed then, as now, that
the time had come when the republican
party should select an able, clean and !
fearless man-ons whose record was
absolutely stainless, and with
sufficient determination and back
bone to hold OF the crowd of
boodlers and hangers-on who
always seek to possess every ave-
nue. of state patronage. 1t believed
that Bernard Kelly was that man. The
suggestion was met with an endorse
ment from the press and from repre-
sentative men all over the state as
hearty as it was unexpected. They
recognized the sterling character of the |
man, his fearless advocacy of every |
principle of right and justice, his dis |
tinguished services to the state and to |
the republican party, and did not hesi- |
tate to say so. With such hearty and
general support his nomination was as
sured. Although the use of his name
in that connection had been without
| his knowledge or consent, We felt that
| he would not and ought not to object.
But in this we seem TO have been mis-
taken. The following letter, received
to-day, is his decision on the subject.
EMPORIA, Feb. %, 1SSS.-DEAR
FRIEND GREER:-The time has nn-
doubtedly come for me to say whether
/ am, or am not, candidate for
governor Of Kansas. The use of my
name for the Office was without my
knowledge or consent. l Immediately
stated through your paper that l was
not, and could not be a candidate.
Numerous friends, however, from all
parts of the state have urged me not
to decline the use of my name. and,
unsolicited, have promised their help
! and support. ! thought it sentiment,
or the outgroWth of the devotion OF a
/ few friends that would adjust itself in
time without formal declination, but
find was mistaken, and the assur-
! ance of support from all classes and all
: parts of the state has placed the re-
Sponsibility upon me to say whether
5 or not will be a candidate.
In my twenty-second year volun.
! teered as private in company F, 1O3d
5 regiment, Illinois volunteers. At the
9 time was last wounded, at OalllS
? Georgia, in 1854. was captain of said
/ company. 1 was discharged by order
I of the secretary of war, ION account Of
! wounds received in battle, thus giving
5 little more than two years of the best
3 Of my life to my country. In Septem
q Der, 1856, entered the Cincinnati con
s ference of the Methodist EpiscOpa
z church, and continued therein three
\ and half years. Eighteen years ag'
came to Kansas and united with thu
70 Kansas conference, and was appointeC
d to Emporia. came, not as an expert
g ment, but to make Kansas my home
g and to be a citizen of the state.
& How well and faithfully I hav
8 served my church, I am willing for tn
70 members and friends of the churche
in Emporia, Ottawa, Fl. Scott, WITCH
tia, and Winfield, also the minister
and members of the Fit. Scott and I'm
:, poria districts, to testify. 1 am willin
for the record to be published. hav'
u filed all my appointments IN thes
d twenty-five years, with three excep
o. lions, and those on account of sickness
I have not speculated, taken claims
pursued merchandise, not allowed an
u interest, social or personal to interior
with my duties to the church. / sa
these things because have been un
m Justly criticised by a few of m
~ ministerial brethren. ] have given a
these years to the church, to my famil
and friends, to the help and encourage
N ment of the old soldiers, the cause Q
temperance and the republican party
If it is crime to go to the primarie
SO and do what can to get good men an
a. good legislation, then / am a sinner
It and now, let me say, believe in KaI
. sas, her people, her institutions, he
press, her pulpits, her schools, he
D. prohibition, and the republican party
st who has been true to all these interests
,e am grateful to the many leading me
= and others, who voluntarily Offere
VI their support, and the press for the
le generous and kindly notices, and no
I'd with sincerity, l say, have not bee
and cannot be candidate for gov
ernor. BERNARD KELLY,
Mr.. Kelley is minister, but he
III also a citizen. While he owes q
legiance to his church, he has dut
to perform toward the people of b
50 state as well. The senseless twadd
90 INDUCED in by some about preacher
% in politics. is tiresome. Garfield,
80 many respects the greatest man tt
nation has produced, was preache
and maintained his character as
Christian and did his country col
Or spicuous service in the field Of polite
We would rather 70 to the polls vii
Bernard Kelly, backed by his religion
convictions and Christian characte
than with any politician" that can
named. Without reward or hope
reward, he has battled for republica
ism-not for patronage or power, b.
for principle, for right and for Il
moral and material advancement
IS, the people of Kansas.
Of With all due respect to Mr.. Kelly
convictions of right in this matter, '
| still believe that he should submit
the judgement of his friends. and mai
the race. AS candidate, he would
invincible; as governor, he would hon
N, the state and bring credit to his part
90 The Courier hopes he NAV recOnSiG
7. the determination expressed above.