Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-05-03
Vest ana Clay.

vest ana Clay.
TO the Editor of the Ledger.
Mexico, April 2S.-I am not sur
prised at the editor of the Hstelli-
gencer in denouncing me as not
"beinga good Democrat and not a
friend of Senator Vest" because I
merely stated "that the State
Senators elected in 1888 would,
in the early part of January, 1891
about 26 months, only, after
they were elected--vote for sue
cessor to Senator Vest and that
fact should be known to the peo-
pie, because it is an issue in
the election of State Senator, to the
people an all important issue;
since it is well known fact that
the editor of the InteIIigencer is and
has been violently opposed to
Senator Vest. If he believes that
Senator Vest is the corrupt ringster
and trickster that he has in his pa
per so often published him to be,
then he ought to be opposed to his
reelection, and ought to do all in
his power to prevent it; and if the
editor of the Intellisencer is con-
scientious in his convictions as to
the fitness of Senator Vest, and I
believe he is, then it is his duty as
a good citizen and a good Democrat,
to use every endeavor that is honor
able, to elect State Senator who
will vote against Senator Vest in
1891. Having those convictions as
an honest man, he treats the sug-
gestion | make to the people sSto
have Col. Clay merely indicate
how he stands for United States
Senator for 1891, lightly. The edi-
toris mistaken when he says I
want Col. Clay to pledge himself
to vote for Vest. I do not want
that; I merely ask him to say
whether he is for or against Vest,
so that the people may vote. intel
|ligently, on< the only prominent
issue. That is all and nothing
more.
The editor of the InteIligencer
and those who are opposed to the
reelection of Senator Vest and
desire his defeat have a right to
know how Col. Clay stands on this
question and must know since
they are so warmly defending his
candidacy at this early day. And
1 earnestly insist that those who
are in favor of the reelection of
Senator Vest and believe him to be
an honest, faithful and capable rep
resentative of the great interests of
the people, one who is possessed of
| the courage, ability and eloquence
to rise in the Senate and cope with
any Senator on that floor in debate
have similar right, and are not to
be denied that sacred right by any
one who offers himself before them
for their suffrages. l care not who
he is or what his name may be.
As Col. Clay is the known close
political friend of the editor of the
Intelligencer-who is the open and
avowed enemy of Senator Vest
and the editor of the Intelligencer
seems to be we'll satisfied with the
candidacy of Col. Clay, is it not
enough, / ask, to make the friends
of Senator Vest suspicious and de-
slrous of knowing how Col. Clay
/ stands before casting their ballots
for him for the nomination at the
primary? will say in all candor
that what / have written is not for
the purpose as the Intelligeaeer
rcharges, ,"to bring on fight against
Col. Clay" l do it SO that the
people of Audrain county may be
Informed and vote inteliigently for
Estate Senator. / would love to
cast my vote at the primary for
Col. Clay for State Senator. be-
llicve him to he an honest, energetic
man, who would make a good and
faithful Senator, but under all the
surroundings and circumstances
connected with his candidacy SO far
for the Senate, unless he in some
positive way indicates how he
stands toward Senator Vest
I shall certainly Withhold my vote
from him at the coming primary.
lIfhe indicates that he is favorable
Ito Senator Vest / shall give him my
HEARTY support at the primary. If
otherwise, shall oppose his can
ldidacy. ! have no desire that any
one shall become q candidate
against him, from this or any other
Icounty in this District. ! believe
Ihlm to be a truly representative
man and I believe Col. Clay,
/ when he sees this, will at once
recognize the rights of the people,
land speak out in some unequivocal
way, positively, how he stands on
this issue, the only defined issue
before the people. / repeat, | do
mot ask Col. Clay to pledge him
self, but to only say how he stands.
i I trust the editor Of the Intelli-
loencer will treat this in kindly
spirit, and bear In mind that
4 tothers have rights as dear to them
las his are to him.
A VEsr DEMocRAr.