The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-05-03

answer, but from the fact, that II so
free of construction as Judge Ryland
might attempt TO cOnstrne our silence
against us. When he wrote he article
he undoubtedly had before him what
was, or what purported to be u copy
of the by laws and constitution OF this
league. He cites article y, and then
by intimatiOn makes the charge OF
blackmailIng. The article is headed,
Fraudulent disposition, which is answer
enough in Itself. lie then takes advan-
tage of a typographical error OF one
word to support his charge, that is The
word, "WithiR' which is made by the
printer to read "WithOut." We will give
the section as il is in the manuscript
and as adopted by the league:
Art. %. Fraudulent Disposition
Any member or members of this league
who sells out or disposes of the votes
or interest of this leagu ne "Wtihtn' sand
leagues knowledge shall upon proof be
expelled from the league by the mem
bers at any regular meeting.
The person from whom Judge Ky
land obtained his copy OF the bylaws
must have directly or indirectly receIv-
ed it from an unworthy source. Ii
could have been obtained only from Il
member or from what we deemed IA
trusted friend or emplOye. Now we ask
of the public what do you think OF IA
person who would join All organization
and take the obligation and then betray
them? Even if the judges quotation
WAS correct be would find but few that
would place his construction upon the
section.
AS he was quoting our bylaws, why
did he nOt also quote article 70, which
Ia as follows:
Art. 20. Political Whenever
il is discovered that there is an OIy0n.
ized ring in the league Tor the purpose
OF ~ddUdncing their OaCn particular de-
signs, they shall be treated as cOnspira-
tors against the general good OF the
league, and, upon proof, be expelled
therefrOm by a majority vote OF the
members present at any regular meet
Ing.
lie did not quote the above simply
because il in itself was a complete
refutation of the charge implied.
This organization as a body does not
propose to take any part either Tor or
against any candidate. AS II league we
take no interest in the race tor probate
Judge or any other office. We settle
political differences only between our
own members, this is necessary to pre-
serve our own union, and our own
strength. As individuals we are left free
to vote for our choice. There could
have been but one motive in Judge
Rylsnds article and that was to strike
his opponent through this league and
make it appear that we as a body were
opposing him, and then to pose as a
martyr.
We again reiterate that as a body we
have no part to play, and no interest
either in the candidacy of Judge Ry-
land or his opponent
Now, as to the charge of being an
unauthorized body and a secret one,
we will say if Judge Il. had stopped to
consider a moment, he would have
recalled the fact that the leaders of
our party have not only advocated but
inaugurated ar organization known as
the "National Democratic Tariff Re-
form League" Besides, we assert that
as long as we are staunch and true to
the interests of democracy, W. need no
authority from any county committee.
The creature cannot become higher
than the Creator.
BY order of the executive committee.