Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1891-02-27
Mossback Resentful.

After forty years OF unfaltering
loyalty to the party to which was
born, thirty of which have been
eked out in the humiliating servi-
tude imposed by the county clique,
| End myself virtually a political
exile. Self-pity invests my ex-
perience with all the oppressive
melancholy of the fate of the
lrishman, Emmet. The guillo-
tine of the court house ring has
been busy with my political head
at each election for number of
years. [ am pretty thoroughly be-
headed at last. Not a potentate
who lolls in the cushioned seat of
party power will spend one mo-
ment wi h me in talk. Not an
official who handles the shekels of
public favor, and who was all
smiles before the election, will
hear my appeal for paltry quar-
ter. Not a paper IL Schuyler
county, Democratic for either
principle or patronage, will pub
lish an article from my pen. It's
prescription WORTHY of the ban
ner precincts of Dlxie-only the
whole world of difference lies be-
tween my case and that of the mig
ger. All there is between black
and white-between midnight and
noon-forbids that Solomon Moss
back, whilom of Kentucky, should
fare as the dirty and despicable
niger. | don't condemn the
southern methods of dealing with
the blacks. l fully endorse the
sentiments of Senator Vest, and
would gladly again take up the
slave-whip | used to WELD with
such pleasure, when | was overseer
of Buzzard Bottom plantation in
my native state. But when siml-
lar methods are employed to re-
duce me to an impalpablo political
nothing l align myself9with the un-
terrified kickers, and go about
hungering for justice. 1t is in
quest of justice that ! come to the
GRAPHIC, all Democrat as [ am,,
and ask to give my views, which l
fancy are spiced here and there
with originality, an airing. Ii the
courtesy may need be rather ex-
tended, it Will be the more highly
appreciated. My thoughts have
always run in the political chan
mel, though, SO far, they have
only succeeded in losing them
selves in the dead sea of dis p
pointment. 1t was the stars which
fought against Sisera, but it is the
demagogue who pcrsistently dooms
my hopes to sleep with the cold
and quiet Capulets of ambition.
| have known better days. Time
was indeed, when | had small
but earnest voice IN the manage
ment of the party In the count u.
For some years was justice of the
peace, though at that time [ had
hardly learned to write; and once
in q convention [ was familiarly
known as the delegate from Elm
Narrows. But adversely came.
Caesars ambition made him enc
mics and my repeated candidacy
for different minor offices proyok-
ed a jealousy that has left me a
political outcast. | have been fed
upon ridicule and clothed with
contumely. Our man for whom |
industriously circulated the per-
suasive Jug at two elections, now
designates me as the ELM Mar
rows Demiiohn," and eludes me
in town as if [ were sample case
of leprosy. He takes good care to
contribute nothing toward replen-
ishing the demijohp, | notice. An
other, for whom | once distribnt-
ed twenty dollars before prima-
ry, charging only fifty per cent.
COMMISSION and mileage, speak of
me as the "Al,iance Ramshorn. |
think the county papers of my
party have gone through the whole
catalogue of derogatory designa-
tions In my behalf. They have
called me kicker" ''soaker," F."
"hootowl" traitor and only the
recording angel could tell what
else. Last winter, when [ had
the grippe, one of them even had
my obituary verse in type when |
rallied. A friend who saw the
copy tells me it was as follows:
ION, bury old solomon down in the vale,
In deep, deer hole in the ground,
Where t e shitepokes will waltz while the
thunderpamps sing,
And the straddlebugs simrer around.
Oh. there let him lie forever at rest,
unwakened by Gabriel or Nick:
No angel or worm will fool with his clay,
Whoever has heard OF his kick!''
| Forbearanee is no longer vir-
tue. Ii the Democratic high
priests don't come to me with pro-
per terms, | shall proceed to yank
out the skeleton.
| Notice 10 TeapharS