The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-10-13
VI II W llOINLOl IlOlN II
Senator George Graham Vest
Speaks to One of the
Largest Audiences
Ever Assembled
in Lafayette
County.
AN EL(QUENT AND ABLE SPEECH.
In Which He Discussed Finance and
Taxation Without Fear or Favor
The Speech Condensed.
AN EL(QUENT AND ABLE SPEECH

Senator George Graham Vest spoke
at the opera house, in this city, last
Monday, TO one of the largest and most
representative audiences ever assembled
in this county.
Early Monday morning buggies and
wagons began 10 arrive, loaded with
voters who desired to hear and see one
of the greatest of American statesmen.
Senator Vest arrived on tho Wabash,
and was met at the Junction by DIR. p.
S. Fulkerson, Capt. j. q. Plattenburg
and Mr.. Horace +. Blackwell and
escorted to Mrs. Nickell's Home,
where an informal reception was held.
The senator was to speak at two
O'Clock, p. m., and long before that
hour the opera house was well filled.
Standing room was soon at a premium,
and about 200 persons were sent away,
being unable to secure admittance.
At least 1900 voters were in the house
when Hon. John s. Blackwell and
others entered with Senator Vest.
The sight of the "Littlo Giant" pro-
voked loud applause, which only died
away when MIR. Blackwell called the
house to order, some ten minutes later,
and announced the presence Of Senator
Vest, who was here to meet his con-
stituents face to face, and render an
account of his stewardship Mr..
Blackwell paid an eloquent tribute to
the senator, and introduced him as
s'onc of the lOftiest, truest, ablest and
most patriotic men in public life."
Senator Vest, looking as natural as
an old shoe, advanced to the front Of
the stage and began his address by
saying that he bore no apologies and
no malice. His speech throughout
was an able, fearless enunciation of
democratic principles. We give it
below in condensed form, and trust
that our readers will peruse it carefully.
Senator Vest said:
II any one is here with the expecta-
tion that will attack the president of
the United States, or any other demo-
crat, that expectation will not be
realized. Whatever differences of
opinion as to public questions may
exist between the president and myself,
they shall not interfere, SO far as I am
concerned, with my duty in the hour of
conflict and danger. My contest is
now with; the enemy-nOt with the
democrats. No word from me shall
furnish an. excuse for lukewarmness or
hesitation by any democrat, nor give
encouragement to our enemies.
The Spaniards have maxim that
ssyou should not throw dirt upon n
breakfast which must be eaten," and
whatever may have been my hopes or
opinions as to the legislation recently
enacted, l will not increase existing
difficulties and embarrassment by de-
nouncing that legislation, and thereby
furnishing ammunition to the repub-
lican party.
It seems to me our first duty to
secure what is possible in the interest
of the whole country, and not to reject
the reforms which can now be had,
because the full measure of relief is
beyond our reach.
1 am not here to apologize for my
action. In my public life there is
nothing which gives me mere satisfac-
tion than the consciousness that have
honestly done my duty as a senator in
the struggle through which have just
passed. In looking back, 1 have
nothing to retract, and, SO far as my
personal action is concerned, to regret.
The democratic party, in 1892,
pledged itself to certain reforms:
First-The repeal of the federal
election laws, which authorized the use
of United States marshals and soldiers
at the polls.
Second-The repeal of the Sherman
act.
Third-The reduction of tariff taxa
ton to a revenue basis.
Fourth-The lessening of govern.
mental expenses.
Governor Mckinley, in his recent
speech at Bangor, Maine, makes the
statement that not single pledge OF
the democrats has baen redeemed.