The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-10-20

To the Editor of the Intelligencer.
The die is cast; the ball IS over. and
Van Horn is nominated for congress.
Well, what of it,
There is a great deal to think of in
connection with the name of Van
Horn.
First, he is a republican, imbued with
principle but n
He is for high tariff; even the Nc
Kinley robber tariff, which cost the
people millions of dollars i'm the four
years it was in existence:
Had he been Il member of congress
he would have voted against the repeal
of the federal election law.
He would have voted rs Tom. Reed
directed, and for the wild appropriations
of the billion dollar congress.
Everything that is republican would
have received his support except one
measure.
This is reason enough why he should
not be elected.
But there are others.
There Is a small part of the history
of this state with which his name is
connected that should he known and
studied. 1t is spicy, important, and
full Of interest to the people.
There is a principle of law and morals
that everything obtained by fraud is
wrong. Fraud taints everything. 1t
spreads its virus yer everything it
touches, and it rests with q deadly
weight upon those who are connected
with it.
In 1865 that noted instrument, the
Drake constitution Of the state, was
adopted. 1t DISTINGUISHED all who EN-
gagged in the rebellion, and all who SYM
pathiZed with them or with the cOnfed-
crate cause. Under its provisions two
thirds of the people of the state were
deprived Of the right to vote, and the
republican minority, by means of regis
tratiOn, controlled the state.
The election of 1868 was held while
this condition existed.
Carroll, Lafayette, Jackson and other
counties composed the congressional
district jackson. Lafayette, Saline and
Pettis constituted the judicial district.
Gen. James Shields was the nominee
OF the democratic party for congress.
That great man had carried the stars
and stripes in triumph through the
Mexican war, and fought the battles of
the union in the war with the cOnfed-
eracy, until he gained a name high in
the annals Of his country. He had also
been hOnored three times with seats in
the United States senate from AS many
states. His union sentiment could not
be doubted. Robert Il. Van Horn. who
is again a candidate, was his radical
opponent.
In the judicial circuit our W veneer
ated Judge w. L. Wood was the demo-
cratic candidate for Judge, and T.. p.
TOwnsley the radical. VIM. Warner was
the radical candidate for prosecuting
attorney against a democrat whose name
we do not remember. This much
Of the history of the time is necessary
to give the reader an idea of the situation
in 1858. 1t should be remembered that
all the machinery Of election was in the
hands Of the party In power, known
then a the radical party. All the state
officers who counted the votes and Issued
the certificates Of election, and the
registrars, who determined who should
vote and who recorded their names,
were republicans.
The election of 1868 came of. The
trimming Of the voters had been great.
Yet to the sort disappointment Of the
radicals, victory perched upon the dem
ocratic banner. Shields, Wood, and the
democratic candidate for prosecuting
attorney, were elected. But did they
get the Offices.
The radicals were sadly disappointed.
These men, so inimical TO radical union
lists, must not hold the offices. Some
thing must be done. The votes of the
counties had to be cast up at Jefferson
City, and the commissions issued by the
The votes might be corrected" Oh
enough thrown out to elect the repub-
lican. But who would do itp
The instrument to carry out this out
rage was found. ROdman, Count
ROdman as he was called, was secretary
of state. He cast up the votes and
issued the certificates.
In counting the votes by counties il
was found that by throwing out Jackson
Ecounty General Shields would be defeat.
ed and Van Horn elected to congress.
1t would also elect TOwnsley judge Of the
district, and Warner prosecuting attOr.
ney Ove their democratic opponents.
The scheme was well considered, aud
ROdman carried it out to the letter
: The vote of Jackson county was thrown
aside, and the commissions issued Il
Van Horn, TOwnsley and Warner.
The action of ROdman was an outrage
upon justice and the rights of the people
and the question is asked, could thu
, Office, under such circumstances, b
> hOnOrably accepted?" This is a Ques
ton that the reader must decide.
The throwing out of the vote was {
l fraud of the deepest die, and those wh(
, reaPed the benefits should have shown
) their condemnation of such action b,
: refusing to accept the offices. This the!
did not do. Van Horn accepted AMI
served out the term in congress, ant
|, thus not only approved the fraud bu
. accepted the emOluments arising from
it. He is again before the people 70
the same position. Will the peopl
give it to himp JUSTICE.