Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-10-02

course there can be no legal sale until
the voters authorize some one to sell.
Judge the thought OF the people has
not been directed along the line of the
personal responsibility of the individ-
ual voter.
This State has more elections and
courts than any other l have any
knowledge Of. There are five % courts
here where there are three (3J in Mis-
sissippi, and officers in proportion. On
October Sd, the State officers will be
elected In November Congressman
will be elected. In January. county
officers will be elected. Each of these
elections is preceded by a party pri-
mary election. So you see the people
are, in election years, in n perpetual
stir for months. The elections and
courts cost the taxpayers a tremen-
dous sun and much of it, as it seems
to me, might. and ought TO be, saved
to the people.
Politics. Politics.! Politics!.!
The political pot is boiling at furi-
Gus rate all over the State. Ten
speeches. | am told, were made here
last Saturday. Among the speakers
was Senator Walsh. | was anxious to
hear him, but an absence of two weeks
made it needful for me to remain in
my study. The Senator's friends say
"he overshot his crowd" He is very
intellectual man, full of fiery eloquence.
Both sides claim they will win in the
State election. The Democratic Ex-
ecutive committee has refused to di-
vide election managers, and the Popu-
lists claim that it means that they
know nothing but fraud will save
them. The Democrats deny this and
say the Executive committee has moth
ing to do with the management of cleo
tons OF course, cannot know what
will occur. but know one thing, and
have said that in my pulpit, If there
is fraud and perjury committed In the
coming elections God will deal with
the offenders, of which ever party they
may be, for their awful sins.
A Populist said to me not long since,
"You are not with either party. We
know the Democrats will buy with
whisky and money, the negro vote if
we let them. Don't you think we ought
to buy that vote under the circum-
stances?" | replied, do you expect to
reform this country by perjury? You
have sworn to support the laws of your
State Among them is the law that
votes are not to be sold or bought. How
can you buy vote without violating
your oath? A thousand times, no!
Don't you buy vote, or consent to it
being done. Better a thousand defeats,
with integrity preserved, than success
won by perjury. God will curse, with
an everlasting curse the man who
swears lie for political, or any other
purposes"
II had not thought of that OF course
we must not buy votes and violate the
law" the Populist said. | think
good many are like this man, had not
thought of what vote-buying means.
The struggle between Atkinson
Democrat and Hines Populist) for
the Governorship is nothing short of
terrific. John Temple Graves thun-
derbolt has shaken things considera-
bly, and | have heard of several Metho-
dist ministers who are outspoken
against Atkinson, because of his cor
rupt methods used to defeat Gen. Ev-
ans, and secure his election over Hines.
There is some apprehension that there
will be serious trouble in some places
on election day. l, in common with
many others, hope that Christian vo-
tiers will not forget that God regards
their conduct on election day, as we'll
as at church. IF man does not act
the Christian in politics, is he Chris
tian at ALP is an interesting question
in the minds Of very many people now.
l don't care a thrip about parties. |
simply long to see the day when the
Christian men of this Nation will be
too loyal to God, and too careful of
their characters and influence to vote
with party that endorses the saloons
or is silent on the subject.
Farmers and merchants are depress-
ed over the low price of cotton. A
merchant said to me today: sit don't
look like the farmers can pay out at
present prices, and if they fail, it will
ruin many merchants" So it will.
\ cold snap is on us, making fires
and overcoats comfortable.
God bless you and all your readers.
With very best wishes.
Yours ever,
j. II. GAMBRELL.