The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-18
MAKES AN APPEAL
Mrs. Annie Diggs Writes an
Open Letter
To L. ID. LeWelling Asking Him
to Withdraw
FROM THE RACE FOR
The GOvernOrship and Not to
leopard the Party,
BY Compelling 1t to Act on the
Defensive.
Tan Open Letter to Ex-Governor Lew
cling

IAN Open Letter to Ex-Governor Lew
e1ling.1
Governor Lewelling, Wichita, Kan.
Ny Dear Sir:
My reason for addressing you thus
publicly is two-foId. First desire it
to be known that the courteous and
kindly treatment I have ever received
from you has made it impossible
for me to entertain other than kindly
feelings toward you.
My second reason is, that wider pub
Iicity may be accorded the views herein
expressed than private communica-
ton could receive.
learn with much regret that you
are a probable candidate for renomina-
tion for the Office of governor of Kan
sas- My regret is based not upon per
sonal antipathy, neitherhave I a ii
rade OF censOrious criticism to utter of
your official career. The unparalleled
perplexities, the turbulence, the terrif-
fic strain of the perilOus times during
your term of office should enlist SYM
pathy and foster a spirit of Judge
not among those of our household of
faith. Abuse and hostile criticism may
be left to the enemy.
You are doubtless aware, Governor,
that few if any of the campaignerS
during your last candidacy were more
familiar with all the conditions and
the phases of thought and feeling
6LilOll5 lIlE people Oh AdLSaS LIldL W eLS
I. knew precisely what we had to
contend with. what objections and
criticisms we had to meet and what
prejudices to overcome. You also
know that a splendid campaign was
carried on. I know that your own
speeches not only carried the gospel
and enlightened the people but your
personality won yDu many friends.
Yet Notwithstanding all this the un-
fortunate events and unhappy features
of your official term resulted in defeat.
The chief cause which brought about
your enthusiastic denomination two
years ago was the heroic determination
of our party to stand by the record of
their legislature of the previous win
ter Our people were fired with a
Jealous determination to vindicate a
course which they believed to be just
and righteous. Vindication was the
WatchWOrd and the ralying cry But
time has borne US away from that spe-
cial phase of feeling. While we still
hold to a belief in the justice of our
case it is against nature to attempt to
T6aWaken the sentiment which enflamed
the rallying cry of two years ago. 1t is
therefore my belief that you would be
this fall a far weaker candidate than
you were two years ago. Your renOmi-
nation would unquestionably revive all
the old prejudice. all the scandals and
all the falsehoods of those opposed TO
US, while we would be forced as we
were in a measure before to waste time
refuting falsehoOds, or else rest under
the charge that we were unable to re-
fute them.
feel sure Gov. Lewelling that your
own devotion to humanity will rise and
respond to the truth that this is too
nOmentOuS, too solemn. too fateful a
time to be weighted down with the
drOss and triviality of any sort of per
sOnalism. There should be no need of
tagging by the way to do battle with
the petty. yet dangerous, nagging of
the enemy. Instead of being forced to
return to the past we should be solely
intent upon pressing forward to the
glorious goal of the promising future.
Those who are urging your renomin-
alton may ask why you may not again
gain friends by a personal canvass?
reply: A defeated leader never can
arouse and enthuse the voters as one
who carries the prestige of position.
This may not be high principle. but it
is unpleasant fact. Defeat disheart-
ems Possession is power. You We're
unable to avert defeat even with all of
your prestige of possession.
Another point against your candida
cy is the fact that so many of our own
people are either opposed or without
heart concerning your election. We
need a candidate who can go into the
canvass with a hearty. hopeful ap-
prova1 of all our people That. of
course, you know you cannot have: and
that fact alone should so appeal to your
loyal devotion to the principles of our
party as to move you to declare that
under no circumstances will you con
sent to be a demoralizing, disintegrat-
ing factor.
Moreover. Governor. Kansas has
humanity in politics, hundreds of men
Htted by Intelligence and integrity to
perform the duties of chief executive
And these men are Kansans of far
longer residence than yourself They
are men whose toll. whose energy and
nobility have developed this splendid
commonwealth. Is there not much in
consistency in passing by such as
these to thrice thrust honor and place
upon one so lately identified with kan
sas as yOurself2
Do you not. Governor, agree with me
that the mighty import of the crisis
which is upon US should still the
yours to acQuiesce in such clamor as
comes to your ears urging your candi-
dacy2
Is there not enough of subIimftv in
the vast issues before US to enable vo71
TO rise above the sting and spur of that
Wnlch may seem to you unwarranted
an9 undeserVed opposition?
Believing that an era of great
thoughts and great actions is
upon US, believing that men are to be
moved toward a higher and dfviner or
der OF society than has ever vet been
Lea1zeu IN our beloved country. believ-
ing that the power not ourselves
Whlch makes for righteousness" is
bearing US on to a larger realization Of
the kingdom of God on earth. I anDea1
to you, Governor Lewelling, with great
hope in my heart that Won will ref47ea
to lead us to defeat, and that Won win
unseIhshly and loyalty battle with us
from the rostrum for the enIighten-
ment Of the voters of Kansas
Trusting and hoping, I am verv sin
cerely yours for humanity for x-io+o1,-
in Kansas and for William JENNINGS
Bryan. ANNIE L. DIGGS