The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-10-17
ssGentleman'' Defends His Political
Views.

I
fury, should certainly be in some
danger of losing my temper at this
time. The extremely abusive and I'M
pleasant letters which you are pleased
to publish in relation to my commun-
ications in your paper-and permit
me to say that you might easily be in
more dignified business than pander-
ing to the passions and prejudices OF
the mob-are but samples of hundreds
that have reached me personally
through your Office.
And what, after all, is my offence?
have said that the lower orders are
incapable, without the instruction of
their betters in brain and social posi-
ton, intelligently to use the franchise.
| have said it is better for themselves
and the country that their votes
should be controlled by purchase and
gentle coercion; rather than that they
should be allowed in their ignorance
to go to the ballot box and vote for
Bryan, free silver, reputation, ma
tional dishonor and the despoilment
OF the upper classes, who represent
about all there is OF civilization among
us. | have said that | cordially APP
prove of the measures taken by that
broad minded, resolute and patriotic
man, Mr.. Mark Hanna, TO prevent the
triumph of Anarchy and Socialism,
which Demagogue Bryan's election
would be.
One would think from the brutal
and scandalous manner in which | aIn
assailed on all hands that PERSONAL
ly am responsible for the following
existing facts;
/. The inferior mentality of the
average mechanic, farmer and laborer,
which inferior mentality units him
for that citizenship he Is almost sure
to misuse unless he is guided by those
who are his betters in intellect and
knowledge
2. The creation of the Public Safe
ty Fund, amounting TO many millions
of dollars, which has been contributed
by the best and foremost citizens of
the United States and intrusted to
Mr.. Hanna for political use.
3. The action of sensible Republi-
can and gold standard Democratic en-
ployers nearly everywhere in giving
their employees light on the question
of the money standards and causing
them to understand that vote thrown
against the common interests will be
punished by discharge.
Now sir, only yokels and clodhop-
pers, who are no more qualified to
vote upon the financial issue than they
are TO sit down at gentlemans table
and conduct themselves like polished
members of polite society, can possi-
bly, misunderstood my position. OBJ
yiously | did not create the facts
which | have enumerated. / have
simply given public expression to my
approval of Facts and 3.
And | am proud to say that In this
attitude of approval | am in the very
best of company. In all my friendly
intercourse with Mr.. Hanna, which
has existed over some years, | have
never detected in him trace of that
most odious of all characteristic
hyprocrite. What he does he does
with open, manly frankness. Never
in his dealings with the labor unions,
in his private capacity as capitalist,
has he truckled for an instant that he
might receive that poor reward of the
coward and trimmer-popularity.
When the lower orders invited him to
war he ever willingly accepted the
challenge, and for their blind temer-
ity crushed them. AS he is n bust
ness, so he Is in politics. The better
classes who have supplied this great
and brave man With funds for the
election of Mckinley and the main
tenance of the gold standard and our
national honor, know as well as | dc
the uses to which their generous con-
tributions are to be put. So does oui
gallant standafd-bearer, cur valiant
champion against the hosts of ignor-
ance, poverty and greed-Major vii.
liam Mckinley, of Ohio. So does the
more enlightened portions of the
press, which, splendidly Indifferent to
party lines, has rallied to the defence
of the rightful but beleagured aristoc-
racy of this unhappy country-tht
aristocracy of wealth, culture and
brains; three in one, one in three; tn,
trinity Of the Republics true and only
hope.
And if the better classes and the
patriotic portion Of the press utter NJ
demur against the wise employment
of money and of guiding coercion fol
the furtherance of a righteous cause
why should / be made the object o
vile and insensate detraction because
| join my approval to theirs?
Sir, things have come to pretty
pass indeed when gentleman witt
chooses to interest himself in publ,
affairs cannot do so except at the cos
of becoming target for the foul mis-
siles of the insolent and unletteret
mob. But let me tell these ruffians o
the pen that In spite of their cheal
protestations of independence ant
|, self-ownership they will do as they ar
bid on election day or take the conse
quences. | am not to be deferred
from voicing my opinions and doin.
my duty because the boots of Grove
of mudsills who are not worthy t.
brush gentleman's coat go up agains
nie. Neielef WIZ ule sreau hos1s .
honorable anu determined men VIII
wnom ! am aliied IN interest ana sym
patny DC palkeu Oh their nlgn purpos
oy lne roars 1nat come from IN
tnroats Oh the "many-heaoed mon
ster' as Shakespeare, who was gen
tleman at heart, Notwithstanding hi
: unfortunate social position, so aptl
T v 'nao,th We us ~. 1917 -. :. :,