The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-07-11
The Attacks on Bland.

| The Attacks on Bland.
From the Kansas City Times, July 3.
1t has always been one of the worst
features of politics that in their despGr-
alton unscrupulous politicians viii
ignore moral laws. We have made
some advances over the people Of the
past by insisting that the exigancies of
politics do not justify breaches OF
human law, and by legislatlng against
the defeat of the will of the people by
force, fraud, or bribery. 1t is true
these laws are not enforced so strictly
as they should be, but their very exist
ence is favorable indication for the
future.
In one respect, however, we have
hardly advanced at all, if we have not
actually degenerated. That is, in the
use of INSCRIPTIONS lies and defama-
ton of character in order TO defeat
political opponents. Take, for in
stance, the case of Mr. Bland. Hear
is man who has served twenty years
in congress to the entire satisfaction OF
his constituents. If he has been wrong
on any question he has still been true
in representing the belief of his con-
stituents in regard to it, and he has
been so ruggedly honest and so thor
oughly sincere that not even his oppo-
nents dared TO make insinuations
against him.
Today, in accordance with the cx-
pressed wishes of the people of Mis-
souri, and other states, he stands as Il
candidate for the democratic nomina-
ton for the presidency. He has not
sought the honOr-in his modesty and
his sincerity in the cause of free silver,
he even deprecated the movement 10
make him the standard bearer. The
people, however, considering him their
strongest and most deserving leader,
call for his nomination. Under the
circumstances it would seem utterly
impossible for anybody to make a per-
sonal attack on him.
Even truth, however, shall not escape
calumny, and "IIOnest Dick" is now
the target for slnnderous lies. 1t has
been insinuated that his record on
labor questions is Objectionable, where
as, being a real farmer and working
man himself, and coming from state
where honest labor is highly respected,
Mr.. Bland has naturally been n true
friend 10 labor and laborIng men.
There is no reason to doubt ti'at this
can be proven in the face of any So
called friend of the workingmen. And
if the workingmen of other states are
as well informed as those of Missouri,
Kansas, and this section, they will
prefer Mr.. Bland to any other candi-
date whose name has been mentioned.
Other attacks upon Mr.. Bland have
been made. He is charged with eXccs
sive plainness, as if that were an OBJ
lection in the party whose founder.
Thomas Jefferson, shocked the polite
society of his time by his simplicity,
four, rode on horseback at his inaugu- |
ration, tied his horse with his own
hands, and went into the Capitol TO
make his inaugural address. Simplic-
ity, in fact, Is distinctive trait of
democracy. 1t is his very plainness
that endears Mr. Bland to the people,
and encourages them to hope for their
rights Mt his hands in spite of the
temptations and threats of
or politicians.
Again, Mr.. Bland is sometimes
sneered at as being of small ability.
He certainly is rot brilliant, and never
assumed nor cared to be. Nobody
prelends that he is n genius. But he
has ability enough To have served his
twenty years in the house,
where ADLER men have betrayed theirs.
He has ability enough To know where
ne stands, aud not 10 be afraid To say
80. And compared To the empty. vas
cowardly drmaS''gar " hOm
he republican monop"lisls nominated,
Mr. Bland looms up oigrniIc. Moth
ng can he gained lay abusing "r SLAM
lering Mr. Bland. lie suits the people,
md all they want is an opportunity to
,ut hlm in he W hl,c House.