Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1896-05-14
o. S. HALLS POSITION CLEAR.
The Missouri Congressman Will Not
Run Again Save for Sound
Money.

Money.
WASHINGTON, May 6.-Congressman
L. S. Hall, of Missouri, has prepared
the following address to the Demo-
Gratis of the Second Missouri district:
'To the Democracy of the Second
district of Missouri: In answer to in
quiries from my friends in the Second
congressional district, write this let
ter to set forth my position and inten-
tions with regard to my candidacy and
for the Democratic nomination for
Congress in our district.
"The only convention that is au-
thorized to pass upon national ques-
tions, and that has delegates sent from
all the different parts of the United
States and their territories to assem-
BILE in one great national body to de-
clare the principles of our party on
questions of national interest, is the
national Democratic convention. In
that body are assembled representa-
tive Democrats from Maine to Cali
fornia, from Alaska to Florida. They
then take into consideration what
they conceive to be the interest of the
nation and set forth in the platform
what legislation they think should be
enacted of national character, to
bring prosperity to our common coun-
try. The only means by which this
national platform can be enacted into
law is by the action of the National
Congress, elected upon that platform.
While | do not deny the right and
power of congressional conventions
to declare in favor of local measures
and bind the nominee of the party
upon those issues, hardly think any
true Democrat would be bold enough
to assert that the congressional con-
vention can lay down platform that
will violate the platform of our nation
al convention and still be within the
scope of its authority.
"Should the national Democracy at
Chicago declare for the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at a ratio of
Is to to gold, by this government
alone, do not believe any man hold
ing the views that hold on the money
question should be put at the head of
the party in our congressional district,
and the duty be placed upon HIM of
trying to carry to successful issue in
the district this declaration of the
national Democracy, for the following
reasons: First, such Democrat, not
having faith in the correctness of such
a declaration, must necessarily be
placed at a great disadvantage in
arguing for its acceptance by the
voters; and, secondly, the credit for
putting such plank in the platform
would be in nowise due to his exer-
tions, and think that the emolumentt
of that office belong to some man who
believes that this principle is correct
and who was a factor in securing sucf
a declaration in the national plat
| form.
t'Therefore, should the national Dem
ocracy at Chicago make such a dec
laration, l will not be candidate fol
the Democratic nomination from the
Second district, but will voluntarily
retire from the contest, ever ready
however, to obey the call of my part.
as private citizen, and by my vots
and voice to do all in my power tt
keep our party intact, for the reason
that, while I do not believe in the
soundness of such declaration, yet
have been a Democrat all my life, have
always advocated it principles, voting
the ticket when no mention of the
money question was made in our ma
tional platform, when there was no di'
vision of our party upon that question,
and for the reason that sincerely be-
lieve that there are many other prin-
ciples OF greatest national Importance
that should hold us in the Democratic
party.
"If, on the other hand, the national
Democracy at Chicago should declare
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generally understood, ] shall then be
a candidate for the Democratic nomi-
nation in my district, and should / be
made its standard bearer again, viii
do all in my power to carry its banner
to the front, not only prompted by the
love for my party and its time honor
ed tradition, but from sincere beliei
that such declaration is in the inter.
est of our entire common country
West, East, North and Southland viii
cordially and enthusiastically urge the
people of our district and state te
stand by and carry to a successful is'
sue at the polls this platform and the
candidates nominated on the Demo
cratic ticket from the President down
"T'his is the only authorized state
ment | have made on this question
Very respectfully, U. y. HALL"
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