The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-02-22


some admiratian for courage. / can
admire the man who, clinging to his
own opinion. though it be newly ac-
quired. is willing on account of 1t to
surrender place and power, is willing
to retire from the walks of public life
to the shades of private life. And
can also imagine Il case where perhaps
the shades of private life may rest upon
one without particular reference TO his
course upon this question or that ques-
ton. There are such cases. When
those cases arise it is seen in those
particular instances-L am not citing
any at at all-in those particular in
stances it may be seen that he sur
render of great and good things is
rather before the footlights and for the
gallery than The actual giving up of
anything anything which may be re-
tanned. (Applause.)
Now, do not know what persons
were feferred TO in the illusions about
Mr.. Chairman, or believe I know, that
the person who obtains the suffrages of
the free-born citizens of Missouri by
advocating doctrines to which they are
devoted, and who then changes his
views so as to turn himself against that
which he advocated before them and
which they wished to see voted here,
is liable to find no finer lining for his
nest than the rough straw, unless some
great duck shooter shall drop little
down INTO that nest. daughter and
applause.)
wish to say-and call upon gen.
tlemen who doubt the correctness of the
saying to note the event for the proof
III wish to say that when the voice of
the democracy of Missouri is heard las 1t
tsEill be, upon the 10Th of next April,
when ifs representatives meet to send
delegates to the national convention. I
believe they win speak With no uncer-
tam voice; believe they viii tspeak
in the apologetic tones of fhose who
have been left to grope in darkns- =
because of the cowardice of politicians
who failed to instruct them. 1 believe
that they will not speak in the voice OF
the courageous politicians who are
assuming to instruct them against their
deliberte judgment; but L believe that
when the voice of Missouri is heard 1t
will be heard again as it has been heard
heretofore in favor of what they under
stand to be the doctrine of justice and
right, the doctrine of the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the old
time-honored, time-tried and time
tested ration of 16 to 1.
No, Mr.. Chairman, the question
before us is really a very serious one.
1t is of very vast moment. 1t is a
question, believe, which will be dis
cussed from ocean to ocean, and from
the lakes to the Gulf in the next few
months, question on which millions
of men will vote next November. Shall
we shrink from it? Shall we dodge il? |?
Shall we endeavor to evade by snbter-
fugeP Let us realize that the people of
this country have begun to learn with
out the intervention of political teach
ers, that he who is not with us is
against US.
Now, my colleague gave some very
startling information to the house. 1
understand him to state that as many
as eight senators who voted for the
bill said that they believed that its pas
sage was fraught with grave danger
and serious harm to the country-I do
not recollect the exact words he used,
but that is the thought. As to this
statement | know nothing. But the
question was asked him, did he believe
1t himself? He replied that he did.
The question, s'Do you believe the
charger" was perhaps uttered. 1 be-
lieve that was the language. I think
it likely that the word "charge'' must
have virtually been put into the mouth
of my colleague, and that he did not
utter it himself. Certainly scharge"
is not the word that he used, unless he
has been greatly misrepresented. For
a number of months past my colleague
has been going through the state dis
cussing the question and endeavoring
to enhghten the benighted people, ac-
cording to my colleagues idea, upon
this question.
He is reported to have said that he
had learned the error of his way, and
he had become satisfied that the sound
money theory, as interpreted by John
Sherman and Secretary Carlise, was
the salvation of the country, and that
he could no longer subscribe to the
silver heresy; but, having been elected
by free silver constituency, upon q
free silver platform, he would vote for
the heresy. l did not hear him say it
l do not know that he did say it. Bnt
| know that it was reported all over my
declaration was made by him, and never
did I hear contradiction of it. III
that be true, then while the gentleman
may have the information that he says
about the position of The senators and
their votes on that question, be has no
''oharge' TO make against them.
Because If it be true, they voted for the
bill, believing 1t to be wrong, and that
following in the track of its passage
would come the injury they are re-
ported as prophesying, why should he
make charge against them, when
they are building what the gentleman
himself is reported everywhere as say
ing he would do himself
The people in Missouri are sturdy,
honest, braYe, deserving people. They
are in favor of what they are in favor
of at home or away from home. They
are not afraid 10 say what they are