Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1896-07-09

consideration. I have not sought to
mount on the ladder OF detraction. /
have not sought to promote my can
didacy by attempting to bring my
competitors into disrepute. I have
preferred to stand or fall on my own
merits, whatever they may be, great
or small. I regret that all others have
not been content to pursue similar
course.
But, although shall not attack, no
one can blame me if defend. Some
of my opponents, or their friends,
have been busy in their efforts to con-
vince the people that am not an ora
tor. There is no need of those gem
tlemen wasting their energies in this
direction. On an occasion Senator
Merritt, of Illinois, was candidate
for a State nomination, and while
pressing his claims upon certain gen.
tlemen, declared that he should be
nominated for the reason that he was
the most popular man in the State.
Someone asked him how he could
prove that. "Prove it9n he said,
"Why,I don't have to prove it. l ad-
NIT it." So my friends need not
trouble themselves to prove that 1 am
not an orator. / admit it.
No, gentlemen, am not an orator,
at least not such an orator as any of
my distinguished competitors. My
name will not stand in history along
with those of Demosthenes and David
Ball, Webster and Waddill, or Ham
iIton and Hockaday. cannot hope
to reach a fame so exalted as that.
But in my simple, old-fashioned,
Cooper county way, Will endeavor to
take care of myself and the old DEM
ocratic party whenever and wherever
/ may be called upon to do so.
Besides, if you nominate me, will
not Ball and Hockaday and Waddill
take the stump? True, they did not
take the stump when the fight was on
between the bimetallic and single
standard forces in this State; true,
their eloquent lips were silent when
they should have thundered; but now,
when they say orators will be so much
in need, will they not rally to the
standard, no matter whose hands may
hold it? And if they should enter the
field, pray what would any man have
| to fear?
Then they say am not handsome,
fine looking, of commanding personal
mien and aspect. Yes, my fellow cit
izens, even so grave and serious a
charge as this is leveled against me,
and am sorry to say that l must ad-
NIT that, too. Sam Jones told my
wife once that 1 was not a double
faced man; sfor," said he, sif Lon had
another face he wouldn't wear that
mug around in public" No, 1 am not
a handsome man. am not an Adonis
like my friend, Dave Ball; am not an
Apollo like my friend, Judge Hocka-
day; nor have that Jove-like aspect
which distinguishes my friend, Major
Waddin. 1t is sad, very sad; but
can't help it. swear to you, my fei'
low citizens, / am not to blame for 1t.
Sam Jones was right-it is all the face
I have. But will you pardon me If
say that Mr.. Jones was also right
when he said am not a two-facec
man? / am not. What l am, am
/ despise Janus face.
| Then they say am banker. Wen
lin one sense that is true also. Al
though. not actively engaged in the
management of any bank, am vice.
Ipresident of a bank at Boonviile, which
was.practically founded.by my lament
ed father long years ago, and the
greater part of the stock of which II
still owned by his sons and daughters
And am proud to say that this banh
is recognized as one OF the safest and
most conservatively managed institu-
| tions in the State. 1t has stood un'
shaken amid the wreck and ruin o
Ieyery financial storm which has swep
1.-THE country since the day it was char
tered.
| Two years ago Gov. Stone was ask
| ed by the president of the Nationa
Bankers Association to appoint somt
tMissourian to deliver an address be
tfore that body on the banking system
tof the State and on financial subject
generally. I had the honor to be ap
Ipointed by the Governor to deiiye
that address, and before that associa
Etion assembled at Chicago l took tn
Eground I here take, upheld it a
strongly as / could, and declared tina
there would be no return of prosper
Eity in this country until free siive
coinage was restored. Ihave alway
Iheld to that position. / hold to It to
day. Yes, do own bank stock and
wish owned some more of the sam
kind.
i Another count in the indictmen
which has been made against me, an
(which has been repeated over tn