Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1896-08-20
Vol. XXXVIII.

THE Mexico LEDGER would like for
everyone of its Democratic readers
who has any idea of not voting the
Democratic ticket to read closely the
following letter from General Jo Shell
by's half brother to the General:
LEXINGTON, KY, Aug. 14.-The
venerable Howard H. Gratz, half
brother of the intrepid Confederate
General 10 Shelby, and who conduct
ed large business with the General
in st. Louis just prior to the war, has
the following to say regarding the
boiling Democrats who are trying to
get up third ticket:
'The grave mistake those gentle
men are making is in leaving their
party and giving aid and comfort to
the Republicans-the worst political
organization that ever ruled and ruin
ed country. They are shining as the
secessionists sinred in 1850, when they
deserted the great Democratic party,
left their seats in Congress when the
Democrats had control of both Houses,
and turned the country over to the
Abolitionists and began to organize
military resistance-to what? Not an
overt act had up to that time been
committed against the legal and con-
stitutional rights of the South, nor
could one have been taken If these
recalcitrant patriots had not forsaken
their duties and deserted those who
had reposed confidence in them. A
graver case of political infideIity has
never been exhibited in this wide
world of ours. And what were the
consequences? War and desolation
and unnumbered woes. No one ex-
cuses or justifies the action of the
secessionists of 1860, not even the
most unreconstructed rebel who fol-
lowed Lee and Beauregard. 1t was a
faulty and a folly and blunder,
amounting to great crime.
''In the conduct of these honest
money Democrats history is but re-
peating itself, and they are acting pre-
clsely as the secessionists acted in
1860, and although it may not lead to
war and sectional strife, it will lead to
the force bill and other legislation by
which large section of the country
will be disfranchised. l was a seces-
sionist in go, and have deplored and
lamented my error in sackcloth and
ashes and cannot be led into like err
ror again. The wisest men in the
Democratic party in 1860 pleaded with
the secessionists with tears in their
eyes not to desert them, and predict
ed the calamities that would come up
on the country if it's control was turn
ed over to the fanatics that were
thirsting for the blood of Shareholders
and all Southern people. And their
worst fears were more than realized.
"And now l beg those who are
thinking OF seeding from the Demo
cratic party in this year of 1896 not to
weaken the hands of their political
brethren and strengthen the ranks oi
a party still as vindictive as when led
by old Thad Stevens or Ben Butler.
1t is in sorrow and not in anger that
plead. And for what have these latest
phase of secessionists become anger
ed? A money question; the lowest
motive that should influence men OF
thought and feeling. Money is good
thing, but not the summus bonus of
human life; and what is life? Gorge
it as you will with money, if other
blessings are denied, as they most
surely will be if the Republican party
is again brought into power, and your
money Is as dust under your feet.
know whereof I speak, and the OBJ
servation of a long life justifies my
prophecy"