Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-21
DAVIS DECLINES AN HONOR.
VIII Not Accept the Position of the
Republican Leader In
Missouri.

Forsyth, No., March 20.-(Special) In con-
nection with a set of resolutions recently
adopted by a mass meeting OF Republican
voters Of Taney county, in this city, calling
upon Webster Davis TO accept the leader
ship of the Republican party in Missouri.
Mr.. Davis has replied in letter to the
committee. declinig the honor. The letter
from Mr.. Davis follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of copy of certain resolutions adopt
ed at a mass meeting of Taney county Re
publicans. at Forsyth. Mo-, on January 3.
1898. bearing your signatures as the COM
mittee to whom was designated the duty
of forwarding same to me.
In the resolutions l notice that I am
called upon to present myself as candi-
date for the leadership of the Republican
party OF Missouri without regard to fac
tions-in other words, that the Republican
party of Taney county is tired of factional
contention within the ranks of the party,
and wants me to assume the leadership. III
the hope that all factional lines will be
obiiterated in the future.
For this manifestation of friendship I
am, indeed. profoundly grateful. and cher
ish very dearly the confidence imposed in
me by the loyal Republicans of Taney coun-
ty Mo-: but. under no circumstances what
sponsble position of a leader of the Re-
publican forces in the state of Missouri.
l have no inclination TO do so. nor would
I be capable, if I SO desired. l am per-
fectly content to remain in the ranks, in
the future, as in the past. as an humble
private doing all that is possible to assist
in upholding the banner of the Republican
party.
I'VE are, indeed, fortunate in having, to-
day, a national Republican administration
that is patriotic. steadfast and true. Pres
ident Mckinley. representing as he does,
the great Republican party with all its
glorious history and splendid achievements.
is doing all he can to bring prosperity and
peace again to this country, and as loyal
Republicans We ought to stand up as one
man in his support and strengthen him In
his noble endeavorS.
Every true Republican in the state is
sick and tired of the continuous factlonal
wrangling among Missouri Republcans,an and
the time is near at hand, in my Judgment.
for US to make it clear that We Republic
ans of Missouri want a united party.
clean party. a party OF the people, not q
party of bosses. For my part, i never had
much use for a political boss. anyway,
out false lights to allure and deceive the
tempest-tosSed mariners on the sea, so do
these bosses allure and deceive the peo-
pie by their false and empty promises.
ITO be sure We want leaders-able. clean
and true; for without good leaders great
victories are impossible: but We want as
leaders men who are willing to consult the
party as to policies and principles. and as
TO the proper conduct of the party organi-
zation. We don't want as leaders men who
ignore all the party but themselves. and
regard their associates simply as nonentities.
Men amount to but little. anyway-indeed.
men may come and men may go. but the
Republican party goes on forever.
L shall not soon. If ever, be candidate
for any position in Missouri l am IN no
mans way who may have worthy aspira-
tons 1 am not seeking to build up a
machine for myself. My only political am
bition is to be permitted to live to see the
old Republican party OF my beloved state
of Missouri rise from the shadowy vale of
contention and strife and slime OF factions.
with mud stains washed away and with
clean raiment. with joyful heart. sparkling
ewes and radiant brow, walking along the
sunny highway of a brighter future, with
the patriotic songs of the Union upon
her lips and holding in her hand spotiess
banner emblazoned with the magic word
victory.
TO yourselves and to all other Repub-
licans in Taney county who participated in
the mass meeting. l return my sincere
thanks for the very great compliment paid
me on that occasion.