The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-01
Bowling Green. Va, March 2S, lN9

Bowling Green. Va, March 2S, 1899.
To The Free Lance
| notice in today's issue of your
journal an item under the CAPTION
Caroline County Democratic Prlma-
ries " written over the monde plume
"Veritas. " The general trend OF the
item Is TO cast slur and an unjust in
situation ut those people OF Caroline
county who are favoring Democratic
nomination for the offices to be filled at
the election May %. 1893.
"Veritas" goes ahead criticising the
positions taken by the people. who are
now "vehemently demanding" prima-
ries. in 1887, 1891 and In 1898. | am
one who unalterably favor Democratic
nomination for the county offices
am not very familiar with the status OF
Caroline county politics prior to 1898,
as | was. up % that time, too young 70
keep up with the important interests OF
such affairs But | do know that in
1895 the majority Of the Democrats Of
the county favored Democratic nomi-
nations. but none were had, because
one Of the Democratic candidates for
off ce then had entered into an agree
ment with one OF the Republican office
holders of the county. agreeing to do
whatever was in his power to keep
down opposition against him Ga Re
publican If he in return would sup
mort him. The Democratic gentleman
who had entered into this agreement
was consulted by true Democrat con-
corning his announcing himself can.
didate for certain office against and
in opposition to the Republican Office
holder. But this Democratic gentle
man. true and loyal TO his agreement
with his Republican ally, advised his
! fellow. Democrat not TO think OF such a
thing, that it would inevitably result
in his political suicide. But Sheriff
| ellis political life is still thing OF
the present, happy, strong and OF splen'
| did spirits
| This is the first instance but not TIE
last. in my short experience and obser
vations of the political treachery Of tine
man who is so ingeniously opposing
Democratic nominations and who II
the same from which all such opposi
ton springs. | see him now snnounc
ing himself candidate for office, sub
iect to Democratic Nominating Con
yention. " | saw him in 1856 this II
a part of the horrors Of memory bolt
the National Democratic platform.
saw him then, the leading spirit in thu
county, opposing the National Demo
cratic ticket, with his span Of horses
| and fine carriage bedecked with yellow
ribbons, emblems Of gold standard
hauling speakers to his Grand Rally,
a Republican barbecue. 1t was incon
sistent with conscience TO co-operat
with Democratic action then, but now
with the same conscience and with tn
same heart and with the same minI
and with the same information, he will
submit to the voice Of Democratic
convention.
Now, Mr.. Veritas, will quote iron
your conclusion "Oh consistency
thou art jewel l will say in con
clusion. that don't know who is tn
accredited author of the item signe'
"Veritas " have only this to say
that it is a cowardly way OF decelyinl
the people, for if your name were give
it would in all probability. prevent tn
credulity which your misnomer carrie
with it, feel sure that ''Veritas
neither consistency nor a jewel, but
in my opinion, nudum pactum. nc
eligible to vote in the coming elections
Respectfully,
Richard G. Moncure.