The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-13
A POLITICAL TRAGEDY.
A Story of Political vengence and 1t. Sad
Results

1
democratic party in this county. de-
clded upon the downfall of r. Shaw
| VAN. In order to do this various can
dldates were brought out against him
and finally their choice fell upon Col.
Geo L. Wright as the tool by which to
reek their vengeance. Although it was
not generally known, the members of
his family felt that he was not strong
enough to stand the excitement of a
campaign, but he was over persuaded
and, aided by his influence, Shaw Van
was defeated.
After the election the weight of the
responsibility rested heavily upon the
Co!onel's shoulders. The REVIEW
sharply criticised the raise of salary
asked for by him and granted by the
board. He appealed to the Bulletin to
support and d frnd him. but in vain
and this, with the apparent apathy Of
those who should have befliended
him caused him to brood until his mind
became unsettled
AS long as the REVIEW had reason to
believe that it was criticising man in
full possession of his mental powers. a
man able to defend and take care of
hlmself, we fell free to treat him as we
Wou any other political opponent
whom we felt had done that which was
not for the public good. AS soon, how
ever, as it was intimated to us that
Col. Wright was of unsound mind all
criticisms ceased and from that day to
this not one word of adverse comment
has appeared in the columns OF the RE-
VIEW We are willing to take our
chances in political warfare with foe
man who is h rnself equipped for the
battle, but God forbid that we should
ever pursue any man whose reason is
deihroned. To contest with an able
opponent is legitimate but to attack
man when he is down, when the hand
OF misfortune rests heavily upon him,
is mean and cowardly thing.
These facts-that Colonel Wright
was not in sound mind-were perfectly
well known to this gang of political
assassins, and one would have thought
they would have hesitated before en-
terlng the house of misfortune with
their pitiful political plots, one would
have thought that the sacredness OF 4
wlfe's and daughters agony would
have said to them, thus shalt thou
go and no farther" But no, no grief
was too sacred, no sorrow too complete.
heir political fortunes must be fur
thered at the expense of wife's tears
and protests. The tottering intellect
might be driven entirely from its
throne but their plots must thrive.
This was their plan, Colonel Wright
although admittedly of unsound mind
was to qualify for the office, not to hold
1t, they knew he could not, but in order
that he might resign and thus create
vacancy to be filled by one of their
henchmen. This was the plot, plot
urged by frequent visits to the house
OF sorrow. A plot pushed with all the
vigor of deep laid scheme. A bond
was prepared. they signed it, signed it
knowing that the man whose official
bond it was, was not of sound mind.
They went to the house and urged, en-
treated, yes even demanded and threat
ened. Can you imagine the scene?
On one hand is the crafty, cool, politl-
clan pursuing his course with demonia-
Cal persistency. in his hand is the offi
cial bond. With pitiless cruelty ne
urges the poor, half dazed man before
MIN to stultify himself, to take the
oath OF an Office he knows himself unfit
to ill. He means, Take me away.
take me away, IT l do not qualify they
will kill me-" The wife stands there.
tears are in her eyes, but the courage
OF conviction ID in her face, she will no
longer allow her husband to be made a
TOOL of their political chicanery. 1t
would seem that the load of sorrow
were already great enough but she
must in addition TO caring for her help
less helpmate, defend him against these
crafty and designing men. She has de-
lermlned at any cost to preserve her
husbands honor.
The politician is disappointed and
angered, u woman's will has thwarted
his designs. The victim of his relent-
less activity is taken away far from the
scene Of political conflict, and one
would think that he might at last be
allowed to go IN peace.
But it is not enough, the newspaper
controlled body and soul by these de-
sgning politicians, pursues him still.
Although all The other newspapers re-
strained by proper sense OF decency,
and respect for the unfortunate, pass
the matter over as lightly as possible,
the Bulletin is the first to boldly blazon
to the world the fact that this man is
insane. And coupled with this i it ,llabeIs
him an migrate.