The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-09-13
GOV. W. ]. STONE
Missouri's Favoritc Son, Visits His Old
Home And Makes A Great
Speech.

are striving TO dlSorganlze ana
defeat our force here; we are watching
to see what reply you Kentucky Demo-
Gratis will make to the universal appeal
your brethren in all the other States are
you be brave and true
Will you show less of fealty and devo-
ton than we? i am not here to call in
question the motives of men; am
not here to indulge in vItuperatiOn or
harsh attack; but am justified in say
ing that when l am striving along with
Mr.. Woodson, your national committee
man, and all the members of that com
mittee, and with a number of other de-
voted Democrats throughout the coun-
try, to organize our party forces and
prepare for the mighty struggle of next
year; when We are going about the |
country at our own expense, sacrifiing |
our personal interests. and giving our
time and effort to the important work
Of party organization, we have a right
to expect the support and encourage
ment Of our party associates in every
State, and we have right to complain,
aye, bitterly complain, If we are fired
upon from the rear. Do you not think
so, my friends? 1 will not say that
mutiny is party treason, even when so
full of menance to party success as it is
here to-day; but 1 will say that it is so
unfortunate as to be almost inexcusable.
The acrimonious division in the ranks
OF Kentucky Democrats is the most
ominous cloud on the horizon of our
party to-day.
Gentlemen. l speak to you without
Partially or produce have 10 share
IN your local embroilments; have no
interest in the personal phases of the
contest here; but as Democrat from
another State, with some experience in
political affair and knowledge of pOliti-
cal situations, and one upon whom the
National Democracy has imposed some
measure of responsibility. / warn you
that if you care for party success in
/
ernor in November You may lose this
State in November and yet carry it the
following year, although to lose it in
November will make it a doubtful
State in 1900. Remember your exper-
fence in 1895 and 1896. Will you re-
peat that mistake? VIII you duplicate
that folly? Will you place your State
in Republican hands again this year and
thus give your enemy a powerful adj
vange over you when greater issues are
at stake?
You may not quite concur in all am
saying of the future danger here and
the effect elsewhere of Democratic dis
aster; but whatever you may think of
the danger here tell you the effect of
defeat on other States, the close and
doubtful States, will be desperately
bad. ] do not care who is Governor Of
Kentucky, if only he is a Democrat. l
have no personal interest in Mr.. Goebel
or Mr.. Brown. / do not know Gov. Brown
and 1 never saw Mr.. GOebel but once,
and that was after his nomination.
Therefore when l urge the Democrats
of Kentucky, as 1 do, to support Mr..
Goebel's candacy am not influenced
by personal considerations. l speak
purely in the interest Of the Democratic
party without regard to men. And
do not hesitate to come from another
State to speak these words to Kentucky
Democrats, because the election is
national in political effect and there
fore vitality concerns the party through
out the Union, although otherwise it is
entirely local. Everyone knows that
either Goebel or Taylor will be elected.
There is no other possible alternative.
Goebel is a Democrat and the nominee
of his party convention; Taylor is a
Republican and the nominee of his par
ty' convention. One of these will be
the next Governor Of Kentucky. Look
ing at the future, looking to the politi-
cal effect of this election on the country,
looking to 1900, how can any loyal
Democrat hesitate as to his duty?
Why, gentlemen, if there be any among
you who have personal antipathy or OBJ
lection to Mr.. Goebel. then put Goebel
and Taylor aside and look at Bryan and
Mckinley as they rise to view little
way beyond. That is the picture L see /;
that is the contest to which 1 am look
ing. am not here TO discuss your local
squabbles. 1 know but little about
them, although l will say that the
ostensible cause of quarrel between you,
as they reach us in other States, il not
trivial, ara at least not of great impor-
lance
All of us noted with regret the
acrimony which characterized the
Louisville convention. / knew Gen,
Hardin and Capt. Stone personally, and
knew Mr.. Goebel by reputation. 1
hal watched with at least passing in
terest the contest between them prior
to the convention, and knowing some
thing of the fighting quality OF Ken
tuckians, was not much surprised at
the tropical temperature which pre-
vailed at the convention. I was sure
before the convention met that who
ever won would go away fully con-
WINGED that he had had fight. But l
was also sure, from my knowledge Of
the men, that the interests and welfare
of the old Commonwealth would be
faithfully guarded by the victor, who
ever he might be. 1t is time now, I
think, to let the tide of passion ebb
anc the hot blood cool. 1t is time now
to turn our faces to the future and ask
what onr duty is to party and to coun-
try. know but little of the so-called
Goebel election law, about which so
much is being said in Republican news
papers. This much at least is true. as
I understand it, that it was passed over
Gov. Bradley's veto by a Democratic
Legislature The Democratic party,
therefore, is responsible for it. If it is
a bad law let it be repealed. II it is a
bad law, is it not better to let a Demo
cratic Legislature repeal it than to give
a Republican Administration chance
to enforce it? have heard. also, that
some good people object to Goebel be-
cause the Courier-Journal supports him.
In truth the sins OF the COurier-Jour-