The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-21
Blnokbnrrl,s slrange Course.

The longer the Kentucky campaign
continues the more complicated and pc
cuitar the circumstances surrounding it
become. We have a great deal about
the effect OF Bryan's visit, but the lat
est sensation. which presents subject
for discussion, Is the appearance OF
Ex-senator Joseph c. S. Blackburn as
a champion of Goebel and his moral
and political integrity. In certain re-
spects this is the most remarkable cir
cumstance of the whole campaign.
The fact that Blackburn IS a candi-
date for the United States senate again.
after quite long retirement. may be
regarded as Il political Justification for
his course, owing to his interests in the
campaign being associated with those
OF Goebel. but there is a bit OF moral
history which makes 1t hard to under
stand how it is that, Notwithstanding
this circumstance, Joe" Blackburn,
who has always been regarded as man
OF honor, can now go upon the rostrum
and speak in behalf of the election Of a
man for governor whom, to use the
language of the New York Sun. which
is Mortified at the idea, he Denounced
not five years ago as a murderer and
threatened with vengeance which it
should be his life's mission to CEN
sure"
1t may be recalled that at the time
81 a famous tragedy at Covlngton, KY.
a little more than four years ago,
Blackburn stood over the coffin OF the
victim, who was Colonel John L. San
ford, and. with all his dramatic elo-
quence, delivered this solemn utterance:
John Sanford was TO me Ike a
brother. loved him. hope God may
spare me. and shall make 1t my lIfe's
mission to avenge him by burying his
slayer in the depths of merited public
execration."
This solemn pledge, made beside the
body of his murdered friend. was wide
ly quoted at the time. and now is being
recalled with terrible force. in view Of
Blackburn engaging In the support Of
Goebel, from the fact that the man who
took the life Of Colonel Sanford and
against whom that vow Of vengeance
was made, was william GoebeI him
self. The Sun briefly summarizes the
circumstances as follows:
Five years ago the lawyer and the vet
Gran Confederate soldier had bitter
quarrel. One day they met on the street
and Sanford was shot dead. According
TO the evidence OF GOebel's trial San
ford mad been the first TO draw his pts-
toll, and the slayer was acquitted on the
ground OF self-defense The friends OF
Colonel Sanford. however, have always
held that the provocation came from
6oebei. and that the bIood-gulltiness Is on
Goebel's head. Among those friends was
Senator Blackburn. when he prayed God
to grant him life long enough to aNenEe
Sanford by burylnE GOebel In "the depths
Of public exeeFadoR."
Is It not strange that so soon after
thesolemnvow made by the coffin of his
friend. Blackburn is taking such a
method of keeping 1t? Last week. dur
ing speech made at point in Ken
lucky. the ex-senator used these words:
"Goebei stands before the Democracy
OF Kentucky a worthy leader OF the
cause" A worthy leader" in 1888; an
oath to make It a life's mission to bury
him in the depths of public execration
In 1895 And this is Kentucky politics
on the side OF the Democracy this year.