Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1900-10-12

Inc speech Oh tue HUI. LEWIS NC
ouown, delivered at Brandenburg
Monday to large audience, was OF
special value as the first complete
summary that has been presented to
the voters of the law and facts bearing
upon the contest prosecuted at Frank
fort by the Democrats last winter for
the state offices. AS chief attorney for
Mr.. Goebel, Mr.. McQuown is better
qualified than anyone else to present
this review of the most important
chapter in Kentucky political history,
and he has done 1t thoroughly. The
voter who really wishes to understand
the merits of that contest will profit
from a careful reading of Mr.. Nc
Quown's speech, which is published In
full below. 1t refutes many misstate-
ments and viii correct many erro-
neous Impressions. Mr.. McQuown
said
An issue Of overshadowing import
ance confronts us and threatens our
national existence. We are face 70
face with the problem whether the ma
ton shall continue to exist as an en-
pire or a republic. The Republican
party stands for the empire. The ad-
ministration has abandoned the fun
damental principles upon which the
struggle for Independence was won by
our forefathers, and boldly adopted
the imperialism policy OF Engiano-
TERRITORY acquired and held in viola
tion of the supreme Law of the land
ia governed as England governs her
crown provinces. The spirit OF greed
dominates the Republican adminlstra-
tion in it's foreign policy. Lives ana
blood are freely given in exchange Ior
trade.
Our internal policy is likewise the
result of greed. The combinations OF
wealth and trade control the country.
and we are being ground between the
unDer and neither millstones. The
aafetv and welfare of the republic at
home and abroad demand a change In
thIs ruinous policy. But do not un-
darestimate the importance or these
national questions when say tnat IN
Kentucky there is local issue ol
greater interest, which presses LOT IN
mediate consideration and determlna-
ton at the polls in November. LeaV-
ing the national issues, l shall To-Day
speak Of tbs state issue alone
The Republican Platform.
The platform of principles adopted
by the Republican party Of Kentucky,
while protesting devotion to civil lib
erty. and the cause of honest elections,
with desperate Inconsistency approves
the lawless act of the bloodiest band
of conspirators who have ever held
mower in an American commonwealth.
These acts of infamy are described as
"efforts" for the preservation OF I'D
erLy and social order. and all good
citizens are invited to unite with THIS
party for the purpose Of furthertng
these objects.
BY way Of preface to this astound-
ing statement approving the action Oh
sTaylor and his co-ofhcials," 1T is de-
cIared, in the Republican. platform,
that officials elected by the people
have been denied their ofices
and that the city OF Louisville
and tho counties of Johnson, Ma
coffin and Martin have been de-
MED the right to participate In the
conduct of the government, and to ex-
press their choice Of officials at the
polls.
These charges, based upon igno-
rance of fact and law, are wilful per-
versions of both, have Afforded the Re
publican press and nominees for office
and it's campaign orators a text for
unreasoning denunciation and bitter
invectiVe. Those who are ignorant or
the law and the facts do not seek en-
lightenment, and those who possess
this knowledge join in the outcry for
partisan purposes. In this common
and indiscriminate abuse are included
the laws Of the commonwealth, the
general assembly itself, the courts,
the juries, the officers charged with
the execution OF the law, including
many of our most eminent and hon
ored citizens, and, in violation OF com
mon decency and the proprieties OF
life, the partisan press and orators
have descended to bitter personal
abuse Of the victim of Republican as
sassination, who sleeps in the historic
cemetery of Kentucky, where present.
ly a monument will be builded to tell,
IN deathless tones, the story OF his
life and death. The friend Of the peo-
pie, the foe of their enemies, his name
and fame safely guarded in their
hearts from the shaft OF partisan NAL
ice,
"He sleeps an iron sleep
Slain fighting for his country"
0ubernatorial Contest.
In view, however, Of this persistent
and misrepresentation,
sparing neither the living nor the
dead, It seems proper today, my fell
Iow-citizens, for a short time to view
the gubernatorial contest, and its de-
by the general assembly,
together with the law and facts upon
which its action was based.
PrIor to the act of March 10, 1898,
the governor, attorney general and
secretary of state, and the auditor, in
the absence Of either, were constituted
a board for examining the returns
of elections for governor and other
state officers. (Sec. 1872, Ky. Sta |