The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-25
WHAT SHE SAID.
Mrs. Nation Writes of Her Nc
kinley Speech.
Insists She Did Not Make Bru-
tai Remarks Charged.
WHAT SHE DID SAY.
Claims That DistilIers Support
ed Mckinley Administration.
Believes Martyr President Was
Kindly Disposed Man.

= The State Journal has received the
following letter from Mrs. Carrie Ma
ton, dated Seneca Falls, N. Y, which
gives the first account of the anti
Mckinley speech delivered at Coney
Island which mas been received from
Mrs. Nation herself:
Through your columns I desire to
correct a broadcast falsehood which
has been believed by those who do not
personally know me, but to those who
do know me this lie will not be be-
lieved except by those who are willing
to take up a reproach against the poor
Carrie A. Nation who dares the powers
Of hell to save some poor soul. I would
certainly give evidence of insanity to
have made the remark that I wish Nc
Kinley would die or that He got what
he deserved. For a little bit of COM
mon sense would decide that 1 should
be inconstant to say such things even
if 1 thought them, which of course L
never did. IT'S strange how eager the
mass Of people are to believe an I'M
truth, while the truth, though oft re-
peated, makes no impression.
Il shall now tell about the matter
at Coney Island. Before this particular
evening speaking reporter said to
me: Mrs. Nation, won't you tell me
something about your opinion of Mr..
McKinley's administration? I said:
OF course viii, for my opinions are
always for the public. 1 said in the
course of my remarks: There are just
two crowds: one belong to, one do
not belong to; one Mr.. Mckinley be-
longs to, one ne does not belong to; but
1t has been my observance that all the
beer soaked distillers and saloon men
are his friends This is what caused
the kissing, and several-about four or
five, left; maybe more. said You can
hiss like the rest of the snakes, but it
is true This was said in the begin
faI1 NEn .
there and staid there, and the house
was full.
Someone threw two wads of paper at
me- picked up my Ratchet and shook
it at them. This caused a laugh, and
finished my speech without any inter
ruption, except at the close, Mr.. F'lyOn's
man, the manager of the park, stepped
to the front and said he was sorry
had said anything to reflect on McKin-
ley; that he hoped he would get well.
I never insinuated that hoped he
would die Indeed, it seems to me to
be a sad commentary on our good laws
that this depraVed murderer exists as
a part of a party in this government
which above all others offers a home to
the oppressed. 1 do not like the Repub-
lican administration. never have liked
the way the canteen question was
handled at Washington. Never could;
have from the beginning SO stated. AS
to Mr.. Mckinley, I believe him to have
been a kindly disposed man, a model
he loved, and when I made those re-
marks I thought him out of danger
had no idea he would die.
Ny friends in Kansas know how many
fa1sehoods the papers have retaled on
me. I am prepared for them, but this one
is one that l see has shocked the people
at large. / am now trying to locate the
paper that manu- featured this libel, and
may be able to manufacture an inmate of
the penitentiary, try hard to do So
I spoke after at the SteeplechaSe park,
and the largest audience ever had there
was the last one
Anyone cutting from the papers this
falsehood and sending it to me viii Oblge
me.
Z am we'll; am more than pleased with
the people of the east, especially in Can
ada: the people are so enthusiastic
long to return to my Kansas skies and
friends. AS yet 1 have not been able to
pay the debts I owe there. have dates |
up to the middle of October; then hope
to return. tbs with a thrill of joy and
pardonable pride that read of jointless
Topeka I still say that the city of To- |
peka. for its size, is one of the lOVel1eSt. |
cleanest and most desirable to live in of
any have ever seen, so far as my knoWl- |
edge goes. God bless our Kansas. our |
little ship that amid danger |
Gus breakers, has never stranded As |
travel. persons come to me and with a |
countenance of pleasure say: j am from |
Kansas or I have been IN Kansas
do hope that the time will come that good !
people who think will learn the difference |
between the true and the false Your low |
ssCARRTE A NATION"