The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-01
SENATOR VEST ON
DEMOCRATIC AFFAIRS,
Believes Silver ShOald Not BE
Pressed-Would Make Bryan a
SenatOr-NOt ii Candidate.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Liberty. No.. Aug. 31.-The Advance here
publishes an, interesting letter from Sena-
tor George G. Vest to Judge William E.
Fowler. who recently wrote an article on
Democratic Missouri" in which he COM
plimented Vest and expressed the wish
thai he would be returned to the Senate.
The letter is as follows:
sweet Springs. No., Aug. q, lS01.-Hon-
orabie William E. Fowler. Liberty. NO.:
My Lear Judse-Yours received irclosins
clipping. for which accept my thanks. I
am more than grateful for the kind words
you nave written concerning myself and
am aiSp glad that you have not lost your
enthusiasm for Democratic principles nor
your faith in their success.
Missouri Is Democratic.
As you truthfully state in the article in
ciosea 10 me, Missouri is essentially a
democratic State and can only be lost by
WICKED and senseless dissensions In our
own ranks. When united the Democrats of
Missouri are invincible. but when divided
sncy y can lose battles, as have the best SOL
That the Republicans will make a desperate
eHort TO carry the General Assembly Of Mis-
souri, in 1897 in order to elect r. c. Kerens
the attempt will be an utter failure is cer-
tain. II we will only drop acrimonious divi-
SION on paSt issues and devote ourselves to
those wnich are alive and pressing upon us
Vest on Silver Question.
i may be mistaken. as l frequently am.
but 1t seems to me that the silver question
ought not TO be pressed in the next CAM
palsn The abnormal production uf gold
and the recent legislation by Con2ress 40
l,,,II 10 national banks: together with the enor-
NOUS balance OF trade in our favor, have
given US the largest per capita circulation
III the world. except that OF France. azld
while l have not surrendered one particle
cf my devotion to bimetallism, 1 think
changed conditions have for the time made
II unnecessary to divide the Democrefio
party on the question Of the free and n
limited coinage of silver at the ratio OF IS
to ], without the consent of other lations.
sooi General does not surrender when
ne ne changes mis- line of battle to meet a new
alignment on the part of the enemy, and
when causes beyond his control nave al.
tered the plans he has made for the cam
paign.
has ceased really TO be one. for the time nj
least IL simply idiocy. Some well-mean-
ing persons seem to think that any change
upon Colonel Bryan means an assault UPON
the Democratic party. This is a strange
mistake, and, in my judgment. utterly in
.I Am a BimetaIIist.-
u am mysef an earnest bimeta11ist and
viii always remain one. but I do not think
the test CT loyalty to the Democratic party
! have said in the kindest spirit Of Colonel
Bryan. because l thought it my duty to do
victory.
,. IT I could do so; I would put Colonel
to his country and party: his ability, cour-
age and honesty are unQuestionable, but
90 NOT think him great leader.
man may be an orator. lawyer and
statesman. yet not necessarily a great lead
er: Webster was. a conspicuous example
named. in the political history Of the Unit
ed States who have been great debaters
and wise legislators. but without any talent
Jefferson. Van Buren. lincoln and Nc
kinley have been the greatest political
leaders and managers In this country. and
Mr.. Mckinley h,s never had superior in
that regard.
Kindly Toward Bryan.
II have the kindest feeling for Colonel
campaigners this country has produced.
Like all Of us. he has made mistakes. and
think he is now mistaken in advising the
Democrats Of the United States to permit
ttonal Democratic Convention who is not in
favor Of the Chicago and Kansas City plat.
that the free coinage Of silver viii be made
leading issue. and It will drive away
from US thousands of good Democrats who
"As to what you have kindly said in re-
gard to my going back to the Senate. I
have only to state what have said public
ly and privately since 1886. that am not
a candidate for reelection and do not want
my name mentioned I'm that connection.
am deeply grateful! to the Democrats OF
Missouri for their confidence and Kindness
In the past. but I am not vain enough to
think that my reelection Is necessary TO
evince that gratitude. My health is i'm
proved. but Is not entirely restored. and
have come to that age when / need rest
and relief from the excitement and cares of
public life. Your friend, G. G. VEST"