Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1902-11-18
STRIFE THREATENED.

=
the strenuous editorials of the Louis
VILE Post, the chief champion Of
Governor Beckham in the state.
The News Democrat will regret
greatly to see the young governor
take such a mistaken step.
The recent election has demon
strated that Kentucky Democrats
are once more united. Dissension
has vanished and there are no
family feuds to lose elections and
de- troy party ties. The bitterness
of the past which arrayed Demo
crat against Democrat has gone,
and goodwill has taken its place.
Kentucky has been completely re-
deemed, and a great object lesson
laugh the party. In union there is
strength, is an adage bottomed on
eternal truth. But now we are
threatened with a repetition of the
struggle which cost the state and
party so much in the past. A very
large number of most excellent
Democrats do not believe that Gov.
ernor Beckham is eligible TO BE-
come governor again. If Governor
Beckham should succeed in obtain
ing the nomination through the eff
forts Of the strong machine he has
built up, it will mean turmoil and
strife and party confusion for
months, perhaps year, after the
election. The matter of his eligibil-
| ity must ultimately be tested by the
supreme court of the United States.
And in the meantime Kentucky will
suffer
Viewed from our standpoint, there
is at least very grave doubt as to
Beckham's eligibility to hold the
Office, But the rancor of his sup
porters, and their intolerance of
any opposition in this early stage
of the campaign, argues very i'll for
party welfare. The Lexington
Democrat and the Louisville Post
are both bitter in their warfare
against all who oppose their candi-
date. There is yet nothing to eX-
cite animosity, excepting that many
Democrats have done a little think
ing for themselves. If the beginning
is 10 this spirit, what may we ex-
pect of the end Of the campaign
The Lexington Democrat refers to
some Of the best lawyers il Ken
lucky as crossroads attorneys,
and continues this strain through.
out a long article. These gentle
men had committed the heinous
crime of thinking Beckham ineligi-
BILE for office.
The candidacy of Governor Beck
ham for reelection means a renewal
OF the strife and bitterness from
which the party has just passed.
And speaking for the masses OF the
party, we hardly think the results
will justify such an expense. For
it will be expensive. It will cost the
Democrats of Kentucky much that
the past year has gained for them.
The virulence and violence Of Gov
ernor Beckham's advocates now
certainly foreshadows a contest
which will most probably again
split the party, and fill the entire
state with turmoil, strife and con.
fusion.
There is remedy from this state
of affairs, and we believe the sober
good sense of the Democratic masses
will seize upon it in time to avert
the great and ma nifest danger of
the situation. That remedy is to
select another man as a candidate.
Governor Beckham has a strong of
fce.holding ring backing him up,
but we believe the Democracy of
the state will not permit ring rule,
nor encourage the up-building of an
ofice-holding autocracy. The duty
of the party, we think is very plain.
It should absolutely refuse to turn
backward from its present state of
unity and harmony, and should put
every obstacle to continued peace
out of its path. But, first of all, a
damper ought to be put on all who
are beginning mud-slinging in
Beckham's interest at this state of
the game. --P aducah News-Demo-
crat.