Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-02-25
THE PEOPLE WILL RESENT IT.

~ - RA4A9Aa 1AAf EGuEunNN H. AHlas
It has always been awell defined and
accepted fact by all fairminded men
that an Individual who lie wanting in
the highest virtues Of the broadest
phrase of manhood, fairness, gratitude,
and square dealing In his relations with
those among whom he dwells, is not
such an individual as may be safest, II
placed In an important public position.
Some times the change Of environments
has to do with bunting the better in
stincts and broader virtues Of q man,
while in other instances, these qualities
are organic, and only await contact
with treachery to kindle them into q
burning blaze.
These reflections are suggested by
the recent announcement, by wife from
Washington, through the newspaper
bureau at jackson, which furnishes to
the metropolitan papers outside Of our
state the news of Mississippi, of Hon. A.
F. Fox. ofWest Point, as q candidate for
Governor. No gentleman, Of course,
is prohibited by law, to become a can
didate at any time he may see proper,
for any Office; but, men who aspire to
the higher stations in public life, may
reach a position, by their own Yolun.
teer acts, which will place them sub
jectto suspicion, by brushing aside obli-
cations which ought to be most near to
every honest mans heart; nearer even
than that Of attaining an election TO the
highest position within the gift Of the
people.
Mr.. Fox, who is the present member
Of congress from this district, Is a gen.
tleman who has long enjoyed the
esteem and confidence Of the public.
he is an able gentleman. Of that dar.
ing, dashing type Of the modern day
politician known in u common par
lance as a tinker, "and with frontice-
piece personality naturally calculated
to impress those Of us who are in the
modest walks of the social and political
portion of the public audience, that he
is a ''great man." His present posi-
ton, however, repels this delusion. No
great man, that is no mans name has
ever been inscribed upon the dials
which are enduring In this or any other
country, whose heart permits him to
become an migrate; who, In short, will
attempt to sacrifice one who has be-
friended him, in the hope Of personal
Advancement.
If we are to be charitable in the
premises. and there is no delusion in
the oft repeated story, that to rub
against the natural side of things at the
National capital, units, too often, the
very best Of men for any Of the better
associates of their former lives, we
might refrain from suggesting that this
late announcement Of Mr.. Fox is Insan-
ity rather than ingratitude. A good
many men, after a few weeks Of Wash.
ington life, for some reason, seem to
grow 90 much, to become 90 accustom-
cd to surroundings to which they have
before been strangers. that they view
former relations and former obligations
as Of naught. That is, they become
politicians Of the so-called adroit type,
and bask IN the binding sunshine Of
their own Importance to such an extent
that the rights Of others become too
secondary v for q moment consid-
GRAFTON. Especially is this most like
ly to be the development in one whose
lies study is upon the basis that char
acter is a minor considerations to success,
politically.
Mr.. Fox and Judge Critz are resi-
dents Of the same little city, West Point.
For three months past, the latter gem
tleman has been making a vigorous
canvass for the gubernatorial nomina-
ton. he has practically covered the
state with his open handed, manly,
\ dignihed campaign. Everywhere his
| candidacy has been received by the
people with encore.
Before Judge Ortiz entered the race,
as 3 candidate, he was fully assured
BY Mr.. Fox that that gentleman
l would not be a candidate for Governor
and that no home complications would
arise. The people Of West Point, with
out q descending voice, entered into
the patriotic work Of doing everything
In their power to secure the nomination
Of their honOred townsmsn.
But the ways Of the scheming polit-
clan are often beyond the calculations
Of honest men. The people Of Missis.
kippi are well aware that there is q
very close organization at the state
capital, which has the sanction Of the
5pressnt state administration, and which
Is directed and practically bossed by
pie Edgar 8. Wilson, United States
Marshal. appointed by President
Roosevelt. Wilson Is also the head
and blue pencil wielder Of that which