Mexico Missouri message., 1903-08-20
F0lk'S PALMYRA SPEECH.
EightThousand Persons in Crowd
Addressed by
ST.LOuSPOPULAR CIRCUIT ATTORNEY
Tells Them That Issue Between
Good and Bad Government
Is Clearly Defined.

Joseph w. Folk, circuit attorney Of
St Louis and Senator Francis M. Cock
rell were the principal speakers Of the
day at the meeting under the auspices
of the Confederate Monument Associa-
ton Of Palmyra on Saturday, August
Is. Folk for Governor" was the key
note Of the meeting, and was expressed
by the buttons and badges worn by
thousands, and in the greetings given
abe circuit attorney as the next gov
ernor ;"
Mr.. Folks declaration, II am a dem
ocrat," was the most vigorously APP
plauded of any in the day.
Mr. Folks speech lasted for an hour
and half and was as follows
You have asked me to talk to you on
good government, but before we enter
into that subject it is well to call to
mind the purpose of the monument as
sociation under whose auspices this
meeting is held. This occasion marks |
the beginning of movement to fit |
tingly honor ten bravo Missourians |
who met their death during the civil |
war near this beautiful little city
They gave up their lives courageously |
on that mellow October day Al years
ago. The proposed monument is to do
homage to the dead, noC % stir up the
embers Of bitter past The people of
all times have honored their heroic
men with memorials ami monuments
aud it is entirely appropriate that the
memory of those who died for the
hi 1. 4
be kept alive in this manner. Thirty
nine years have gone by since the star
Of the confederacy. set at Appomat-
tox, and the ragged followers of lost
cause with sad hear s returned to
ruined and desolate HON ss The BRAY
cry of confederate soldiers on field of
battle has never been SURPASSED in the
annals of the world, bul as great as
was this, the sublime courage with
which after the war was over, they
took up the duties of Civic life, has
been the admiration of all mankind. 1t
takes as much courage tp face life as
il does to face death, and the confed-
crate soldiers showed 10th kinds OF
courage in the highest deeree
The evening bells of lie are tolling
for the survivors of thai fierce con-
fiict and one by one they are being
laid to rest in their last camping
ground In the soft twilight of time
the annlmosities of former years have
subsidized; the fires of hatred kindled by
that strife are dead, and from the
ashes has arisen the red rose Of pa
triotism that blooms to-day for unit
ed country The deeds of those who
wore the gray and those who wore the
blue are now common heritage of a
great nation. To-day some are ex-con-
federates, some are ex-federals, all are
Americans. The soldiers of Lee and
the soldiers of Grant can not commend
the good on both sides, and unjustifa-
-.e acts on either side can find no
honest defenders
The position of Missouri in that en-
counter was one of armed neutrality. .
Some who live here could agree with
the farmer who resided in the vicinity
Of Culpepper, Va, whose possessions
lay in district where both Union and
confederate soldiers foraged. The old
fellow one day surveyed the streaks ia
lac soil where his fences once stood,
and remarked with much feeling: II
haven't took no sides in this yer war,
but I'll be logged il both sides amt
took me-"
The confederates and federals both
fought for good government according
to the conception of each. They con-
tended for the same principles viewed
from different standpoints. In the bat
tie now being waged in Missouri
against public evils, they should all be
on one side. Missouri has been In the
front Ia many great movements, and
to-day she is leading in the fight for
good government being made all over
this land Of ours The Missouri COM
promise" was at one time an import
ant political issue. This contest can
have no compromise with public plum
derer5. The Missouri "idea," which
other states might follow, is unrelent-
ing exposure and punishment OF OH
eial thieves, and that public once must
be held for public good and not for
private gain
II band Of thieves had come to ST.
Louis and looted the city there would
have been great CONSERVATION. The
city was plundered for years by thieves
70 constituencies as to make Ali Baba's
gang seem tame. These did not swoop
down on the city and capture It by
force and arms They were given
charge Of the municipal aaaira BY the
people who elected these pilferers to-
be the makers of laws for them, In
state Affairs unfaithful public servants
have betrayed their trusts and prosti-
tuted their positions TO seandaloas
extent They have made a commodity
OF legislation, and passed or defeated
bills for their own gain not for public
good Instead Of public Office being a
public trust to some II WAS a private
snap. They have outraged every sense
Of honor, honesty. and decency and
lave insolently haunted their corrup-