The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-13
Speeches by Gen. Simon Bolivar Buck
ner and Col. w.. Ii. BeIknap, Cam
didatc for Governor.
FORMER FIERY AS OF OLD
MODERN DEMOCRACY As ExEMPLI-
FLED IN KENTUCKY SCORED.
Glad He Is n "FOrmer Democrat" and
Not Implicated in the Persecu-
tiOn of Republicans.

MUNFORDVILLE, Ky, Sept. Fin the
presence of several thousand people the Re-
publican State campaign was opened here
to-day by Col. Morris b. Belknap, candidate
for Governor. The party leaders were in
attendance and other candidates on the
State ticket delivered short addresses. Spe-
cial trains brought large crowds from near
by cities. Colonel Belknap's speech dealt
mainly with the pardon record of Governor
Beckham, which, he asserted, was in the
main responsible for the lawless conditions
prevailing in Breathitt and other counties.
He dealt also with the memorable Goebel-
Taylor contest and cited alleged perversions
of the electoral machinery by the Demo-
Gratis.
Mr.. Belknap was introduced by Gen. ST.
mon Bolivar Buckner, former Governor of
Kentucky and nominee for the vice presi-
dency by the Gold Democrats in 1896. Gen.
Buckner said:
II have been styled "a former Democrat
By this is doubtless meant a Democrat like
those whe in former days embraced the
political doctrines of Jefferson, of Jackson,
of Tilden and Cleveland. They were the
former Democrats who believed that in a
republic there should be equal rights TO all,
and exclusive privileges TO none; not as
with modern Democrats that there should
be exclusive privileges to the self-constituted
oligarchy of machine politicians and a de-
NAL of all rights to the masses of the peo-
pie.
" Former Democrats who believed that
the chief duty of the head OF the state was
TO see that the laws were faithfully exc
cuted--not, as with modern Democrats, that
it was his PROVING. to nullify the laws by
turning loose upon the community convicted
gamblers, murdererS and rapiStS to resume
their nefarious avocations.
Former Democrats who believed that
in trials before courts of justice evidence
should be adduced without temptations OF
reward or threats of punishment, not as
with modern Democrats, who have appro-
priated 800, 900 Of the peoples substance as
blood money for the encouragement of per-
jury, and for the better comprising the
judicial murder of political adversaries.
Former Democrats who cherished
sound principles of public policy and could
defend them with .coGent reasons; not MOD
ern Democrats. whose only logic In de,
Tense OF their devious ways is a coarse and
indecent vituperation OF those who would
not, like themselves, discard the principles
of their party and, in the hope or personal
advancement, betray the best interests OF
their country.
II am one of those former Democrats
who believe in the right of the people to
govern themselves; who, in the words OF
a distinguished orator, loves his party too
well to be willing that ii should betray
his country and whose confession or po-
litical faith may be found in the Demo-
cratic platform of principles promulgated
at indianapolis in 1896. 1t is because L am
such a Democrat that / am here to-day at
the opening of a political contest which is
of vital interest to every citizen OF the
commonwealth"
Colonel Belknap, in the course of his
speech, said:
1.-The dramatic and tragic panorama of
political events i'm our State for four years
is one from which we instinctively turn
away. 1t is heavy tragedy with the slime OF
untruth clinging to its garments. Repulsive
and reeking with the foul atmosphere of
dungeons it displays a body prostituted TO
perjury and fraud"
Breathitt county pardons, Colonel Belknap
said: Perhaps Raleigh was innocent of
having voted any other than the Democratic
ticket. Raleigh was the man convicted of
killing a little girl in Breathitt county and
who was pardoned by Mr.. Beckham. Your
Governor by pardoning this miscreant has
shown that he thinks the brute who would
improperly accost' your daughters and then
shoot them like dogs was ht after a few
years punishment to enjoy the full privi-
legeS of citizenship.
1.-THE table of pardons granted during the
last three administrations and submitted to
the public by the Governor in defense of his
record is an interesting one, although con-
spicuously incomplete. Still 1T shows that
at least 1,125 convicts have been set free
in eleven years. Those paroled and not
counted would easily carry the number TO
1900.
MIR. Beckham has asked me in the event
of my election IL / would pardon Howard
or Powers or either of them. In answer in
the words of Lord Coke: When the case
happens I shall do that which shall be fit
for n judge TO do.
Turning to the trials of the alleged assas-
sins of Goebel. Colonel Belknap declared:
The trials that have been so far con-
Quoted with partisan juries and ~perjured
testimony leave justice unsatisfied. No such
travesties can fool the mass of the intelli-
gent people and once again they demand
that facts. which they have reason to be-
lieve are being concealed for political pur-
poses, and which are vital 10 the truth in
this case, be divulged."