The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-10-31

and file Of the Republican party is hon
est. Let them take all the interest
they please in Democracy. l should
like t. see every Republican in Mis-
souri, change his politics and vote the
Democratic ticket. The Democratic
lamp should always be burning and
any honest Republican who knocks at
the door Of the party should be gladly
welcomed. But no boodling Republt
can need apply; if he does / will be
n to cast a black ball against him.
We need all the votes we can get and
1t is folly to run them OFF. If the
Democratic ticket can get nc. Republi-
a votes and the Republican ticket
polls Democratic votes it does not
take a prophet to foresee disaster to
the party. Let US ask all decent and
honest citizens to join with us in the
fight against corruption, and the over
throw of wrong and the enthroning Of
right. The Democratic party is the
party Of honesty. Let us keep it so. 1t
has always been the party of good
government in the State. Let us see
that it continues to be. AS you love
your party may you defend 1t from
those who would debauch 1t for selfish
ends. The people-the Democrats.
who are so from principle, are now in
the saddle, and Democrats for revenue
only must take a back seat. The way
of right and justice must be followed
regardless Of immediate success. Let
us not forget the grave responsibility
resting upon the Democratic party and
let us look for guidance to the princi-
pies of true Democracy which, Are
enduring because they are right, and
invincible because they are just"
Paramount Issue.
The eradication of bribery is there
fore the paramount issue before the
people of Missouri. Let the Democra-
cy Of Missouri speak in thunder tones
upon this mighty issue. The result Of
the fight here will give encourage
ment and cheer to the law-abiding
everywhere, or discourage and de-
press. 1t is not a question who should
occupy this or that Office, who should
be Governor. If partial friends have
mentioned my name in that connec-
ton they agree with me that the In
terests of the public are above any
person. l believe in the honesty Of the
great masses. They are against cor
ruption. They believe in the perfec-
ton of the government established by
the fathers. Our splendid educational
system has spread amongst them an
intelligence of the advantages Of the
political organization under which we
live. Their love of country and Of
party is beyond question. Let any
danger arise from foreign aggression
and at a moments notice a million
sturdy hands will grasp the sabre and
the musket to defend the safety and
honor of the state and nation. And
that same spirit exists among the
people to protect the states safety
and honor from domestic foes. Our
greatest domestic foes are those who
would destroy by corrupt and criminal
methods the intent and spirit of u
institutions, deprive the people Of
their honest expression Of opinion at
the ballot box, thwart their efforts for
just and necessary legislation, impede
and vitiate the administration Of the
law, and poison the fountains Of jus
tice. The principal weapon Of these
domestic foes is bribery, which Is even
now beginning to be a serious menace
to the nation itself. It is not confined
to Missouri. Throughout the length
and breadth Of the land 1t exists. In
the prosperity OF the people and their
devotion to business interests they
have forgotten that eternal vigilance
is the price Of liberty" But they are
ready to fight these domestic foes, not
with bullets, but with ballots and the
law. There is al much patriotism in
the ballot as in the bullet. The people
are aroused to the condition of things.
They foresee the dangers ahead, un-
less bribery and corruption be stamp
ed out. They realize that 1t is not a
question Of this or that mans candi-
dacy, but one Of principle, the triumph
Of which is above all personal consid-
erations. Not alone in Missouri is the
patriotic spirit moving against the
powers Of evil such as we r fight
ing here. From Missouri the senti-
ment has spread throughout the land.
Other and important political issues
require consideration and solution,
but above all issues there stands pre-
eminent the issue of obtaining purity
and honesty In the making and admin
istering of law in every department Of
the government, municipal, state and
national.
Ny friends, it is no exaggeration to
say that the eyes of the world are On
Missouri, to see what the people here
are going to do ON this momentous
question. If this great state, with its
glorious history, with its memories Of
illustrious statesmen, who have added
lustre to the pages OF our country's
history, should shrink from the task,
then 1t might well be believed that the
decadence Of the public conscience
has hapun piif the naonIa NJ Miqaou.