The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1903-07-01
ASSASSINATION AND AssAss1.
NATION,

The bitter partisans of the Repub-
lican party in Kentucky who either
plainly enjoyed or tacitly endorsed the
assassination of VIM. Goebel, are just
now reaping the effect of their unfeel-
ing political rancor. The action Of
the leaders and the press Of the Re-
publican party Of the State at the
time Of Mr.. Geobel's murder, plainly
showed that they were glad Of the
event; glad Of the taking of Of DemOc.
Tacy's valiant warrior, even if it was
at the hands of an assassin. In fact,
evidence gradually accumulated, ad-
duced from Republican testimony,
which pointed unerringly to certain
Republican leaders and their cohorts
as being guilty OF completely in this
foul murder. And so the case stood
and so it still stands.
We have said, and we Ieiterate the
assertion, that we do not believe
the rank and file Of the Republican
party in Kentucky-the men who at
tend to their own business but who do
the vOting-were in any way RESPONSE
BILE for the death Of VIM. Goebel.
Neither do we believe they have en-
dorsed this foul deed. We may be
mistaken, and we confess we have
heard expressions from laymen in the
Republican party which sounded very
much like hearty endorsement of the
manner of Mr.. Goebel's taking
of, but we credit these to the
heat of political passion of the
moment. We still hope that the Re.
publican party Of Kentucky as it is
embodied in the great mass Of honest
workers and thinkers, are anxious to
eXculpate themselves from any posi-
bic connection with Mr. GOebel's MUIR
der or endorsement Of it.
But the leaders Of the Republican
party in KentuCky-the professional
politicians-what Of them? Have they
been stricken with remorse OF are
they still ranged on the side Of
pro-assassination from a political
standpoint? This question can best
be answered by rehearsing a little in
cldent which occurred at public re-
ceptlOn in Kentucky city recently.
One Of the speakers-a prominent
Republican-had expatiated at great
length upon the deplOrable condition
OF affairs in Breathitt county, and
condemned in unmeasured terms the
murder Of j. b. Marcum and the law
lessness which is alleged to have been
led by the Hargis factiOn-known
Democrats. Suddenly one of his aud
itors exclaimed "What OF VIM.
Goebel!" Turning to his questioner
with look Of scorn, he delivered him.
self OF few incongruOus and equivo-
cal remarks, which neither endorsed
nor condemned anybody or anything,
then shut up-fike clam, The incl
dent referred to occurred at the late
Commercial Convention in Louisville,
and the speaker was Hon, A. Il. viii.
son, a, candidate for the Republican
nomination for Governor Marcum
was Republicans; Goebcf was 4 Dem:
Ocrat. Can't you see?
The Republican leaders OF Ken.
lucky have been so strenuous in their
efforts TO enthuse their followers with
the spirit Of partisan hatred as ii
is exemplited in party zeal, that they
have placed their party in the atti,
tude of not only silence IN the GoebeI
affair but endorsing the fatal feature
OF IL, They have lent neither theiI
encouragement nor their assistance In
the efforts TO apprehend and convict
the men who took Mr.. Goebel's life
In fact, their best efforts have beer
spent in the opposite direction. They
have tried TO find an offset for thelI
unpopular attitude In the Breathitl
county troubles. But In this they
have signally failed. For, while The