Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-08-06


subject of "Good Government" on
Saturday, August 1, and despite the
Jnclemency of the weather not one
of the thousands in range of his
voice moved away until the speech
was finished.
Mr.. Folk showed himself to be inn
pmensely popular with the people OF
Montgomery county and those from
sneighboring counties who came over
80 hear him speak, judging from the
favorable comment heard on all sides
latter his speech,
We give Mr.. Folks speech verba-
'tim:
1t was with much pleasure found
,myself able to accept the invitation
HIo be present here to-day and address
fthe old settlers of Montgomery and
surrounding counties. The subject
.Df good government is evidently not
snew in Montgomery county, for l
aearn the first public building erect
I'D here was a Jail and the next
courthouse. 1t seems that the order
should have been reversed, but take
lit punishment for crime was switter
rim Missouri in those days than now.
The old settlers of the county evil
sIiently believed in enforcement of the
Aaw, for the first criminal case tried
sin the new courthouse was that Of p
young man charged with stealing his
asweetheart's shoes. What he wanted
with her shoes the record does no.
ssay. Anyway, he was convicted and
10 hnnR-
fetal was the example to other evil
sdoers of like character that the crime
has not been repeated in the county
,since-at least there has been no one
else indicted for the offense. Serious
Nv, though, when / read of this case
lin the history of the county l could
snot help but imagine what those peo-
pie would have done to the latter-daY
vboodlers who clean out whole munich
,pal larders and plumber the people of
an entire state.
The early settlers who developed
the great west were sturdy and hon
-est race. They were the immediate
descendants of the founders of the
republic and were imbued with the
sspirit of their forefathers.
They realized the value of the gov
ornamental heritage, vouchsafed ID
them by the heroic efforts of the men
fof the revolution. They were patriot
tic and believed in the stability of
their government. Honorable and
great men were their trusted leaders
whom they loved, almost revered. The
charge of dishonesty on the part of
those intrusted with power or place
was rarely if ever heard. Men
sstrived in the pathway of laudable
ambition for the respect, honor and
confidence it brought them in the es-
feem of their fellowmen. Though
there were differences of opinion ON
important questions of public policy,
;nnd on matters of that kind, partisan
sship often ran high ,peculation in pub
tiic Office was practically unknown. As
times progressed this faith in the
Shonesty of public servants among the
great masses continued. They were
soblivious to the sowing of the seeds
iund the gradual development of cor
Eruption. Especially was this true of
Tthe rural district; for after all,it must
Nbe admitted that the germs of cor
ruption have begun in the pODulous
Scenters. At length, the unpleasant
truth dawned and the knowledge
tspread that corruption had entered
into the sacred precincts of municipal
government. That places of honor
sand trust were being made the ave-
lnues for venality and were being dis
fgracefully prostituted for criminal
purposes.
The revelations startled all good
lpeOpIe, yet the belief was general
athat these conditions were confined
aO the cities. Another awakening
took place, and the voice of con-
defamation arose throughout the
estate. InvestigatiOn revealed tho
uEact that corruption had spread it-
.cAneerOus growth 90 the cOuntryI
shat some of the most trusted and
respected Representatives had for
tgOtten their high commission and
lbecame involved In the meshes OF
agreed. This was astounding 20 the
people OF a great state, who had
gbeen taught 10 believe in the I'm
vteRFltx OF those In Onielal positions,
Honest blood Is Royal Blood.
Missouri is grand state and
ypeopled by noble men and women
Nowhere is honesty held in higher re
sgard in the hearts Of the people, Here
honest blood is royal blood, and man.
hood is the only patent of nobility
The title of Missouri citizen Is a
proud one, but 1t carries with II re
responsibilities as well as privileges
Zach citizen owes a political duty tc
his state, as well as financial Civic
obligations are as morally binding as
taxes, and he who avoids them Is NJ
better than the tax dodger. Indeed
the chief responsibility of citizenship
is the duty Of taking part in the Sc