Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-08-06


II never yet have found an official
who was ruined but that was a very
willing partner in the transaction.
"We have heard a good deal about
the statute of Limitations.
There is 20 statute Of limitations
against the prosecution Of crime un-
less the party who committed the
offense has been usually a resident with
in the State for three years subsequent
to the act.
"There is no way to ascertain
whether prosecution for bribery is
barred by Limitation until the facts
are developed, and there is no way to
find out the facts except by investiga-
tion.
"Is after the inquiry, 1t is found
that prosecution is barred, there may
at least be exposure, and exposure isa
very desirable thing.
1.-THE people are entitled to know
who the rascals are.
Those who complain most about
going behind the statute Of llmita-
lions can usually be found hiding be-
hind the statute themselves.
"No honest man fears investigation;
no dishonest man has any right to
complain Of 1t.
"If a mar has done nothing wrong
he cannot be hurt by exposure.
III he is Injured, his own deeds are
his doomsman, and he has only him
self TO blame"
In conclusion, Mr.. Folk said:
"My friends, l am not an alarmist
when | say that If these conditions
are permitted TO go on in city, State
and nation, then the death Of the
nation itself is but a question Of
time.
"Like the republics of old that at
tanned a pinnacle of greatness, and
we're undermined by corruption; ours
will follow the same course and have
the same historical record.
"Since the dawn OF creation, govern
ments innumerable have lived and
died; d~ynasties have decayed and
diadems crumbled.
Republics with as splendid pcs
sibilities as ours have existed and
tottered off the stage Of the world
into oblivion.
"They were undermined by the
same insidious corruption that
threatens us. win history repeat
itself?
"Where wars, pestilence, famlnes
and all other calamities combined
have destroyed one government, cor
ruption has destroyed a score. When
we behold, as in a vision, the nations
Of other days that rose, declined and
fell, we a e that inc thing they
lackedwas men-honest men.
"Without these governments must
moulder into dust; with these the
highest summit OF human achieve
ments may be attained.
mo grander, nobler opportunity
was ever given TO good people than
the fight now going on In Missouri
aeaint public evils.
at is a battle OF right against
wrong; Of the true against the false.
evil has been arrogant, but the
day Of reckoning has come"
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Immediately following the conclu-
sion OF the address resolutions we're
adopted indorsing the fight on Doodle.
The assent to them was voted with a
cheer. The resolutions are as follows:
"Whereas, the honest and fearless
discharge Of every duty by man is. the
highest ideal OF American citizenship;
and, whereas, corruption and dishones-
ty both In public and private life
should be and is condemned by every
American citizen; and, whereas, our
imperial commonwealth and its in
telligent people have been humlliated
by the corruption and dishonesty Of
men who have been entrusted with
Office and have administered such
Office for private gain rather than as
a public trust; and, whereas, Hon.
Joseph w. Folk, who vas recently
elected 10 the Office Of circuit attorney
OF st. Louis, since his election, has
discharged his duties TO the full ex-
tent OF the Law without fear or favor,
private, political or o%ficial, and has
become a TERROR 70 evIl-d0ers and an
ideal 10 every honest Missourian.
Therefore, be il resolved that the
Old Settlers Of Montgomery County,
in annual reunion assembly, d oindorse
his every action and encourage him In
his ~stupendous undertaking and we
tender him our undivided aid
and assistance In bis every undertake
ing TO promote the welfare OF our i'm
perial commonwealth and fully establ
llsh civic righteousness.n