Mexico Missouri message., 1903-10-29

~ " AootinBS NuSI hlBneBL oe-
sire is to soothe the people into false
sense Of security so that they may
have further opportunity for plumber.
Ing. There is nothing the boodIer
fears 80 much as an aroused public
conscience. The boodlers are strong
their ramlhcations are startling: their
influence in both political parties is
great. They are we'll entrenched and
are fighting desperately for their DO
litical lives. but with the manhood
Of the Democratic party united in patrl.
otto endeavor, they will be routed and
overwhelmed. There are some pessi-
mists who believe the corruptionists
will control the Democratic party. l
do not believe It. When one goes
over the state and sees the Missouri
Democrat in his daily life of sturdy
honesty and recognizes his sterling
character, built on the rock of princl-
pie, transmitted to him by his fathers,
all doubts must disappear, for with
that reservoir OF virtue to draw from
the result of the fight for good gov
eminent cannot be in doubt.
AZ TO the eoVernorship.
A great deal has been said about
the governorship of Missouri. This
is an honor that any man might we'll
covet and no man refuse. have been
asked as to my position in reference to
the mentioning Of my name for that
high office. To you, my friends, l
have no hesitancy In saying that IL my
party, in the exercise of it's partially,
sees at to name me for that place, l
should be recreant to my duty were
to do otherwise than accept. l do not
claim to have done anything to en-
title me to this distinction. Nor would
take 1t as a reward for my humble
endeavors to bring about a better
condition in municipal and state af-
fairs. have, in the place OF trust
assigned to me, tried to do my duty
under my oath OF Office to my city and
to my state. How well have sue
ceeded l cannot say, but / have done
my best, and, after all, the most that
any man can do in public and private
life Is to do his best. / want no com
pensation for doing my duty other than
the approval of the people. The gov
ernorship offers tremendous oppor-
tunities for the accomplishment of
public good, yet IL the party bestows
that honor upon another, / shall not
complain, and shall give him my loyal
support. There are many honest men
in the Democratic party, many more
worthy than l Of this distinction. At
this critical period in the history of
our party and the state, no mans am
bition should be considered, but the
"a af the party and public should
Be kept Ia view Individuals are
OF but passing moment; principles are
Immortal The question is not what
any Individual wants. but what the
people want. The individuals men
toned in this connection will soon
pass away, but the effect of what the
people of Missouri do in this crisis will
go laundering down the ages and
have its influence for good or evil
on coming generations.
There is one thing certain, that If
knew l could get the governorship
by compromising with the forces Of
evil, and that without this l could not
get it, l would not have it. l had
rather-a thousand times rather-re-
tire to private life, conscious of having
been true to my conception Of public
duty, than to have the greatest office
in the land by being false to my better
nature. There is more honor in honest
private life than In high official po-
sition gained by sacrifice of principle.
So, there you have what really
think on this question, ask you, my
friends, to believe that this is all there
is of it; all that is. selfish, mean.
The faith Of my friends-and by my
friends l mean those whose hands /
have never shaken, as well as those
have--is all / have to go on. ask
you to believe. in my sincerity, because,
whatever the outcome may be, l want
to keep that.
l viii not resign the ONCE / have
been assigned to for the purpose of
eIectioneering for another, neither will
l neglect the duties of that office, go.
ing around seeking a higher position.
OF necessity, my time win be 80 occu-
pied with official work yet unfinished
but which | hope to have completed
early next year, that l will have little
opportunity to make speeches over the
state. At such times as the public
service will permit, l shall be glad to
express my views on public questions
to my fellow citizens.
In the discharge of my duties as
Circuit Attorney OF st. Louis have
had the support and assistance Of
honest men OF all parties and OF re