Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1904-09-08
REPUBLICAN, NOMINEE FOR REP
REsENTATIvE OF SHELBY
STATES HIS POSITION.
BE is WILLING 10 WITHDRAW
The Shelby County Preacher, Al
though Republican, Declares
That He Will support the
Democratic Nominee For
the Governorship.


Legislature by the Republicans Of
Shelly county, has prepared an address
to the public, in which he states that
while he is Republican and believes
in the tenets OF that party, be is first
of all and above all Folk man, and
will cast his vote for Mr. Folk for Gov
eruor
lie offers TO withdraw from The Re-
publican ticket in his county II his
attitude is not approved by the Re-
publican Leaders
His letter in full Is as follows:
To the Republican voters of Shelby
county, Missouri: Eellow-Republi-
cans Your county convention In
Shelby county saw fit to honor me
with the nomination for Representa-
tive. 1t was not Of my seeking was
not even at the convention, and was
much surprised when the news came
to me Of your action. | am not poll
tieian, have no AK to grind and seek
no pleas a citizen in the ranks, my
desire is simply for pure government
and the public good In State and
nation.
BY education and conviction am a
Republican me the Republican
party is the party Of living and VIC
torious issues. In every crisis in our
history,at home or abroad, the Repub-
lican party has possessed the courage
and the craftsmanship needful to
bring to a successful issue the prob
lens OF the hour.
1t invites to no graveyard Of dead
issues-it stands for splendid solidity
with present and living issues, and has
its face ever towards even greater
future.
But have always been openly and
above board an independent Republic
can yoter-never voted straight
ticket in my life. I have deep and
abiding faith in men,
There are times when man stands
as an issue in himself. Such is my
belief In the present campaign for
Governor In Missouri Mr.. Folk stands
for an issue which he made.
The means employed to blacken the
name of Mr.. Folk need not surprise
anyone. The dust and dirt and mud
in the air was to be expected. Think
for a moment OF the Doodle element In
Missouri in both parties, its long lease
of fentrenchcdlift itshatred for the man
who exposed 1t; 4, ak OF its money and
all its vicious connections, and when
you think these don't let the roar Of
accusations, partly prejudice, and hate
! ful, malicious denunciation, turn your
mind from the true issue, doodle. I"
This corrupt element In Missouri
politics would turn earth and hell to
beat the man who exposed them.
All during Folks campaign / stated
my intention Of voting for him, not
because he was Democrat or was not
a Democrat, but because he made the
issue, has shown his courage as an In
pendent man, who dared to do bis duty.
Eolk is of the true Roosevelt
stripe. He does things and has the
courage Of his convictions. Now,
please understand, my position has
never been a secret, as my friends,
both Republican and Democratic, in
Shelbina, can testify.
Now, at this time, certain we'll
meaning, good Republicans come and
take me to task for my position, some
have come courteously and some with
a knife up their sleeve. In this mat
ter allow me to say have respect for
your opinion, and shall say nothing
mean about you and will not scalp you
II you vote for Walbridge and Roose-
velt. but l have respect also for my
own opinion IL l see fit to vote for
Folk and Roosevelt. No coercion or
dIctation shall change my ballot in
November--it shall be cast as my in.
telligence and conscience prompts.
If, at that time, Mr.. Folk stands
proven unworthy as a man, | shall
vote against him, but SO far he is only
under suspicion and that, too, from a
very suspicious source.
| My friends, it Is this straight
ticket nonsence that protects the po-
4 litical scoundrel and ever bars reform.
1t is to-day the most damning and
pernicious doctrine against the public
good in any party code. 1t is ever the
enemy of the righteous cause and the
refuge Of that class Of men who have
not manhood and character sufficient
to commend them.
| God give us the day when the voter
shall first say, lam man" Now,
my fellow-Republicans, understand, II
my position is not satisfactory and
your county central committee will 50
state l will withdraw my name from
, the ticket. So, with malice towards
none, with charity for all, with firm.
ness in the right as God has given us
to see the right, let US strive on In the
work we are in.r
Respectfully yours,
]. II. WooD.