The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-06-18
Danger Ahead.
EDITOR ISTELLIeENCER.

1t is one Of the boasts Of the de.
mocracy that it has no secrets. There
is no private chamber where the
councils Of the party are held; but,
being the party Of the people, its dis
cussions of public questions are open,
and the humbleSt member is entitled
to the fullest information on every
point OF party policy and management.
Yea, the whole world may hear and
know all that it does aud proposes
to do.
II there is anything concealed, II
there is hidden motive, if there is
something aimed at that is not fully
expressed, then whatever is concealed,
or hidden, or disguised, is not demo-
cratic.
Therefore no apology is offered for
\ this writing, in which it is attempted
" discuss some questions which seem
ASA the writer to be of vital interest to
IiN party; nor even for the intrusion
\buh his views on the public notice, for
9tsch these questions the humblest has a
ReNght to speak and the truth and
ESgaptness Of what is presented shall be
its only justification.
In discussing the nomination Of
state officers, which is now the over
shadowing topic, there crops out a
spirit, or intention, or design, on the
part Of some, that seems to me to be
full Of danger-seems to threaten the
defeat of the party in Missouri, and
crown glorious party record with
lnglOriOus rout and humiliation.
The editorials Of the St. Republic
OF late, especially in the issues of
Monday and Tuesday OF this week,
shadow forth this danger. The
ostensible design Of the articles 10
ques tion is to defeat Messrs. Cook
and Allen for denomination for the
Offices now held by them.
This is very unusual conduct for
that paper. Indeed it is a rare one
for any paper. When a metropolitan
paper pursues such course, especially
one usually so very nnncoumittal on
this subject as the Republic, there
must be deep and controlling motive
for it.
The Republic admits, or asserts
rather, that both Of / hese gentlemen
are honest and compe tent, and good,
loyal democrats, but still 1t u quaii
edly opposes their mlnatton, not IL
order to nom nate better men. but
strictly to defeat them
| think it proper to say bers, that
do not advocate The nomination Of
either of these gentlemen, but am
referring to the peculiar attitude Of
the Republic in their cases in order
to make more plain the matter t
n which most seriously object; and
have chosen the Republics editorials
"a for subjects Of comment because il
is the most prominent and Influential
mouthpiece of those who are advoca
ting course of action by the de no
cratic state convention that in m!
opinion is wrong in principle, foolisl
In contrivance and sure to end il
disaster: and because the editorial
referred to indicate most plainl
what is intended.
The contention is that the whim
of certain classes should be given th
greatest consideration in making ou
nominations; that certain classes q
voters will be offended II we do no
make our nominations to suit them
and will not give them their support
that everything must be done i
accordance with a certain MissouT
Idea, whose definition is left to til
Imagination.
When we have analysed the matte
we find that these classes are soft
shell republicans, mugwuwps, an
political odds and ends, who are sur
posed to exist In vast numbers some
where, who have been hidden out a
Of these years, and VIII come to ligh
on election day.
Now what l object to is giving an
IN consideration to any other class {
people but genuine democrats
lfnaklng democratic nominations, {
formulating democratic platforms.
1A the nominees Of the democratic COZ
n N yention, which meets in Jeffersc
Oity July 10th, are elected, they wi