Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-11-30

0lN Southern would be politicians
~ ~GgBA Never has this been more vividly
&fI5c cIlDsS illustrated than in the press COM
MASSSN ments Of a few shyster papers which
IA 0ST9lSSSSS the past few days have been trying
E5llS51OnS to traduce the chief executive OF
Mississippi in the hope Of currying little favor
with the spectacular President
This paper is not the organ Of Governor Vardaman
Of any other man nor Of any party, nor dOes il
make this comment in the deluson that the Govern
er is in need Of defender he is amply able to
take care of himself. We did what we could in our
humble way little more than year ago to secure
the election of Mr.. Vardaman as Governor, without
the hope wish OF fee reward for three reasons
First because believed him absolutely honest !;
second, because we felt he was thoroughly capable
to discharge the duties Of the high office; third be-
cause we knew that he had the courage OF his con-
vtctions and would never hesitate to cOurageously
resent any insult to his state or its people, no mat
ter from what source that insult night come. We
have never had any to regret the efforts put
forth either of these grounds nor from any other.
After his election willing to let him be the
Governor, and not much Of our space has been given
to him during his first year in Office.
Tt will be recalled that his election was resisted
by every means, fair or foul, by the metropolitan
press shOwering down upon this state, and by the
pie hunting sheets in the state, headed by the two
imbeoile excuses at Jackson called the News and
Clarion Ledger Since the election the sycophants
behind these papers who opposed him so bitterly,
and bit the dust at the nish have sought by every
means known to the cunning trucker, to gain the
Governors ear and to geta stand in with bis admin
istratiOn. He has scarcely moved but boquet has
been tossed at him. It has been gratifying to note
that the Governor has had the manhood to ignore
the dirty gang absolutely. It was but natural to
expect that if they could not stand in with the Gov
ernOr they would soon open the vials OF wrath upon
him, and the expectation has not been unrewarded.
So clean has been the Governors administration, so
open and fair his every day acts impartial in his
endeavOr to redeem his pledge that he would be the
Governor Of all the people, yet the whole Governor,
that these contemplate pie hunters have found IL
difficult 20 find any basis for adverse criticism OF
bin. Bot the long hoped for opportunity arrived
this week, as these hungry wolves saw it, and very
quickly did they jump into the breech. Right here
we want to make the prediction that it is Governor
Vardaman who has scored the triumph 10 th hearts
Of the people Of Mississippi, and that ere long his
traduceTs will be sneaking away, the towards that
they, trying to hide from the dignifed wrath sent
down upon their shameful heads.
But to the issue under discussion Governor
Francis trucker to President Roosevelt, who was
visiting his fair at St. Louis wired to Governor
VardamaD to tell him that the President had visited
the Mississippi building and admired It, adding that
he, the President said he glad to knOto that Ms
sissippi had made an exhibit That such a statement
from the President was intended as an insult to the
state and executive there can be no question Gov.
Vardaman this and replied to the telegram, in
chaste but clear language showing that he resented
the affrOnt to his state. As a man. who adores the
memories OF the South and feels keenly the disad-
Vantages under which it struggles at the hands Of
such a Dreiudiced President, Governor Vardaman
would have been a coward, unworthy Of any ones
respect, If he had responded other than he did. In
all honesty we feel that his response was mild, and
despite all the adverse criticism heaped upon him
by his mics, feel that when the real milk In
the cOcoanut is made clear to the honest masses Of
the state instead Of the attempt TO iniure him hav
ing the desired effect that his action will be endOr
sed most enthusiastically.
The Memphis dailies which opposed Vardaman's
election bitterly, OF eonrse have been used by the
gang OF graiters at Jackson dominated and directed
by an appOintee Of President Roosevelt, Edgar s.
Wilson, who owns the News and bosses at bis own
sweet will the Clarion Ledger whose editor is too
idi0c to anything decent, II be thinks there is
chance to get into q pull for q dollar. The two
Jackson papers with a trumpet blast aud a few hum
dFed readers each out in in6amatOry editorials
both probably written by Wilson, the Presidents
referee for the stae and these editorials wired
to the Memphis papers with much gustO
But mind the prediction. Governor Vardaman is
bigger and brainier, and wiser and stronger than al
these tWobyfOur knockers, and in the final analysis
the indignation ol the state will send bis tTaducers,
! one and all. into the Junk niIe.