The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-02-18
William loci Stone.


OF one OF the most remarkable polit
zeal battles ever fought In this or 10
any other state. No man was eve
opposed more bitterly or triumphed
against more tremendous odds. The
feud began way back yonder In 1895
when as governor he called u special
session of she Legislature 80 pass
tellow-servant bill and 80 suppress
an arrogant lobby which had boldly
sought 80 hold up bills during the
earlier part Of his administration.
From that day 80 this he has had
the undying enmity OF certain power.
ful interests, led by men whose names
need not be mentioned TO snyon
passingly familiar with Missouri
politics. For years he has had the
bitter hatred Of every metropolitan
newspaper in the state which has
bounded his footsteps day and night
with "reminiscences which makes
the persecution OF Jean Val Jean by
the blood hound Javert, dwindle In.
to the commonplace. When Gov.
Folk announced his candidacy
against him Tor the Senate, these
various questions seized upon his
unquestioned popularity with a
large contingent Of the Democratic
party, made common cause with the
so-called reform element and formed
"A community OF opposing interests
which might well have made she
heart OF the strongest quake with
fear. That Stone should have sri,
umphed over such obstacles IL n ire
mendous compliment to his hold up.
on his party as we'll as magnificent
tribute TO his wonderful political re-
source. Everywhere the odds were
against him. His opponent, himself,
no novice in politics, controlled the
big police machines In the large cities
which dictated the appointment of
the judges and clerks felection-and
back of him were coterie OF shrewd
men who knew how to handle such
instruments to the best advantage.
But whatever misgivings the grim
old fighter may have nursed In his
own bosom, he never wavered or fal
tered outwardly. With the dash and
abandon OF u courtier OF old he bid
defiance to all corners and from the
time the battle opened to the time It
closed, few hamlets there were In the
state which did not look upon his
tall, militant form, which did
not thrill at his g | que n c:e
and vince at his satire, which did
not look with admiration upon his
Indian visaged conference.-the
finest cameo ever carved out OF hui
man iace-giving no quarter TO his
enemies and asking none In return,
claiming no perfection over other
men and making no apology for a
single public act. And when the bal
lots were counted on that Hateful No.
vember night 1t was found shat he
had won-not merely In st. Louis
and Kansas City but In such old
Democratic strongholds as Boone
Howard, Monroe, Galloway, LaFay'
cite, Clay, Randolph, Saline and a
score OF Others that have been the
citadel OF Democracy from the day
OF the carpetbaggers to this. And
you ask why?-s!mply because the
things they have been saying about
him are lies-iust plain, malicious
poisonous lies. We're this not true
he could not have survived for the
axiom that murder will out" still
holds good. No dishonest or corrupt
man could win victory after victory
for a quarter OF q century. Then too
back OF him we're an army OF fighters
who know how to fight. You coulC
find them at every crossroads-rer
who don't wear long hair, men who
love the Democratic party because
of the principles II stands for and
who admire Stone because OF the
enemies he has made.
So here's to the intrepid old hero
OF many a hard.iought battle whose
shield bears thousand dents and
scars received In party conhlct-tc
the invincible old Cardinal Richilier
OF the Missouri Democracy And
here permit Us to venture.this proph
ecy-that II bis health doesn't isi
him, be will give to bis common
wealth six years Of the most power
full and brilliant service IL has evel
had In the upper branch Of congress
and pYOya hia RIGHT In Tho mantle nj