that there are many brands of friendship
existing these days which had not birth in our time. For instance: A
number of men have visited me in the prison, and assured me of their
interest in a pardon, etc. They have talked so eloquently and earnestly
that I thought I was fortunate to enlist the sympathies and aid of such
splendid men. After the first or second visit I was informed as gently as
possible that a price was attached to this friendship; how much would I
give them for indorsing or signing a petition for a pardon? I remember
how I glared at them, how my pulse almost ceased beating, at such demands.
What injustice to the public to petition a man out of prison for a price!
If a man can not come out of prison on his merits, let him remain there.
I hold, too, that if there is honor among thieves there should be among
politicians and pretentious citizens. I hate a liar and a false man. I
hate a hypocrite, a man whose word to his friend is not as good as gold.

My friends, there is just one thing I will say in my own defense if you
will so far indulge me. I do not believe in doing under the cover of
darkness that which will not bear the light of day. During my career of
outlawing I rode into town under the glare of the noonday sun, and all men
knew my mission. Corporations of every color had just cause to despise me
then. But no man can accuse me of prowling about at night, nor of ever
having robbed an individual, or the honest poor. In our time a man's word
was equal to his oath, and seldom did a man break faith when he had once
pledged himself to another.

What I say to you, fellow citizens, I say not in idle boast, but from the
soul of a man who reverences truth in all its simplicity. Think of it--a
price for a man's proffered friendship. On my soul, I do not even now
comprehend so monstrous a proposition, and, believe me, even the
unfortunate creatures about me in prison looked more like men than your
respectable citizens and professional men with a price for their
friendship.

I should like to say something to the ladies who have honored me with
their presence. But as I have been a bachelor all my life I scarcely know
what to say. I do know, though, that they are the divine creatures of a
divine Creator; I do know that they are the high priestesses of this land;
and, too, I say, God could not be everywhere, so He made woman. One
almost needs the lantern of a Diogenes in this progressive age to f