Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-08-12
PROM TIE FREE TRADER. i.
TO MAJOR B. W. EDWARDS,

/ Of Citation, Kinds CoHRig.-.N6E Candidate
| for The GubtraaiorioI Char Of the Slate Of
.nississippi;
| Sir: On Friday last, the 2lst instant we met
BY accident simultaneously, at the post-oiiice in
Naichez, where for the first time we saw your
address to the people of Mississippi, dated Chm
ton, July 18th, 1887.
| This document, emanating from respectable
citizen aspirIngto the highest Office in the gift OF
the people, naturally addressed our attention, and
soon became the subject of general remark; but
IA order TO deliberate more fully upon it, as well
as to refleSh ourselves, without separating, we a
greed TO retire TO Parker's Hotel, and give it, in
all IT'S parts, an attentive and respectful perlsal
With view TO oarown future action on the dny
OF election, at the ballol-box. Mr. Parker An
bis usual polite manner, fui nishcd US private
room, and the luxury oil a well-iced, high-hayored
glass oil punch for each person. Thus prepared
for cool dellbeTation, one of Us read your address
to the others in an audible manner, without hcs-
tahon a. interruption, until he came TO that para
graph containing the following words--"l am not
Il tavorlte with the Wirs workers Of my party
Wien It was simultaneously expressed, these
words we cannot comprehend; but after concIu-
again for himself, our minds became impressed
with beilet that it contained charge against tue
whole democratic party in the State Of Mississip-
pl' as toierating aud fostering among themselves,
tor some uEhailo~cd purpose unknown 10 "a.
few individuals who could raise up or pu, down
whom they pleased, without being themselves
publicly known. or that there existed in the dem
ocrntic p1rty aprvaie cabal, who desgncdly prac-
used on the Weakness and credulty of the great
body OF the party, for the same foul and unjust
purpose, and "lhat unfortunately you stand In
tho way OF their future views Of ambition" Ia
Ken ehhef way, as Il re- ards the pory IN general,
~ as II regards individuals, these are serious char.
ges, and II true, deserve the seyerest Reproduction
that an hones, hlsh-n,Inded people can nnct.
The whole letter and spirit OF our Official insttu-
ions were expressly formed for the purpose Of
applying exac, and equal justice to ii'dnouals; TO
oppose Inonopolles TO guard against mnguos
ana eabels OF every kind. But, sir we trust you
me sensible, condemnation cannot follow accusa-
Ton without positive proof Of guilt. The rRocF,
The uhole PROOF IN this case, at This time, hos up
on you, AS accuser--as one directly Interested
as an honest meaher OF the democratic party, de.
srous to reform It's errors, andcxpose its concea-
ed enenles--and as patriot careful and trem-
blmgly alive 10 the sacredness of the elective
franchise, and determined 10 sustain its purity at
every AazZard. "Let the truth be told, il the sky
should fall" 1t is for honorable fr, emen 10
"speak the truih," boldly aud icar,essy, "hc
whole Truth, and nothing Lut the truth" II con-
. eealg "Hlfe-pofkefs' exist in the democratic
State, aud IN that time becoming SO prominent q
member Of the party as to be encouraged to be.
come a candidate for Congress, and now offering
on the strength of that party for the gubernatorla
char, they aud the means they uso to execute
+ their nelarious designs must DO fully known t'
you; and having, as you assert they have, "dc
teaed your former canvass before the people" !
becomes ImpeTatiyely your duty to expose them
to make their names and holr means known, SC
that charitable people may deal with them nc
cordng to the dictates Of sound discretion. Now
having made the charge, coucealInent on your
" part, wall be dishonorabe and even CRIMINAL; lo
= the charge, as it stands in your phraseology, con
:, POUNDS the innocent with the guilty; the homes
G man is liable 10 be placed in tho position of tn
dishonest man. Honest men ought not TO b.
placed in such an attitude by an honorable man
: For ourselves, we Will acknowledge, that, b
Il bare possibility, such wfeworkers az you so con
a fidently refer to, may have existed in the demo
9, cratic party; bu although most OF us have bee
upwards ottNeny-tye years, some ot us upward
Of ,hiry years residing withm this State, wilhou
Q having ever le,t II, ana some Of US born IN tn
+ State, ye thu IS the first time we nave heard .
- tci.e.tofkt1s IN the democratic party Of In
e state. But y0u have SAID it; and iakug you I
be an honorable man, and democrat sound an
uue, we viii chunably presume you arc able t
u prove it unit, reasonable time shall elapse
s show the contrary. For yourself, personally, "
entertain the klndest feelings; politically, our paI
- tlaIltles were strongly ~ your favor having u
voted for you when candidate for Congress
g Now. sir, touching the grave matters treated Of !
o your address, before we make up our minds 10
v to act delinitlvey, we have unanimously agree
"a to put the following queries to you, IN INC mo
respectful manner Of which we are capable atl
~ pray that you will answer them, publicly, al you
I'd earliest convenience, through any public pap'
'e you may select.
ID |. How long, within your knowledge, has
secret "wiRE-woRKERs" existed IN the dcnocr
lie pafty 0. The State Vt Mississippi
u q Who are these ''Ieire-lcorkers" Their name
IN places Of residence, and the ways and means the
v, used ''to defeat yonr former Canvass before Y
r.. people, and the Ways and means, you have sot
., reason 10 believe, they wIiI use against you
- me present occasion
ne 3. As an noloia0ie member Of the DO nocrai
party, wat honorable means, N your oPlnIo
should the dc critic party use on the prese
occasion 10 cou lefwork the "stcret Efforts"
those concealed wIIe- sorkers--these enemies
democracy III disguise
4. In national point Of view, what dlflerenC
!, if any, is there between the old "Bank OF the u
ted .ta,esn and "a new national Bank" such
w. you propose taking the words "United State
and the word "Nanonai," IN the sense used he
nh as synonymous terms!