The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-09-25
PURE DEMOCRACY.
A Jeffersonlan Democrat that Wants
Leader.



MOUNTAIN CITY, TENN, Sept. %, 1890,
EDITOR COMET;
After having waited patiently for the action
of the Democratic Congressional Executive
Committee In which l had the utmost conf
denee and believing that II would call con-
ventlon in due time and give US candidate
from our own party--a man Of our own choice,
a man whose sympathies are in harmony with
our own man who would unfurl to the great
and glorious old Democracy that proud banner
under which we have so often gall ntly fought
and gained SO many glorious victories, and at n
| time when our cause seem I'd to be gaining
ground, when victory seemed to beam on every
conntenance and hope inspired every Demo-
cratic breast, But alas! where do find myself?
Look at that meeting which met at Norris
town on the 18th inst. Democrats, what has 1t
said to you? What did 1t resolve?
"No Democrat nor any one claiming to be
such, should become a candidate in this Con-
gressional district"
In my younger days read something in polit-
ical history called the "Gag Law" What have
we now got? Democrats, are you ready and pre-
pared to drink the bitter cup? Are you going to
quietly stand and have the GAG placed in your
mouth without a murmur? Have you given
the matter thought? What has beguiled us?
Has the witch of Endor" been in our camp
II so, what is to be your reward? Upon what
terms have you agreed to take an asp in YOU
bosom2 Can anyone answer?
| hereby make the request OF all good anC
true Democrats Answer your own conscience
do not understand in what current am drift
: ing. feel that am at sea without pilot; OF
a ship without rudder.
Democrats where ARE we drifting? DO not tn,
waters seem chilly? What are we to gain IL w
+ willingly submit to the gag2 Where is tn
, Doodle? Shall close my eyes and rush blindl
/, into the Republican camp The party who's
principlesI have fought with all my ability 70
! forty years-a party that has shown by its las
/ acts in Congress its avOwed purpose to place
yoke upon us, nolOnly crippling every industr
of our beloved State, but take from usthe libel
= ty of expressing our will at the ballot.box.
I can not go into detail and give my views
. this short letter, only wish to call your after
ton to the condition OF affairs as they now stan
5 and in which we are left by that committC
that met at Morristown.
1t is claimed by some that this is an off YET
y and there is no pie to be given us or handed OIL
under this administration. My - has 1t con
to this? Have we no higher aims than a fe
little paltry gifts OF Office, such as crossroad
n appointments. What a thought! What an arg
mentl To what aspirations we have aspire
And after all this how much better off will Il
10 party be two years from now, after we ha'
i. been turned over to the Republicans and full
disorganized and have lost our identity? W
u we be well equipped to go into battle ty
le years from now with party to which we ha
,e surrendered all our arms and ammunitio
Yes, we will go to those whom we have 81
cored and receive the merited greeting-DepG
y, We workers of Democracy, never knew you.
e. thrust that large majority of the Democrf
of this district will not submit to such state
- affairs. l warn you now that there is trout
" ahead.
I'd With these views briefly expressed, and WI
IN all due respect to the committee which plac
US in this position, still claim the right to b.
IN Democrat, and to vote for a Democrat. Belt
es ing that all true Democrats will endorse
i, position, hereby announce myself as a can
date for Congress on the Democratic ticket.
10 Respectfully,
~ p. NJ. KIsER