The Russellville Democrat., 1890-03-20
A PATRIOTIC LETTER.
Col. Fishback's Reasons for De- clfning to Become Can-
 diiate fOr Governor,


 Ever since the term of the Gov ernor was reduced to the short period of two years, it has been an unbroken custom until it has become an unwritten law of our party to give the Governor two terms. Would it be patriotic in me2 would it be wise in the party to break this usage or even to attempt it?
 I can say, and conscientiously say, that Tn my judgement, never before In the history of our country have It's institutions been in such immi- nent danger from the ccntralizing tendencies of the dominant party (so powerfully aided by prejudices handed down from the late war; as at the present moEent.
 Never before was the success of the Democratic paray so imperative ly demanded. I resld history, whether past or present, ia vain if there does not turk beneath and behind the wealth and leadership of the Repub lican party settled determination to make use of the prejudice and bitterness which they so sedulously cultivate toward the South to clothe the Federal Government with suffic- tent centralized power to protect the wealth of the country at the expense of the masses of the people.
 1 need not enter into detail of the facts which go prove this. It is apparent throughout their conduct. Whether in the autocratic power over the legislature of the country recently conferred upon the Speaker of the House of Representatives; in the tariff taxation of the poor; in the exemption of wealth from its share of tax; Tn the legislation of Republi- can States, such as Pennsylvania, which denounces combined efforts of laborers to secure higher wages as a conspiricy and crime, while conniv ing at those conspiracies of wealth so to the people, commonly called "trusts;" Tn it's efforts to con fer upon Federal authority control of both the education of the youth and the ballot; in the more shameful and infinitely dangerous conspiracy be tween the law created wealth of the and the Federal authorities under the terms of which the Gov ernment fosters wealth by unjust and discriminating enactment, and in consideration of which this ill gotten wealth debauches public nor als, degrades American citizenship, and outrages both decency and pa trlotism by open and unpunished bribery at the rolls-in whatever of their acts, this design msnifests it. self.
 Surely the crisis is sufficiently perilous to stsrtle every lover of his country into reflection!
 To what earthly power shall we look to arrest these dangers, if not to the Democratic partyp
 The duty of the hour then is to see to the success of Democracy all along the line, in city, county, State and natlon.
 To attempt to break the usage In his Stats which gives Governor Fla gle two terms, would beget bitter Trangle in our party which would oe exceedingly demoralizlng if It lid not endanger success.
 Profoundly impressed with these l feel that l should be slse to my country, to my party and 0 myself if l were to permit my per Ional ambition to lead to either re- Iult. Let us rather wave our am ,itions and personal considerations if whatever character and unite in but aggressive effort, i've Eagle 30,000 majority, and re .ssure our friends in other States hat Arkansas is overwhelmingly | n the side of patriotism and of the 'eople.
 But I am none the less thankful O my many friends because l feel myself constrained to decline their empting request, and feel sure that Ipon second thought they will gree with me that it Is best. Very ruly and gratefully,
 w M ErsuuACx