The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-28
MISSIONER, Feb. %. 1892.
DR.. NJ. G. Elzey. Associate Editor of the Ma
tional Economist. Washington, ID. c.:

DR.. NJ. G. Elzey. Associate Editor Of the Ma
tioual Economist. Washington d. c.:
NV Dear Doctor confess to some sur
prise after the refusal OF the Economist to
publish my reply TO your criticisms on my
reported interview with the editor of the
Religious Herald (for lack OF space, as WAS al
legged that room should have been found 50
soon thereafter for the publication of your
second article with such extracts from my
communication as YOU were pleased o. make.
thus denying me the opportunity of putting
myself right before the readers of the EcOnO-
mist, in which | had been misrepresented.
Nevertheless ! thank you for very much Of
kindly spirit which you have eyinced in both
Of your articles for me personally.
But you will insist that / am a merchant
doing business in the city Of Richmond and
produce an envelope which contained my
communication on the back of which was
marked DrewTy a Co.. a concern now out Of
existence Of which my brother. Major Clay
Drewry was senior partner. as he IS of
the present concern of DrewrY. Hughes 4
Co.. as evidence of the fact, when in that
envelope WHICH contained my communicative
| had positively assured you that / was not
then engaged IN the mercantile business, and
had not been for many years. Moreover, you
say that have repeated the assertion that
the Alliance organization was mlsled by lot
of miserable old hacks" whereas 10 cannot
be made TO appear that have used such an
expression in anything | have written and
could not have repeated it. In my interview
with the editor of the Religious Herald | am
reported TO have SAID SO, but in my letter 10
yOu rs published IN TIE inns ! said a large
majority of the Alliance order well knew were
as patriotic and true rs | could claim to be-
but unwillingly led by persons whose ewes
seemed 50 fixed on Office as to be willing TO
peril the welfare of US all 20 obtain one, and
this DO not think will much surprise any Of
fria 10 20 sh,, I..r. 4 4
have not hesitated 70 so express myself 10
such of them as | have met as the best ex-
cuse l could make for the extreme and dan
gerous doctrines they seem disposed to press
upon us.
Again, it is very kind in you to assert that
INJUSTICE has been done to my head and
heart IN much that have been made
to say. and / agree with you il not
nnirequently happens that aspiring politicians
will hit their opponents over other peoples
shoulders rather than express Their own
views at the risk of losing q little popnlaritv
but do not belong TO that class. and not
being on the lookout for an Office. can venture
TO express my opinion on any matter of public
concern with no fear Of being hurt in that
way. You have said that was not properly
designated successful farmer. but q sue
cesstul retired merchantand that my farming
operations had been kept up by profits
drawn from merchandise | have told YOU
that from the day lett Richmond in lac,
with my small sum of IS. 900 and not 81 900
as published in IHE TINES by mistake. nv
farming operations had received no help from
profits drawn from commercial pursuits. but
in the meantime had contributed largely 10
the success or not n few Of my commercial
friends, who will take pleasure i'll attesting
the fact
The picture you present would drive every
man from the farm. and then what but starya-
ton would follow. The announcement |
a. ar IL "a M.
ing IN oy-gCne wears than at the present time
since IN my communication you must have
observed that said the farming interest was
now greatly depressed. for reasons which /
thought could be explained and corrected by
wise legislation. That the farmers Of our
section who were made to bear the brunt OF
long and desolating war came ont of II more
damaged than any other class presume will
not be denied. with their labor system gone
their homes desolated aud in many cases
nothing but the naked soil left them. without
money and with little credit passing into the
hands OF traders for all they bad TO buy or 10
sell as a matter OF necessity and not of con-
yenience, as III ante-bellum days. The
change was too great for many of them TO
stand, and how could u have been expected
OF people raised TO ease and ahuence. with
time and opportunity 10 read study and 10
travel, fit representatives of the highest order
OF society and alike distinguished in the
councils of the nations, TO take very kindly
TO the pillow and the hoe, Besides our Gov
eminent had emerged from the war with a
heavy debt and a currency without specie a.
basis could not trade TO advantage with the
outside world. and had 70 look to a devotion.
ment OF its agricultural interest to re-estab-
lisn Itself amongst the nations of tho earth
Eastern capitalist woro induced to invest their
FUNDS in railroads TO penetrate the rich lands
OF the West. migrants in countless mum.
oers were invited to come over and occupy
those lands with all the help the Government
could AFFORD them in the way Of land grants.
comparatively free transportation and the
like in which the projectors Of the roads