People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-12-09
Opens the Safety Valve.

AS the campaign of 1892 has passed
into history, let US review some of
the methods adopted by the old par
tisan papers and leaders in this long
to be remembered contest, at least in
the Tenth Congressional District of
Georgia. First, the two old parties
appear to have agreed to disagree
upon one or two minor questions, the
force bill, for instance, in order to
stir up sectionalism and array the
people as much as possible one
against the other; and SO they piped
force bill and racial difficulties
throughout the South-but nobody
danced. They also piped tariff re-
form, but the people had been edu-
Gated until they knew the difference
between the two old parties upon
this question was only one of degree
and not principle, and there was no
enthusiasm upon this question 80
the two old parties, as between them
selves, hoisted the flag of truce and
Joined forces to defeat the Peoples
Reform party. There was no more
discussion of Democratic or Republi-
can platforms by either old party !;
they caused no ripples upon the great
political sea; no enthusiasm; no
speech making; no debates; no form
er campaign like this one between
these two old parties. The explana-
ton is found in the furious TRADE, by
both old parties, against the Peoples
party. Heaven forgive such unholy,
unjust, outrageous methods and tao
tics to defeat the honest demands of
the people for just and equal laws.
The weeklies and great daiIies evaded
any discussion. of the great economic
questions that rest so unevenly ON
the masses Of our country, enriching
few, impoverishing the many; and
despite the efforts of our reform
press and speakers to discuss the de-
mands of the people and the injustice
of certain laws, and conduct cam
paign of education, the old press, by
sheer numbers, forced the most re-
morseless campaign of abuse, SANDER
and misrepresentation that ever dis
graced our country. They appealed
to the lower and baser passions and
sentiments of their readers by calling
our leaders traitors, rascals and an
archists, and the rank and file rag
tags, bob-tails and mugwumps, and
other opprobious names, in order to
reate a sentiment against the great
oeform movement of the people.
Threats and force measures of every
Shade Of depravity, and any device
That might weaken the peoples move
ment or reflect upon the characters
of their leaders, was considered quite
an addition to the campaign fund
and entitled the originator of snch
questionable means to the position of
hero in Democratic ranks. But
enough of this. -
Now few thoughts on the Con
gressional election in Georgia. Ought
there not to have been a free ballot
and honest count? Ought the large
cities and towns to have debauched
the ballot box, as was done in Au-
gusta and other pie 32s, by force,
bribery, threats, vOtir'N residents
yea, dead mems names are found
upon the tally-sheets. Shame upon
Democracy, its methods and devices.
The people are justly indignant. Let
the investigation and contest in the
Tenth district go on. Hurrah for
Tom Watson and the Peoples party.
Lift high the banner Of reform. Truth
must and will prevail. Vox.
Amlty, Ga.