People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-30

interest OF the country.
Mr.. Watson. No, I said that the
distinctive feature come down
through Knights of Labor and they
agreed to fight for those principles
irrespective of party. That one of
the planks which your party, and
yourself, SO strongly condemn was
that the government should own and
operate the railroads.
Mr.. Black. Well, my point is that
the financial plank Of the sub-treas-
ury plan was In the interest of the
man that had something, and against
the interest Of the man who had
nothing. Where is the poor man
who has not a foot of land-not
even enough to bury his child
where are you going to raise the
cotton to borrow money on this sub
treasury plan? Why, it helps no
one but the man with the land. It
is not in the interest of the black
man; it is not in the interest for any
man. It is at war with every in
terest, it is class legislation and
ought to be condemned by every
man. If you get into power the
first thing you propose to do is
something for which you have ours
ed the party already in power. l
say no. No party can pass law
until it comes into power. You
have to get both houses of Congress,
and you have to get the Presidency,
before you can pass a single law.
Have you as good a chance to do
that as the Democratic party?
Voices. Yes, we have only to
vote right.
Mr.. Black. My friend, you are
mistaken. You will never live to
see that day. Now listen. Let US
be practical. There is no use in
having impracticable theories. I am
assured chat you want something
practical. Something that you can
use to benefit you. Well, will any
man tell you confidently, that he
expects to see your party get into
power at the next elections. Now
don't you know that you have only
nine or ten members Of Congress
out of 333, and do you expect to get
a majority? When do we expect
the Senate? Do not consult your
prejudices against rich men, against
city men, against right and justice.
Sit down and consult the reason
with which your Creator has en-
dowed you. How is it possible if
you cannot have the faintest hope of
getting control Of the government.
Now | do. not believe in abandon
ing principle because you are in the
minority any more than my compe-
titor. | say that man ought to
stand for principle, without compro.
missing or swerving If he was the
only man in the world who was for
that principle. Cheering and laugh.
ing) | say this, we ought not to
lose our senses.
Voices. We amt going to.
(Laughter.)
What is the use for us to try to
do something that is impracticable,
that is impossible, when there is fair
chance to obtain, possibly not so
much, but a great deal?
Now listen. He talks about in
come tax, taxing the millionaire. |
am as much in favor of taxing the
as he is. (Laughter.) I
will go as far if honored with your
as any just and fair man
will go. l will not be controlled by
any prejudice against the rich man,
| will tell you that.
A voice. We know thai without
you telling us. (Renewed laugh
ter.
Mr.. Black. I would not do the
rich man an injustice any sooner
than l would do the poorest man in
your midst an injustice. I would do
all men Justice alike. And no pub
lie clamor could swerve me from the
path of rectitude. No,uot if it was as
loud and terrific as the thunder that
shook the base of Sinai or as vivid
as the lightning that played about
olympias sacred summit, would I be
moved to do injustice to any man,
rich or poor. But while I say that
I will say this also, that I will go as
far as any just man can go to i'm
pose upon the wealth Of the country
its just and fair proportion Of the
burdens of government. admit
that there is no plank in our plat
form demanding an income tax.
say what | said before, that | go on
the Georgia State platform, and that
I will go as far as can to carry the
platform out. | say, too, that there
are more Demo Gratis in the Congress
of the United States that will vote
for the income tax than there are
Third party men.
Voices. Oh, oh!
Mr.. Black. I repeat it, and I
successful contradiction.
A voice. That is because you
have SO many more, but wait till af-
ter November and then where will
your party be?
Mr.. Black. Listen. There is no