The morning news., 1892-03-31
Whera Watson wound Lesd Tnem

the leadipg member of the Peoples party In
the House, is very much gratifed at the
defeat Of the free silver coinage bill He is
quoted as saying that ''the action Of ths
| House on the silver bill is the death knsll Of
the democratic organization. No power on
earth can now keep Georgia from going
into the electoral college with the Peoples
party delegation. confidently believe the
same is true Of several other southern
states"
1t will be seen from the foregoing that
Representative Watson rejoices be-
cause be thinks there is
very fair prospect of defeating
the election OF democrat President He
doesn't expect that the Peoples party will
elect its presidential ticket. Indeed, he
knows that the Peoples party has no chance
OF doing anything Of the kind. He is so
bitterly opposed TO the Democratic party
the party which sent him to congress-that
he is determined to use his utmost endeav-
ors to have a republican elected President
to keep the Republican party In control Of
the government, and to strengthen the con-
troll of that party. That is what the carry
ing Of several southern states by the Peoples
party would amount to.
1t is easy to understand why Representar
tive Watson would like to see the Demo-
cratic party in Georgia beaten. He has
severed his connection with that party, and
unless the Peoples party can defeat that
party in Georgia bis public career will come
to sudden and inglorious end. What he is
| aiming at, therefore, Is to bring about a
condition of affairs that, he hopes. will
permit him to continue IN public life a
while longer.
But what have the farmers Of Georgia,
whom he is trying to lead out
of the Democratic party, to gain
by the defeat of that partyl
1t Is clear. as Representative Watson
virtually admits, that the Peoples party
has no chance Of getting control of the
government, and that II the Democratic
party IL defeated in several southern states
the Republican party will remain in con-
troll of the government But what have
the farmers Of Georgia or Of the south to
hope from such a condition Of affairs?
Have they reason TO expect more from the
Republican, than the Democratic party?
Have they reason 60 expect as muchl
Do they not know that the
means legislation hostile to them9 Is not
the Republican party openly and aggress-
ivelY against the free coinage of silver and
a reduction Of the tariff taxes? Is it not
against about everything that the southern
people consider necessary for their happi-
ness and material prosperitys Representa-
| tive Watson will not say 1t is not, and yet
fair Interpretation Of his utterances and
actions is that he would rather see that
party In control of the government than the
Democratic party.
There is no doubt that the great bulk of
the Peoples party is more kindly disposed
to the Republican, than to the Democr attic
party, but is there any reason why the
southern farmers should be. Have the
southern farmers anything to hope for
from the Republican partyl Have they
ever had any reason to regard 1t as their
| friendl Do they not remember their suffer
| ings at the hands OF that party
how they have been despoiled by
it and how their dearest rights
have been threatened by it, and vet
Representative Watson rejoices because his
party-the Peoples party-will enable that
party to get tighter grip upon the govern
ment-a grip that it may not be possible to
break in many years.
| II the farmers Of Georgia or any other
southern state are going to play into the
hands Of the Republican party, as Repre-
sentative Watson wants them to, we shall
be greatly disappointed in them. We believe
they are wide awake enough to their
own interest aud deeply concerned enough
for the welfare of the South not to adopt any
political course that would give the Rspub-
lican party-the enemy Of the south
another lease of power. They may be a
little unsettled about a number of questions
just now. but when the actual political sits
uation is placed before them they will see
that they could make no greater mistake
than to accept Representative Watson as a
leader and give encouragement to the
Peoples party.