The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-10-26
Why He is O Democrat.

procession proceed. BILL ARP.
Why He is o Democrat. IS
In the last issue of the Marion, N. O.,
Free Lance is the following communica-
ton, which should receive q close pc.
rusal from every third party man in the
South:
Some weeks ago the Peoples party of
Cleveland County, in convention assem-
bled, did ne the honor to name me as their
candidate for Sheriff. I feel deeply the
honor that they did me, and am grateful
for it. But careful study of the politi-
cal situation leads me to withdraw from
the race, and to return to the Democratic
party. 1t is but just to those who hon.
ored me with the nomination that /
should state frankly my reasons for this
action, and I DO 80 as briefly as possible,
as follows:
First. rem ember the condition of
North Carolina and her people in the
darks days from '68 to '76; how the
States credit WAS bankrupted her treas
ury plundered; the rights of her citizens
shamelessly and wantonly trampled un.
der foot; capital driven from her Dor.
ders !; her matchless resources loc ked up;
the school fund taken to pay the per
diem Of ignorant and vicious men who
loaded down the statute books with scan
dalous laws. I remember how in these
dark days no mans life, liberty or prop
erty was safe and there were no public
schools for the education of our people.
When contrast this with the wise, pure,
economical, and benehceat rule of the
Democrats since '78, and see that the
Republicans are en- deavoring to take ad.
vantage of the Peoples party movement
and regsin control of the State govern.
ment, I fell that it is my duty as a North
Carolinian and a white man to withdraw
from the movement and join the Demo.
cratic party in its fight for the salvation
of the State.
2nd. see clearly that the fight is be.
tween the Democratic and the Republi-
can parties. The Peoples Party cannot
hope to carry either the State or the ma
tional election. It might help the Re
publicans win and in that event I see
continuance of the ills from which the
agricultural classes are now 30 grievously
suffering; I see the force bill menacing
the liberties Of my people; I BEE the
shadow of Capitalization threatening; l
see among the evils sure to follow, in the
nation, laws permitting the intermar-
riage of the races. mixed schools in this
State, repeal of the County govern
ment system and thirty'two of the best
Counties in the State surrendered to ne
gro domination and the horrors that will
follow inevitably.
3rd. I have evidence of the unholy
trade that has been made by Butler and
Exum to sell the State to the Republi.
cans for $4,000. I have the best reason
to believe that a corrupt bargain exists
between the leaders of the Peoples Par.
ty and the Republicans whereby the
rank and file of the Peoples Party is bs.
trayed into furthering the plans Of the
Republican party. Ny heart revolts
against suah treachery and corruption,
and will not allow myself to be made
party to any such movement.
4th. am white man. love my
race, believe In white supremacy, and
interests of my State and my people are
far dearer to me than the Office of sheriff,
therefore withdraw from the Peoples
Party and am no longer to be considered
a candidate for the Office of sheriff.
I desire before I close to appeal to the
good men who have allowed themselves
to be persuaded into the Peoples Party
movement to join me in This action. A
thoughtful and painHtaking review Of the
political situation has convinced me of
the fact that by independent political
action at the present ne can expect moth.
ing but @ continuance of Republican
rule and that character of legislation of
which ne so justly complain. Let US
then, as true North Carolinians, join the
Democrats in fighting our common enc
my the Republican party.
As for myself I propose to vote the en-
tire Democratic ticket frem Grover
Cleveland down, and I hope that my
friends will join me in it.
Respectfully,
A. B. PEELER.