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

National Watchman.
For many years the Democratic
party has soundly abused the Repub-
icans for making use of the bloody
shirts in their campaigns. 1t has
been denounced as unfair, as calcu-
lated to stir up strife, and keep the
people of the sections antagonized
over a dead issue. To such an ex-
tent have the Democrats of the South,
and for that matter the whole country,
condemned this practice that the in
ference has obtained that similar
methods could find no supporters in
that section. But, alas ! now that
the "other OK is being gored," all
these highsounding protests turn into
the most miserable hypocrioy. This
assumed higher plane of political
ethics sinks out of sight amid the
unblushing enforcement of the most
revolving methods that depraved
nature can suggest, and reveals the
true status of bourbon Democracy in
its hideous deformity. The present
attack on Gen. Weaver by the domi-
nant Democratic element of the South
for brutal viciousness was never APP
preached, even In the palmy days of
John J. Ingalls,. 1t is hard to con-
sent, much more to believe, that such
brutality could exist among people
who have held for years the prestige
of being both generous and chival-
rous. This claim must now be sur
rendered, and the plain fact acknowl-
edged that for total absence of
manly instincts, for an absolute want
Of manly principles, the average
Bourbon Democrat stands unrivaled
before the world Not daring to
meet the great issues Of the campaign,
and too cowardly to face the people
upon the last political record, these hui
man ghouls, with all the malignity of
their species, attempt to blacken or
destroy the characters of the appos-
ing candidates. They have begun q
campaign Of mud singing, filth and
sectional hate that should fill the
lowest and most debased with dis
gust and astonishment. They have,
with studied brutality, dug up every
scrap, every word, and every move
of General Weaver to which an evil
coloring could be attached; these
they have distorted with venomous
Interpretation until he is made to
appear as a veritable monster in
human form. These vile and sland-
erous statements are printed in every
Democratic paper, read at every
Democratic meeting, and sent broad
cast among the people to rekindle
the almost extinguished fame of
sectional hate, and thereby continue
the South "solid." Remember this
is not done by the Ignorant and lower
classes, but by such leaders of public
thought as Gov. Northen, Speaker
Crisp, Gov. Jones, and the higher
class of political manipulators, assist
ed by the Atlanta Constitution, Char
lesion News and Courier, and all the
other great Southern papers. But
thank God, even under this heavy
load, the cause of reform is growing
and Strengthening among the people
of that Democratic ridden section.
The people have learned the lesson
of Bourbon Democracy amid the hard
lines of debt, want and unremunera-
tive labor. They realize that recently
a cowardly Democratic majority re-
fused to grant them relief and struck
hands with the despoiler in Wall
Street. They will not listen, much
less believe, these vile attacks on
their fearless standard bearer, but
will trust him, work for him, and at
the end vote for MIN.
Gen. Weaver is a kind-hearted,
true hearted, Christian gentleman.
He is intelligent, fearless and a model
of integrity. He is worthy to be
trusted, and if successful in this con-
test will give the people pure, up
right and acceptable administration.
A vote for Weaver is a vote against
tyranny.