The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-12
BACK TO HIS FIRST Love.
Ex- Attorney General Williamson, Of
Indiana, Declares for Cleve-
land and Stevenson.
Tho Reasons Which Induced Him
to Renounce tho Repub-
lican Party.
A Tariff for Protecting the Rich aUd OPP
pressing the Poor. the Force
Bill, Etc,

# prcsoSoB tuS TOOFs the EOt0O
Bill, Eto.
II was recently stated in the papers tn at
the Hon. Dslsno L. Williamson. Of Gresn-
castle. Ind, had announced himself for
Cleveland and Stevenson. Mr.. Williamson
il of Kentucky stock, having been born in
Florence. Boone county, shat state. For
mors than thirty years tho law Arm of
williamson u Dag0y WAS the most promin-
ont In central Indiana. Mr.. Williamson
was elected for two successive terms on the
republican ticket 40 attorney general OF his
state. serving with Gov. Oliver /. Morton.
He 10 between sixty-hve and seventy years
of age. of fine ability and with o large fol-
lowing in his section of Indiana. He is
comfortable in finances. without further
ambition in politics and honesta and brave
in his convictions. His accession TO tho
democratic ranks is worthy of particular
note. All Of which IL introductory to the
following correspondence which We find in
the last issue of the Greencastlo (Ind.)
Democrat. Mr.. Willis mson's is a ringing
letter and he makes some notably clear cut
and strong points:
Brazil, Clay county. Indiana. June e,
1S92-D. E. williamson, Greencastle, Ind.
My Dear Friend: see by this morn
inR's papers that You have averred your
purpose to vote for Cleveland and Steven
aon. congratulate you upon this return
to your ancient love, from which you have
been 30 long alienated.
I admire such independence Of party
shackles. Your great influence will be
felt t%hroughout the borders of Indiana, and
many others, by YOUR heroic purpose, will
be induced to return to the fold Of the old
party, which, arm proud to say IL nearer
sound and correct in its principles on the
financial and tariff questions than it has
been for twenty-five years.
I extend to You the right hand warm grip
Of party fellowship. May you live to be a
thousand wears old. and when you die may
il BE- in the ancient faith to which you once
Yours fraternally, GEO. A. KNIGHT.
GREENoAsrLE. Ind, June ~, 1s92.-Geo.
A. knight, Brazil. Ind.-My Dear Friend:
I have your note of the 25th inst. I treas-
ure its contents as the expression Of q
friend without guile. In 1861 the war, that
great epoch in American history, led me
into the folds of the republican party. MY
action was the result Of honest conviction,
a belief that the government could only
exist by great expenditure OF blood and
treasure. stood by thut party and acted
with il until every question arising out of
the war WAS settled and sealed by the law
of the land. No change was ever made in
nv mind az to old democratic principles
they had grown too strong to b. eradicated
by subsequent events. Through n of
those political mutations that all parties
are subject to the democratic party now
stands as to government policy (the slavery
question eliminated) where it stood before
the war. A tariff for revenue with inciden-
tai protection to our manufacturing inter-
ests, not a tariff for protection TO wealth
md innit1aptal ravAnu0 tn the 00Varn mant-
Ihc race question is now on the shoulders
Of the republican party. Tn president and
the republican. politicians are Equarely
pledged to the "force bill" whenever they
obtain the power to pass such measure; l.
for one, am not willing to aid them in their !
effort for that power. If they succeed in
this canvass that odious law will be fas-
tened upon the people.
Power to control the federal government
is what tho republican leaders want. The
care of themselves in all state elections,
but in the election of a president and con-
gressman the whole federal power, execu-
tive. judicial and military, if necessary,
must DO invoked to keep the negro of the
south on top of the white population. The
negro has been freed. enfranohised. and
has equal political privileges with the white
man.
am tired of this political cry: "Lo! the
poor negro" lie can solve the race ques-
ton himself by breaking up the solid negro
vote. This at once would put him under
the protection of both parties and at the
same time break up the solid south, and we
would have no moro Of the race question.
Then. again, if tho republican patty is
kept in power, the government at Washing
ton will become imperial in all its attributes
and the states merely outlying provinces.
and self-government a thing of the past.
The present rulers of the republican party
all have military ptstensions, and regard the
mass of the party as subjects of command.
The people have but little to say. other
than ratify the acts of the oflceholders and
colo, cd gentlemen of the south. For my
part, l refuse to ratify. I had occasion last
week to visit Muncie, Ind, and availed
numerous manufacturing Embellishments in
operation and numerous others going up;
millions of dollars expended in the plants;
no want Of money, surplus capital OF other
manufacturing enterprises. As l returned
home, I looked out At the farmer toiling in
his fields, his farm of but little increased
value BY forty years hard work; tho manu-.
tho world open to his output; the farmer
limited to q home market for his products
and compelled to pay a royalty OH all his
purchases; the manufacturer a millionaire,
with all the luxuries of wealth; the farmer
q slave to labor, with a bare competency.
Tn former a petted child Of the govern
ment. the latter the Atlas upon which all
rests.
Are you surprised that l am on tho side
Of the under man. and aid in the fight
against plutocracy and imper ialism2
Stand upon the watch tower, unfurl the
banner of democracy. cry aloud and spate
not. I am truly your friend.
d. L. WILLIAMSON.
Gnnh 1nnku