Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-11-03

In the first place, viii say, that, If
Mr.. Williams had desired an audience
of farmers at Shubuta, he could have
easily Lad it by previous announce
ment. The farmers would have Hooked
to hear him, il they had known he was
coming.
But. j do not wish to parade Mr.. Will
liams' dignified lingo before the farm
ing public. and would not mention his
electioneering qualities again-for he
is an ex-Alliance man, and must be all
O. X. unless he is a deserter-if did
not see in your card move OF one OF
Clark county's shrewdest wire-pullers.
The object OF your card is not to break
down my published statement, but TO
divert public attention from Mr.. Will
liams' unfortunate speeches to DIS
pute between you and me in regard TO
the different constructions we put up
on the Shubuta speech. The truth Is
the truth, whether avouched by one In
dividual or a Thousand, and contradict
ed by sixteen. You all know that the
paper which you signed was drawn up
before it was presented for your sigma
ture. You know also that what said
about Mr.. Williams speech, was said
openly the next morning after the de-
livery of the speech. / did not nave 10
ask any of you whether he said SO and
so. ] was there and heard him. AS
came out from the speaking, Mr.. j. A:
Evans slapped me on the shoulder ana
said, II bet he has lost your vote" Mr..
Evans afterward stated to me, that he
paid no more attention to the speech
after Mr. Williams attacked the far-
mers-"it was doing him so much good
to see me twist"
Again, | suppose have not USED
enough policy since / moved to a town.
| brought in my heart love for my
old associates. ] have not thought, be-
cause I live in a town, l should laugh
every time | hear farmer ridiculed,
as. sad to say. have seen others do.
You all know. that | have always been
proud of my calling, that have done
my best to honor it, and that whenever
a farmer is attacked in my presence,
have quickly raised my voice in his de-
fence.
If Mr.. Williams in his said speech
had reflected on the editors, the mer-
chants. hotel keepers and railroad men,
there would have been several dogs
bowling instead of one; but the "lgno-
rant farmer" has gotten to be such
common epithet, that the ridiculing or
the abusing of him did not make suth-
Gent impression on your minds to be
remembered a week.
Mr.. Williams did not think it neces-
sary to see the common voter. 1t was
necessary only to make flying trip
through the district, and get the lead
ers all right. 1t is well known that
farmers do not go to conventions gem
orally. and Mr.. Williams had only to
address himself to those who usually
furnished convention material In our
late convention, Clarke county was
represented by one editor and one lar
ger.
Ny advice to my friends is, to go to
the polls and vote for Cleveland and
Stevenson. If their sense of duty and |
pride as farmers should prevent them
from supporting Me-. Williams, and
their action should cause his defeat, we
will be in no great danger. We would
still have two senators and SIX repre-
sentatives to represent the legal fra
ternity in Congress. One more lawyer |
at home will not endanger the meat |
and bread question, or cause nation
al calamity. By keeping Mr.. Williams
nearer to us we can watch him, ana,
perhaps. teach him to be more respect
full to the agricultural and laboring
classes. If elected, he will be forced |
to listen to the behests of corporations,
for the activity of railroad operatives
in his favor must, as the custom IS IN
such cases, pan out something IN the
end. Messrs. Allen and Neville, in
in their Archusa speeches, labored
hard to show the Importance of elect
ing Cleveland, but | failed to hear Mr..
Williams name mentioned.
In conclusion, l have only to remark
that, while | think the nomination of
Mr.. Williams very unfortunate, as
Democrat. I should have quietly sub
mitted to it: and that portion of the
citizens of Shubuta may thank them
selves for the continuation of this I'M
pleasant controversy to which L have
been an unwilling party, and of which
hope this communication will be the
Termination, A. JOHNSON.
For the information of the readers
of the LEADER who are not acquainted
with me, attach paper signed by lOO
of the best citizens of Clark county
Including the sheriff chancery and cir,