The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-09
TURNER'S REPLY.
Congressman Turner's reply is as follows:


House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 4, 1899.
MeSsrs. B. II. Patterson, Z. p 8. Denmark, c..
L. Holmes, j. s. Sharp, and J. c. Lehman:
DETERMINATIONS communication, dated
June 20, in which you. as = committee OF the
democratic convention o. the Eleventh dis
trict of Georgia, held on that day at Waycross,
notifying me Of my nomination by the conven-
ton by reclamation for the next congress- was
duly received. Such a nomination by the
new district does me great honor, and accept
1t with sincere gratitude. But the responsibility
devolved on me by the convention is also great,
and | should doubt my sufiicieucy for my task,
If did not rely confidently on the intelligent
and energetic cooperation of the party.
1t is now apparent that the great contest in
which the American people are about to engage
for the presidency and the control of congress
will be contested by the leading parties on the
historic issues of 1890. The Republican party
tenders us battle en- the old lines of high tax
alton aud federal control Of elections. II that
party succeeds we will again bave Mr.. Reed as
speaker and Mr.. Harrison as President of the
United States. These leaders OF that party il
is well known, exerted with unsparng hand the
vast influence Of their high stations during the
last congress to pass the Mckinley bill and the
force bill. The former became a law at the
first session Of that congress and the latter
having passed the House at the same session,
failed In the Senate at the second session by
vote of IS TO Al After an overwhelming de-
feat al The polls, on this issue, and with five re-
publican senators voting with us. only one vote
stood between us and destruction. II the Re
publican party had carried the election of $780,
would not the Senate have passed the bill? And
if that party should carry the country this fall
with these candidates aud upon this issue. does
any reasonable man doubt that this atrocious
measure will be put on our people?
By the singular hardship of our situation. at
no time within a generation, have the white
people of the south been able to divide without
ruin. The divisions of 1860 and of 1858 with
their direful train Of disasters and expressions
were bad enough; but our enc mics still left US
in a measure at least, the right to hold our own
elections. By manly and united assertion of
this right, We recovered our liberties in 1870
When those who Inundated and oppressed US
then, openly proposed TO strip us of this last re
source of freemen, shall we disband the old
guard of freedom. in the face of tue foe?
But have already this year at various places
in the district discussed the questions OF the
day, and it will be my duty during the ensuing
campaign, in the language Of our great leader.
ito tell the people plainly and honestly what
we believe and how we propose 20 serve the
interest of the entire country" / therefore
forbear now.
Thanking you. gentlemen, for the very
courteous and complimentary terms in which
you have conveyed TO me the wishes OF the con
Yention. have the honor 90 be your humble
servant, II. O. TURNER.