Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-23
SENATOR zee VANce'SLeTTE7
An Admirable Political Address TO the
People of North Carolina.


Especial telegram TO the Dispatch.l
GoMBRooM, NEAR BLACK MOUNTAIN, n. c.,
September Ex-senator Vance's letter to
the people of North Carolina is published.
he opens by saying For many years
past have been IN the habit of visiting
you IN person during important cam
paigns and addressing you uDOn the politi-
cal issues of the time. Being on this Oc-
casIon prevented this privilege by the con-
dition of my health, and earnestly be-
lieving that the questions TO be decided
by our November elections are OF vital i'm
portance TO the public welfare, am in
duced TO contribute. IN this way my share
in the discussion of them. l regard the
situation as most critical"
After discussing in most forcible man
ner the issues involved III the present ma
tiOnal campaign, he concludes as follows:
My unfalter,ng confidence ia in the true
farmers OF North Caroline, who as members OF
the Alliance will, trust. not permit their noble
order and their Just cause 10 be perverted and
debased. host assured that no real friend OF
that noble class Of men who, under the proYl-
Geuce Of God, give us our daily bread, will ever
consent 10 this degradation of their cause into
the Obsequi0us tool OF interruptions, ambitious
mep, forfeiting the sympathy OF all moderate
people, and making the very name OF Alliance
to sink In the nOstrils OF justice and common
sense. j can but believe tho good judgment OF
our farmers viii enable them 20 see where these
leaders are taking them, and that their native
honesty will impel them to draw back in time to
save their country.
PARTY DUTY.
"Msny Of our people, It Is true, objected 70 Mr..
Cleveland, and preferred that he should not
havo been nominated. l confess that was
among that number. But an individual prefer
enco before the nomination Of q candidate Is one
thing. and the duty OF a true man after that
nomination has been fairly made Is another ana
very different thing indeed. In the one case
preference may be INDUCED in properly, with
out danger 70 tho principles we profess OF the
party which has those principles In charge; IN
the other case we endanRcr both and falsiy our
pretensons by contributing undeniably - the
success Of our adyorsaries. II We refuse TO abide
by the voice Of the majority OF our fellow-Demo-
Gratis, freely and unmistakaby expressed IN
friendly convention, there Is an end OF all asso-
ciated party enOrt IN the government OF our
country; If we personally participate IN that
consultation or convention and then refuse 10
abide by the decision OF the tribunal OF our own
selection, then there IL an end OF all personal
honor among men, and the confidence winch IL
necessary TO all combined effort Is gone forever.
The man who bets proposing 70 collect IL he wins
and 10 repudiate If he loses Is IN oil countries
and among all classes Of people considered
dishonest man.
WHAT A VOTER SHOULD DO.
"But II the considerations of good faith DO not
influence mems actions IN such case as this,
surely those which pertain to the public welfare
ought TO be decisive. II not satisfied with Mr..
Cleveland II seems 70 me an honest man should
balance accounts, pro and con, IN TINS way
Cleveland agrees with me IN desiring TO reform
the oppressive tariff taxation, 20 restrict the
abuse of corporate privileges, 10 repeal the tax
on state banks and thereby expand the cur
rency and above all he Is yehemently opposed
To force bills and all similar attempts TO destroy
tho rights and liberties OF the states. In Oil
essential reforms he agrees with me, except III
the single matter OF the free coinage OF silver,
and Ia respect TO this therc Is no reason 10 hop0
hot He une ruulOr and vigorous
which brought him IN fun sympathy
with his party on the great question OF
tarf reform will soon bring nm TO
see the absolute necessity OF maintaining
both OF the precious metals on a Uar 10 meet the
urgent needs Of the currency OF the world.
Harrison, N the contrary, agrees with me IN
nothing; there is no change or reform which !
desire that he Is not bitterly opposed 70, ana MS
party with him. Why, then, should hesitate ?
klther my vote for Weaver will help Harrison
and iniure Cleveland or It viii not; II cannot
avail Weaver, for he has no chance whatever
will probably not carry a single State. why,
then, should risk doing a damage 10 tho candl-
date who would DO most for me, though he does
not promise 20 DO all, and contribute 70 the
election Of the one VINO promises me nothing
bnt an Indefinite continuance OF existing wrongs
and an insOlent threat of other and greater
wrongs so soon as he has the power 10 perpe-
trate them7
NEVER MORE PLAIN.
"It seems 60 me- fellow-citzens, that the path
OF duty was never more plaln or the necessity OF
walking in IL more imperative than II If at thls
moment Let me beg your earnest consideration
OF the situation before yOu vote In November
and before you cut loose from the old. constitu-
tional Democratic party, which IN times Of our
extreme peril has 80 often brought US forth out
OF the house OF bondage, and abandOnits shining
banner 10 follow reckless and incompetent men
! into the wilderness OF their unreal schemes.
Think well Of the possible result Of your action
! how easy it is to destroy; how hard TO rebuild.
| / recently cut down in my mountain homo in
| about five hours tree that had taken 900 years
| 10 grow. ,,,
"The Democratic party is strong and able and
willing to help you; Its arm Is not shortenod tna
! il cannot save YOU: to cherish and uphold II l.
| the dictate of patriotism and common sense.
"YOur fellOW-citiZen, Il. Is. VANCE