The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-11-10
STILL THEY COME.

Prominent Georgian Leaves the Demo.
cratic Party and Joins the Populists.
A special in the Atlanta Constitution
says that Colonel Claiborne Snead, well
known in Georgia as having been
most active participant in Democratic
affairs, has written letter to Hon. G.
Fl. Ellington, chairman of the commit
tee on arrangements at the recent mass
meeting at Thomson, when Mr.. Watson
spoke, explaining why he could not at
tend and also giving his reasons for join
ing the Populist party. The letter is as
follows:
Hon. g. II. Ellington, Chairman Of Committee:
DEAR SIR-Engagement for this week will
prevent q compliance with your invitation to
the Populist rally at Thomson next Friday,
but shall be with you in sympathy.
Having ever been q disciple Of Jeffersonian
Democracy, and never having voted other than
q straight Democratic ticket from the time my
maiden ballot was cast for Stephen A. Doug
las until the present moment. you may well
imagine my regret in bidding adieu to party
with which l have been SO long associated.
This regret, however, is tempered by the re-
Election that the Democratic party, as at pres
emit constituted, has only the name without the
principles, and the pledges in its platform are
regarded as mere 'giittering generalities'' to
gull the people. according to the authority Of q
distinguished Democratic member Of congress
from the state of Maryland, who stands in
high favor with the Cleveland administration.
On the contrary, always was of the opinion
that the principles enunciated by a party in its
platform were to be the guiding star to be fol-
lowed in the event Of success and would be
held as sacred as the ark Of the covenant.
The main pledge in the Democratic plat
form, and in which the people are vitality in
terested, was the coinage of silver, one Of the
moneys of the constitution, upon a parity with
gold, and without cost at the mint to the own
| ers of the metal-or, in other words, the free
coinage Of silver.
This solemn pledge to the people, which
| mainly contributed to the success of the party,
| is being violated by the president under Dem
ocratic mask in carrying out Republican prin-
| ciples, at least SO far as the currency is in
| volved, with such allies as those stalwart Re-
i publicans, Thomas B. Reed of the house, and
| John Sherman of the senate, the father Of the
act demonetizing silver, which Senator John
| G. Carlisle, now secretary of the treasury, de-
| nounced "as the most infamous crime Of this
! or any other age"
That pledge has been violated by majority
| of the Democratic members Of the house OF
| representatives, by voting to strike down the
| only remaining statute left for the protection
| Of silver, and consequently establishing the
single gold standard.
The people want the free coinage Of silver IL
order to stop that continual decrease in values
Of labor, of land and all the productions there.
Of, which has been steadily in motion since its
demonstration in 1873 until now. Our lands
especially in the rural districts, are almost
without any market value, while from the
products of the soil the costs Of production
are barely realized. This is no fancy sketch
but stern, grewsOme fact.
The people cry out for relief by this addi
tional currency, which cannot be controlled by
the plutocratic gamblers of Wall street. New
York, and of Lombard street, in London. They
have asked for bread, and they are given {
stone, in the shape of a bill to repeal the cleo
ton laws.
Well do remember the period when Gen
eral Grant was president, with all the eclat O.
a conquering hero, with large army flushed
with victory at his back and with garrison
in every county Of this state, and yet our man
hood, despite these laws, arose in its might ant
rescued the old commonwealth from the con
troll of alien adventurers. These laws, which
our people never favored and never feared
when no election is now near at hand, are re
pealed as q salve to soothe and quiet the CT,
for more currency, sufficient for the purpose
of business, and that will enable labor an,
property, both real and personal, to receiv
their adequate reward.
Was there ever more miserable subterfug
than this attempt to hoodwink the people? Il
the language of Mr.. Bland of Missouri, hav
now reached sthe parting road" and can e
not further with a party thus enlisted in cru
SADIE for favored classes as against the masses
and as your party in the main more nearly CO
incides with the merits of that Democrac
which was first expounded by Thomas Jeffe1
son and subsequently enlarged and illustrate
by Andrew jackson l am willing to strik
, hands with you for the triumph of those prin
ciples. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLAIBORNE SNEAD.