The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-27

prohlbitory tax on State banks, and yet
one plank in the Democratic platform
advocates this measure.
Now, you must admit that your plat.
form is not in accord with that of the
Democratic party, and think that I
was fully justified in saving that no
man standing on the Ocala platform
could claim to bea Democrat. [ do not
question the patriotism Of the men who
agree with you as 10 the true principles
of Jefersonlan Democracy, but do not
construe those principles as you do; yet
I have always regarded myself as a
Democrat. There are several planks In
your platform with which concur ,.as
does everv true Democrat, as, fo- In
stance, your fourth and fifth questions.
Your seventh has rather potent objec'
tlon against its adoption. The Constl.
tuition presc ibes the mode OF electing
United States Senator's, and until three
teurths of the States choose to change
that mode the present method must ob.
tain.
Ibaldly think that the change will be
made in time to ALLOW auY OF the pres.
ent Young aspirauts of the Alliance to
test their strength before the people.
However, should not object to that
test IN South Carolina, and q primary
might possibly express the wishes OF
our people as we'll, if not better, than
the General Assembly; but am quite
content to stand in this matter, AS in
others, on the Constitution, where my
party has always stood. - -
You have, I suppose, read the Demo.
cratic platform, and if you comprehend
1t you must SOC how greatly it differs
from yours. Very many Democrats
think that the similarity OF your platform
and that of the Populists ls more marked
than that between the Democratic and
tho Otala.
Your letter TO me seems to have been
brought out by mine suggesting the for
nation of Democratic clubs in South
Carolina. AS vice president of tho Ma.
tiopal Democratic League was asked
to authorize the organization OF these
clubs, and I wrote to ascertain the wish
es of the true Democrats In the Stale.
1t never occurred to me that any whit 9
man in South Carolina would be ashamed
to join q Democratic club. Should
there be any such, all can find Their
proper alignment, for the Republicans,
the Populists and the Ocalaites all bold
out allurements tor recruits and prose.
lytes. There was time whom it was
the pride of our people to hold an hon
orable place in the grand Democratic
column as National Democrats, sup
porting their national administration.
and standing fas. on the platform OF the
Democratic party.
"Times have changed, and We have
changed With them" 1t is the fashion
now to abuse our President, to ignore
the platforms of our party, to promul'
gate new and strange doctrines, and te
Worship false gods, I am too old to
change my faith for place or for profit.
I seek nothing at the hands ofour peo'
PIE; but I cannot forget that lam 8
South Caroliniau. and my only ambition,
my sole aspiration, is for the welfare,
the dignity and the honor of the State
to whose service many of the best years
of my live have b.en devoted.
Ihave answered yoBr courteous and
respectful letter frankly, aud it may be
my misfortune to differ radically with
the views you advocate, but claim fol
myself what I accord to you, perfect
freedom of opinion and of action. I am,
very respectfully yours,
WADE HAMPTON.