The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-12-26

tail ruin on the taxpayers
1ourparty has. Ibelieve, placed itsel
in opposition to the repeal of the pro
hibitory tax on State banks, and vel
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 L think that ]
was fully justified N saying that nc
man standing on the Ocala platform
could claim to be Democrat [ dc
not question the patriotism of the men
who agree with you as to the true
principles of Jeffersonian Democracy,
/ but / do not construe those principles
as you do, yet | have always regarded
myself as a Democrat. There are
several planks in your platform with
which L concur as does every true
Democrat-as, for instance, >ur fourth
and fifth questions. Your seventh has
rather potent objection against its
adoption: the Constitution prescribes
the mode of olecting United States
Senators, and until three-fourths of
the States choose to change that mode
the present method must obtain.
hardly think that the change will
be made in time to allow any of the
present young aspirants Of the Alliance
pie! aHowever, l sheuld not object to
that test in South Carolina, and pri-
mary might possibly express tho wishes
OF our people as well, 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, L suppose. read the Demo-
cratic platform, and if you compared
1T you must see how greatly it differs
from yours. Very many Democrats
think that the similarity of your plat
form and that of the Populists is more
marked .han that between the Demo-
cratic and the Ocala.
Your letter to me seems to have
been brought out by mine suggesting
South Carolina. AS Vice President of
tho National Democratic League, was
asked to authorize the organization of
these clubs, and | wrote to ascertain
tho wishes of the true Democrats in
tho State. 1t never occurred to me
that any white man in South Carolina
would be ashamed to join Democratic
club. Should there be any such, all
can find their proper alignment, for
the Republicans. the Populists and the
Ocalaites all hold out allurements for
recruits and proselytes. There was q
time whom it was the pride of our peo-
ple to hold an honorable place in the
grand Democratic column, as national
Democrats, supporting their national
administration, and standing fast 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 STANCE doctrines, and to
worship false gods. l am too old to
to change my faith for place or for
profit | seek nothing at the hands of
our people: but cannot forget that 1
am a South Carolinian, 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 life have been de-
voted.
[ have answered your courteous and
respectful letter frankly and it may be
my misfortune to differ radically with
the views you advocate, but claim for
myself, what | accord to you, perfect
freedom of opinion and of action. 1
am, Very respectfully yours,
WADE HAMPTON