Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-03
A ROUSING LETTER.
Drawing the Line Between the Ocala
and Democratic Platforms.


Since the State Farmers Alliance Of South
Carolina voted that, as a prerequisite to
receiving the alliance votes, all canii.lates
in the democratic primaries next year must
pledge themselves to support the Ocala plat
form-indorsed by the populists at Omaha
against the platform of any political party,
and also repudiated by resolution certain
planks of the national democratic platform.
the Cleveland democrats of the state have
believed that the alliance proposes to use
the democratic machinery to elect populists
to congressional and other offices. This te-
lief has been confirmed by the declaration
during the silver debate by Senator lrby,
who is the state democratic chair man. that,
If unconditional repeal should prevail, he
and his people-the alliance men-would re-
fuse to follow democratic leadership further,
and that he would vote against any tariff
reform measure introduced in behalf Of the
national administration.
A probable result of this policy is indi-
Gated in a letter from Gen. Wade Hampton,
federal commissioner Of railroads. to the
editor of the Columbia State, and which
Will appear In that paper today. Gen.
Hampton is vice president for South Caro-
lima Of the National League Of Democratic
Clubs, of which Chauncey F. Black of
Pennsylvania is president. Noting the fact
that the state and other conservative, or
anti-Ocala, papers have been advocating his
taking the lead in organizing this league
for support of the democratic principles, as
serted at the national convention. Gen.
Hampton says:
Il have waited to ascertain the views of
the democratic press Of South Carolina, for
these papers represent, in my opinion, the
only true democratic sentiment OF the state
and this sentiment should be expressed by
what are called the conservative papers. My
own judgment is clear that the time has
come when the line should be drawn be-
tween those who stand on the Ocala plat
form and those who stand on that Of the
national democracy. No man who upholds
the former can claim properly to be a demo-
crat and unless our people choose to cup
port the fallacies of the Ocala adherents
or to be led into the populist party, the
true democrats Of the state should organize
to maintain the principles of the Gemo-
cratic party. as set forth in the Chicago
platform.
If my democratic fellow-citizens agree
with me that this is the true policy TO be
adopted. shall at once proceed to organize
national democratic clubs throughout the
state, and l shall exert my utmost efforts
to keep the state where it properly belongs
In the great democratic column.
Il believe that this can be done, Cor our
people will scarcely now. in the hour % VIC
tory. forsake the flag they followed SO
steadfastly and so faithfully when that flag
went down in defeat. INSCRIPTIONS delna-
gogues have by false promises, misled liapy
of our most honest men. and they have
brought shame upon our proud state.
Il will have abiding faith in the men who
followed the starry cross through trials and
carnage; who bore, with the herosm Of
martyrs. the sufferings Of the reconstruc-
ton era. and who, with q devotion and
pluck never surpassed, rescued the state i'm
rs. Those men cannot forget the past, nor
can they forsake the banner under which
the victory Of '76 was won.
II can once more give aid to my state.
/ shall gladly enlist in her service, and
shall rejoice to join those who seek to MAIN
tain her welfare, to protect her honor, and
to save her from shame and disgrace.
Il am very truly yours,
WADE HAMPTON"
This will probably result in the organiza-
ton of the league to represent democratic
interests In the place Of the present state
committee. which is controlled by believers
In populist doctrines