The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-04
Mr.. Atkinson,s Letter.


Mr.. w. c. Glenn, Of Atlanta, in com
munication in the public prints, inter
prets the letter, in which Mr.. Atkinson
announces that he is candidate for
governor, TO mean that Mr.. Atkinson
hopes for success by making a distinct,
direct and aggressive attack upon the
policy of the Democratic party as admin
istered by its national opponents. without
waiting to see its results worked out, and
without waiting to see it developed upon
all points" 1t is sincerely to be hoped
that Mr.. Glenn is mistaken. Such a
course would divide the democracy into
two factions, and the effect would be to
weaken the party.
II is true there are some things in Mr.
Atkinson s letter which seem to bear out
the Interpretation that Mr.. Glenn gives
it, but it is not improbable that Mr.. At
kinson's meaning is misunderstood. What
we want in this state is a united party.
There is no good reason why there should
be an administration faction and an anti
administration faction. The national ad
ministration is doing its utmost to fulfill
the promises contained in the national
democratic platform.
There are some differences of opinion,
it is true, as to whether the free coinage
of silver is promised in that platform, but
the silver question is practically out of
the way for the present. There is quite
general satisfaction with the action of
congress in repeating the purchasing
clause of the Sherman silver law, and
there is not much probability that there
will be any other silver legislation by
this congress.
But as a matter of fact, there never was
any great demand in the south for the free
coinage of silver for any other reason
than that it was believed it would make
money more plentiful ami cheaper The
thinking men of the south have about
reached the conclusion that free silver
coinage would not improve the financial
situation. In all parts of the south there
is now plenty of money. A few days ago
it was stated that the country banks, hav-
ing more money than they can handle
profitably, are depositing it with banks in
New York, for the reason that it yields
them two per cent. there.
II ulOlO 10 ubCuGu IL Will Ut
provided by the removal of the tax on
issues of state banks or by some radical
changes in the national banking system
The Democratic party is a unit in favor
of tariff reform. Mr.. Wilson's tariff
bill, which will soon be passed, is in
harmony with the tariff doctrines
of the Democratic party. There does
not, therefore, seem to be any sound
reason for any democratic candidate for
any Office to pursue course that would
have the effect of dividing the democracy
Of the state, MIR. Atkinson would make
a great mistake if he should conduct a
campaign upon lines indicating hostility
to the national democracy He would
discover that opposition to the policies of
the national democracy would weaken
rather than strengthen him with the peo-
pie. He will have much better pros
pect for success if he uses his influence to
hold the party firmly together All good
democrats should urge harmony in the
party because if the party remains united,
its chances for being victorious will be
much greater than if it were divided into
factions.