The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-25
WATSON NOTIFIED
A Long Letter Reviewing Financial
Record of the Old Parties.

RECORD OF the Old Parties.
The following is the letter sent by
Senator Butler, of North Carolina, the
Chairman of the Populist Executive
committee to Hon. Thomas L. Watson,
of Georgia, notifying him of his nomi-
nation as candidate for Vice President
by the Populist National convention.
The letter contains l, 500 words, and
is devoted to review of the two old
parties and causes which lead to the
formation of the Peoples party. He
says that the Populist declaration for
free coinage in 1892 was the first hon
est declaration made for the recogni-
tion of the rights of silver, and claims
that but for the work done by the Pop
ulist party the Democratic convention
in Chicago would not have 1isen to the
patriotism that caused them to return
to the principles of Jefferson and Jack.
son. Concluding, Chairman Butler
says:
THAT party in its National Convention
nominated for the Presidency William ].
Bryan, man who was ready to renounce
the false gods OF n corrupted Democracy, as
Henry NJ. Teller had renounced the false
gods OF corrupted Republicanism. The
ton, held few weeks later, put country
above party and rose to higher plane OF pa
trtotism than has ever been shown by any
other party-it recognized in this young pa
triot OF the West n man who stands in the
broadest and trueSt sense for American insti.
tutions and American principles-a man Us
worthy aud as true as any one within our
own ranks, and besides, one who had already
several million votes pledged to his support.
and who, therefore. we would be sure OF
eiectinG in the present contest. Thus was
presented to US AN opportunity to elect this
year man who would be the first friend of
the people in the White House In twenty
years. such n man as the Peoples Party had
scarcely hoped to elect before 1900. II the
Democratic party had been true to the pee
pie and its own platform In its selection OF
candidate for Vice President, we would not
now have the honor OF addressing
you, one Of the worthiest, and most
beloved sons of the Peoples
party. in this official capacity, for in that
event the Peoples party would have nomina-
ted the whole Democratic ticket by even a
larger majority than it nominated Mr.. Bryan.
But such was not the case. 1t seems that the
party was not able at one effort to purge It.
self Of It's modern heresies, cast of its pluto.
cratic tendencies, and at the same time II
nominated Sir. Bryan, give him a running
mate who had earned In the arena OF action.
conteDdng against the foes OF the Republic
the affection, confidence, and trust Of the
masses OF our people, rs had Mr.. Bryan him
self. Had it nominated q man for the Vice
Presidency who was known to all America as
u cheftain and leader in defense OF the toll
ers and producers OF the land-one who, by
the use OF voice, pen, ard means, and en-
deared himself to the American people-one
with a past not obscured in a silence sugges-
tive OF either ignorance or indifference to the
struggle OF the people with the money power
the occasion OF this communication to your
worthy self would not have occurred. The
Peoples party. true to its principles and
true to its teachings nominated for
the high office Of Vice-President, a
man worthy to have headed the ticket, a
man who represents what Mr.. Bryan pepre-
8 ,nts, and, therefore, presents to the people
today In the persons OF Bryan and Watson,
the best silver ticket in the feld--a ticket
more representative OF American interests
than cny other, ticket that stands for Just
the opposite to that for which the Republican
ticket stands.
"If the people are in this tight for financial
reform, 1t must be accomplished by the CO.
operation OF the silver forces OF all political
parties. To secure such cooperation OF the
different parties 1t is necessary to have CO.
Watson IL not only the best silver ticket but
it is also the true cooperative ticket.
1--WE have the honor sof representing the
second National convention o! the Peoples
party, to formally notify you Of your nomi-
nation for the Vce-Presidency Of the United
States, and hope you will accept tho high
trust, and carry our banner IF "Esual rights
to all and special privileges to none," to
victory against the combined forces of
special privileges aggregate capital. and
organized greed"