The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-04-22

human secular affairs ~ outy,
reason and experience. What is the
experience OF the Democrats IN North
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tex
as, who Left the Democratic party IN
1890 and made their fight under
new party flag? What have they
accomplished for the principles for
which they fought: How many
Alliance Congressman have they!
How many have We? In North Caro-
lima, by combining with the kepaD.
licans, they have secured some local
victories. How a free silver man
can cooperate with a Southern Or
Eastern Republican, dear money
people, cannot comprehend.) ln
Georgia, Tom Watson, one among
the brightest stump speakers the
South has produced, was elected to
Congress so loag as he made MS
fight in the Democratic patty. SO
soon as he went out, he was beaten,
and the country at large has lost
his valuable services in the hall OF
Congress in favor of national legls-
lation for the benefit OF the ag
riculturist. He has seen his mistake,
but it is now too late.
In 1890 we made our fight within
the Democratic party. To-day we
have accomplished all we demanded
in local legislation, and besides have
maintained in the State. a party IN
which white men settle their own
differences among themselves, and
the majority govern. This condition
1.-THE rule of the majority OF white
men) will continue if we maintain,
our present organization. Why cant
we make the same fight in the ma
tional Democratic party.
Senator Tillman is making tour
of the Western States. Many papers
say he is launching Presidential
boom. 1 say his primary object, and
I know what I am talking about, is
to arouse in the Democrats and
silver men in the West such enthu
siasm as will enable them to capture
the National Democratic convention
the same tactics as used in this
State in 1890 to get control of the
Democratic organization.
If we have succeeded here in this
way why try unknown paths i'll
National politics until we find this
method will not avail? If we are to
have a silver President, he must be
elected upon nomination by the
Democratic party. 1t is not an
assured fact that he can be thus
elected-but I say this is the only
hope. I would gladly welcome a
contest simple and pure between
silver and gold, but in this country
such cannot be had under present
political conditions.
Then / am of the opinion that the
safest course for US to adopt is to
attend the club meeting. Send good
men to the county conventions; let
these send good men to the State
convention, let it inturn send good
men to the Chicago convention, on
an unequivocal silver platform, de-
manding 8 national silver platform,
and nominee. My present judge
ment is that the silver men will
control the National convention,
but if we should divide and have
contestiDg delegation, it may put
different face on the matter. Then
am in favor of every man doing his
duty in our present organization
and not crossing the bridge before
we get to it. Let US make an honest
effort to get silver man nominated
by the Chicago convention, and if
we fail it is time enough to decide
what is best to do under the surroun-
ding circumstances. No such strong
effort has been made. In 1892
many silver Democrats stayed at
home in the North and West and
allowed the convention to be run
by those not in sympathy with them.
If you do likewise now by staying
away from the clubs certain defeat
must come to the silver men. De
not follow this example but 60 into
your clubs. and make their action
you. Let whatever is dopo be done
by the rank and file Of the party and
not by few leaders. I think it
unwise to send a delegation to Chi
cago instructed to vote under certain
circumstances. But if such course
is to be adopted, let it be done by
the people. Tiliman has been attacked
and frequently misrepresented