The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-03-20
A RINGING ADDRESS,
CHAIRMAN ASHBY TO THE pop
ULISTS OF TEXAS.
He Declares the 10000 Populists of this
State to BE "the Great stonewam Brigade
of the Reform Movement" and Urges
Thorough Organization.

oPuAiSlS VI leAdS. congratulate
you upon your great work for the
people In the past, your devotion to
the principles of justice and right
History will write down that amid the
wranglings, trickery and corruption OF
the dominant political parties, the op-
preston of poverty, without politi-
cal prestige, brow-beaten, insulted, &C
cused of anarchy, communism and So
cialism, that you have bravely stood
for the principles inaugurated by the
fathers of this republic; exposed fraud
and corruption in high places; you have
beaten back the cohorts of plutocracy
that would have, but for your untiring
efforts, overwhelmed our fair land,
and the reign and rule, undisturbed, of
monoyed aristocracy would have re-
suited.
The 10000 Populists of Texas COM
pose, so to speak, the great stone wall
brigade of the reform movement in
these United States. You have been
brave and bold. patient and conserva-
tive. Yours has been largely a labor
OF love. By your broad and liberal
spirit 1t was that the laboring people
met at st. Louis to bury war issues
and drown with grateful tears the last
spark from hatred's fires, enkindled
during the civil war, that estranged
brothers might love back to a sweet
fraternal companionship. If you
would know your success, only look
over the country, from the snow-cov-
cred north to the sunny south, from
the far-east to the extreme west, and
find millions of Populists, a great.
growing party pledged to reform, held
together by duty and the love of JUS
tice. Witness the late session of the
National Reform Press association,
held at Dallas, by noble men and
women from all parts of our nation.
No one inquired where he or she was
born, whether in Maine or Florida;
whether he wore the blue or gray; on
she contrary, they were guided in all
heir actions by that spirit of fraternal
love that makes nations strong and
great. Texans, let the future develop
more and more of this spirit of lib
srality. Let US surrender no princi-
pies, but invite to our ranks and coun-
Ills all men who love their country.
We want no single plank or platform,
aor party; in fact, none has even been
proposed, SO far as my knowledge ex-
lends. AS for myself, I have never
lsked foy position in the party, and 1
Inn not a candidate for any Office at
the hands Of the people and would
hot accept anything at the hands of
tny other party. I have, under all cir
done the best l could.
"The state executive committee met
Vt Dallas on Feb. 22. Those present
we're H. s. P. Ashby Of Tarrant, chair
man; J. H. Boyd of Delta, secretary:
hrst district, E. P. Alsbury of Harris;
Ehird district, John O'Byrne of Gregg;
Sixth district, J. T. w. Loe of Dallas;
seventh district, W. F. Douthitt of Bell;
eighth district, j. NJ. Mallett of Par
ker; ninth district, M. M. Williams of
thirteenth district, ]. s.
Bradley Of Taylor, and for the state at
arge, H. L. Bentley of Taylor.
'The proceedings of the committee
we're conducted in secret.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, was decided up
on as the time for holding the state
convention. The commit
Zee fixed the basis of representation
'or the state convention as one vote
or every 300 votes cast for Hon. T. L.
Nugent for governor in 1894, and one
'or majority fraction of 800.
"The following resolutions were
adopted:
Resolved, that we favor an honor
Lble union Of all the reform forces of
he United States along those lines
hat will best promote the welfare of |
III our people, and that we reaffirm our
Impression of confidence in the integ-
'ity and patriotism Of our national |
chairman, H. e. Taubeneck, and the
committee, and also our state |
;hairman, H. s. p. Ashby.
Resolved, that while we do not fix |
he time for holding congressional con-
'entions for the purpose of electing |
delegates to the national convention,
re suggest that each convention elect |
me delegate for the district at large
nd one delegate for each 1000 votes or
fraction cast for T. L. Nu-
yent for governor in 1894 to the ma
ional Peoples party convention in
It. Louis.
Resolved, that we recommend that |
conventions for nomi-
rating candidates for congress be not
leld until after the national conven-
ion has met.
Resolved, that the chairman, H. s.
?. Ashby. is hereby authorized and |
instructed to appoint two delegates for
he state at large and two alternates
o the national convention.
"The matter of selecting the place Tor
lolding the convention was left with