The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-24
CONES BACK AT JUDGE CRISP.
MY Mr.. DIT BIGNON Is OPPOSED
TO An EXPRESSION IN JUNE.

PeopIe-AccordfnE 10 Mr.. CrfsD.
Heresy and Fidelity TO Party Prin-
ripIes Looked Upon as synony-
mous-Mr. duBiEnOn Repeats That
He VIII Not BE "A Candidate il the
NATIONAL Convention Announces
fer Free Snver-wants 90 Unite
with Judge Crisp in Requesting
an Expression From the People at
The October Election.
Mr.. du Bignon gave out last night for
publication 4 reply to the interview with
Mr.. crisp published in Wednesdays Con-
sutution.
4 was surprised" he said, that the
charge should have been repeated by Mr.
Crisp that those who are opposed to
vote in June upon the senatorial question
are Withholding from the people a right
10 speak on the subject. If Mr. Crisp had
been in Georgia, or had even read the
Georgia papers, before and during his
recent visit, as well as within the past
week. he would have known that this
charge was unfounded. Those who agree
with me in opposing a vote in June have
been influenced very largely by a desire
10 have a public expression which is full
and free 1t is because we want all the
people to speak upon this question at a
time and under circumstances when their
will can be fairly expressed that we op-
pose the June vote. There are some con-
trolling reasons why it would be unwise
to undertake such an election in June.
Mr. Crisp must know that there are
a large number of counties in Georgia
which will not take part in it; he must
know that there are a large number which
=. ,fs..
atorial choice in June. Will he or any
other fair-minded man, say that a vote
in a fragment of the counties ought to
be treated as an expression of the VIII
Of the whole people of Georgia? Surely
he must agree that the vote ought to be
taken at a time when every county in
the state will take part in it, Then, in
deed, we would have an expression of the
will Of the people of Georgia. For a few
counties TO go forward and vote upon this
question in June and undertake to speak
for the whole people of the state would
properly be resented by all those who
took no part. This reason alone, it seems
to me, is enough to control the decision
of any fair-minded man.
Mr. Crisp INDUCES, in his interview, in
some structures upon those who are op-
posed 10 this June vote for senator. which
deserve at least a passing notice. He
alludes to their position upon the ques-
ton Of thorough accord between d party
sy. To those Georgia democrats who be-
ueNe in fidelity to principles, these words
OF his sound strangely. If that great body
OF Georgia democrats, who believe that
the declared principles of the party ought
10 be represented in the person of their
candidates, are heretics, then, indeed
''heresy" and loyalty to principle are
synonymous. If the new doctrine which
he advances is adopted, il will fit nicely
upon The shoulders OF those candidates
whose tnlrSt Tor ONCE is so strong as to
make them willing TO become candidates
even on a platform TO which they are OPP
posed and containing doctrines which they
have repeatedly denounced as crimes
against the people. There are some who
are not willing to occupy such a po-
sition. There are some with whom con-
Viction, sense of duty and consistency out
weigh the mere desire for office. l have
sald publicly, and / now repeat, that if
the national democracy should declare
Tor the unlimited coinage of silver at
10 TO J. / will not be a candidate for
senator. do not expect TO change my
views / see no reason for thinking that
my convictions will be revolutionized be-
tween now and October. If the platform
of the party Is in favor of the unlimited
coinage of silver at 10 to l. while /, as
a voter of the ranks, will support the
nominee of the party would not be
a proper exponent of that doctrine, and
l would not undertake to occupy the po-
stion of a candidate whose duty il Will
be TO espouse it, and defend it upon the
hustings.
IF there are those of more plant ma
lures who are prepared TO change front
during the summer and face about to fit
the veering OF the majority, then they can
afford to announce their candidacy, and
to state that they viii be prepared to stand
upon any platform that may be made. This
Chameleon-like faculty is possessed by
but few, and they viii neither be trusted
by the people nor envied by their oppo-
nents. The fatal consequences of candid
ates at variance with the declared princi-
pies Of their party have been too often and
too severely felt, and the experiences,
some of them. are too recent for us to
uDOQ n
the past, the failure TO carry out the
pledges solemnly made by the national
conventions has been, in a great measure,
due to the fact that those who were Sc
lected as standard bearers and placed in
official station, We're at heart opposed to
When it is remembered continued Mr..
duBignon, that the chairman of the state
executive committee, and the governor of
this state, both of them democrats who
command the confidence of the people of
Georgia, and who are in immediate con-
tact with the people, have openly opposed
this senatorial vote in June, Mr.. Crisp's
language in the Constitution may proper
ly be construed as an attack upon demo-
cratic organization in Georgia.
Nothing is farther from my purpose
1han to do or say anything which savors
OF dietation to the people. but realizing to
me fullest extent that the right to select
those who shall fill positions of public
trust belongs absolutely to the people, and
being one of those who believe that the
pressed, the better for all concerned.
I now stand ready to unite with Mr.
crisp in joint letter addressed to all the
democrats of Georgia, expressing our de-
sire that they shall vote directly at the
october election, at every precinct in the
state, upon the ques ton of who shall be
me senator from Georgia. If the plat
form Of the national democracy is one
which can conscientiously de-
lend as candidate, I pledge
myself to abide by that vote.
II that platform should be one which 1
cannot conscientiously defend as a can
Mdate, will fall into line in the ranks as
voter and yield obedience to the man
cate of the people thus expressed.
nope, CONCLUDED Mr.. duBignon, that
3 taf. crisp is willing to do as much in the
interest of party harmony"
Mr. duBignon will leave to-day for
Dawson, Terrell county, where he will
address the people there on ten questions