The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-05-13

and had made a speech in it's favor
came to the verge of defeat and
could only be reelected by a virtual
recantation Of his vote and speech
and in all our anti bellum days the
same class controlled this issue till
it became a fixture in Democratic
policy and the party has never been
able ''to kill it off, and like Mordicai
it still sits in the gate and right in
the way OF southern progress, if not
protected by other portions of the
Union.
The south is becoming progressive
now and the effort is being made to
rid its politics of such useless formal
ism but it can never be done within
the Democratic party, I don't believe.
All that is promised in the silver
or populist party is rehash of
this same old story Of free trade and
free silver by one and the addition of
the communistic sentiment by the
other and the only refuge for the
southerer who is tired of such things
and who desires to vote and act to
the best interest of the American in
stitutions and industries, and Of
American progress and of the Ameri-
can laborer can do go only by drop
ping his prejudices and former dis
likes, and voting with that party
whose only aim and end is to accom-
plish this great result. The issue
will he forced by necessity and it be-
comes every patriotic, public spirited
citizen to do his duty by his suffering
country. Looking at the situation
as it is my duty to me is plain one.
That duty I shall discharge to my
country and without regard to my
own interest in the matter. We are
now far behind where we should be,
and standing by the Democratic
party in it's thriftless, non progress
i've spirit will retard the day of prom
ise. I believe that in the rule and
control OF a broad minded Repubh-
can spirit lies the hope Of this suf-
fering country. In it our PROSTATE
industries will revive. Our idle ones
find employment, the sunlight of
prosperity will again illumine our
skies and joy and gladness will drive
sorrow and disappointment in exile
from our homes.
believe every one should strive
to do his duty and without prejudice
cast his vote as he seriously desires
these questions decided.
am fully convinced that the Re-
publican party offers to my country
the surest and best means of relief
and under these convictions I shall
vote and labor to that end.
These are only some Of the reasons
for my course, but they are sufficient
for me if I had no others besid.
I am fully convinced if the people
of South Carolina fully compre-
hended the situation majority of the
white citizens would see that the in
terest Of the State would be better
cared for by the Republican partJ.
As to how many will so decide that
day itself will only reveal, but if the
men in Lexington attach any mean
ing, OF are all responsible for what
they say to me, those men who think
the "old Democracy is gaining
ground OF that the Reform Move
ment is stronger than ever BEFORE"
will meet disappointment in the COM
ing judgment day. We have not
much longer to wait to see if a ma.
jority of our citizens are still willing
to hug a deluding phantom and yet
expect redress and relief from
Democratic sovereignty.
At all times I am willing to SUBJ
nit without a murmur to the verdict
Of the citizens.
Yours for truth, D. J. KNOTS.
Swansea, May 6, 1896.