The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-03-26
The Alliance vs.. Ti|n3D

| he A|hanCG vs.. IIND0aO
PRESIDENT KcITT'S ADVICE TO THE
| SOUTH CAROLINA REFORMERS.
He Takes Direct Issue wan Senator Tu,r,r
His Plan for Keeping FREQ to Vote for
olvor Candidates This Year.
Editor Register / have read with
great deal of interest the letter OF
ReV. R. II. Reid to Senator Tillman,
published in tho last Issue of tho Cot.
ton Plant. With all due dcfcronco to
Senator illman's opinion, I believe
the suggestions OF Mr.. Reid are wise
and should not be dismissed without
careful cousiie ration. The issue il
raised on the question of sending del
egates to the National Democratic Con
vention. Mr.. Reid, in common with
many true Reformers, has absolutely
lost faith in the National Democratic
Party, and, guided by patriotism and
religion, has determined to take no
part whatever in sending delegates to
the Chicago convention.
30 far rs resolutions and platform
are concerned the Reformers OF this
State are practically a unit. The prin-
clples OF jefferson, Jackson and Cal
| houp, as cnunciated in the financial de-
mands OF the Farmers Alliance, have
been adopted. 1t should be the sim
cere desire of every Reformer to pre-
serve that unity upon the basis Of
these principles, and strengthen the
| IOrCeS that in
mentous battle for relief this year.
The iReformers OF South Carolina can
harmonize upon a platform in the Nav
| State Convention without trouble but
| tncy cannot harmOnlze upon sending O.
delegation to the Chicago Convention.
Many of them do not intend to vote for
the nominees of that convention under
any circumstances. They are satisfied
that the financial platform of the
South Carolina Democracy will be en-
| dorsed by the st. Louis Conventions OF
Jul y 2Zd, and tho great struggle for re-
lief this year will be between tho Joint
candidates OF these conventions aud
the candidates OF the Republican PARTY.
No one doubts the sincerity of Senator
Ttllman in his efforts to secure relief,
but he cannot restore confidence in the
National Democratic Party as the
party OF the people, and attempt to do
so Will operate against the progress of
reform. His declaration in favor of
| representation in the Chicago Conyen-
tlon forces those who do not intend
to again surrender, or even ieopardizc,
their principles by assuming party ob-
legations against them to adopt pol
| icy OF action that will protect them.
| selves without question in supporting
their platforms at the same time do
nothing, If possible, that will weaken
the reform forces. They cannot with
consistency participate in the election
of delegates to the Chicago Conven-
tion.. If the powers Of the May Con-
ventlon were limited, as formerly, to
the election of delegates to the Nation
al Convention and member of the ma
tlonal executive committee, the best
course, pCrhapL, would 6e to ignore
that convention altogether.
But full latitude is expressly given
! for amendments to the Constitution,
by this provision unnecessary trouble
may arise II the convention should fall
into the power Of those hostile to oul'
policy OF reform. There will be no
need OF another political organization
II the RefOrmerS can harmoniZe in SUD-
port or the nominees of the st. Louis
] Convention. If Il delegation is sent 10
the Chicago Convention, let those send
| ing it take the entire responsibility.
If they can see their way clear to bolt
( that convention, let them do so; the
Reformcrs can ther unite upon an elcc-
toral ticket in favor of the St. Louis
nominees. If there is no bolt new
political party can be at once organ
| lZed In sympathy with the St. Louis
Convention. In regard to participa-
tion in the May Convention, | cmpha-
size the warning against assuming any
party obligation that may prevent a
Reformer from voting for the repre-
sentatives Of the reform policy at the
general election. After the experience
Of 1892, Reformcrs who will 60 fctter-
ed to tho general election are unwor-
thy OF tho name, and cannot be de-
pended upon as workers for relief |
believe the best plan TO adopt in the
present complex condition will be to
exemplify the doctrine Of tho Farm
ers' Alliance and place principles
abcve party. The Farmers Alliance
has forced the great issues upon the
country. Let all true Rcformers be
faithful to them. If necessary, form
slleer clubs, or in cubs Of any kind
plodge yourselves to support the Re-
form platform all the way through the
general election. Mako tho pledge Sd
SItonS ana pOSlIlVC tnaL you convince
yourself and everybody else that you
intend to keep it. Go into your Dem
ocratic clubs, and at once offer rcsolu-
tions embcdying this pledge If they
are not adopted, take no part in the
election Of delegates to your county
convention. If your county convention
declines to adopt this pledge, take nc
part in tho election Of delegates to the
| State Convention
Whatevor may be the result, yor
will be free to support tho representa-
tlves OF reform at the general election
and the responsibility for division O
the reform forces, if made necessary
Will rest upon those who 90 into the
National Democratic Convention. I boe
those who have asked my advice
where L have not answered personally
to accept this as an expression of my
opinion. JOS. [, KEITr.
| -----~-zzzSS 90 O.
This is the centennial year Of the
Democratic party. The party came
into existence as o national organza