The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-19
THE GOVERNORS PLATFORM.
HE STANDS FLAT-FOOTED on THE
I6 10 PLANK.

Declares Himself Opposed TO state
Prohibition and In Favor of Local
OptfOn-He Pledges Himself in Tn
qualified Terms to Oppose "A Re-
newaI of the Convict Lease on the
Same Conditions as at Present.
Mr.. Geiger Declares He VIII Work
For the Interest Of Chatham.
That the democracy OF Chatham county
is stiu OF the rock-ribbed variety was
evinced last night when wind. rain and
lightning could not prevent large and
enthusiastic gathering TO hear Gov. At
kinson open the campaign.
odd Fellows hail was not quite filled
when Gov. Atkinson began speaking. Be
fore he had half way completed his speech
the hall was full. and the enthusiasm
was increasing in like proportion. Before
he concluded the crowd was highly en-
thusiastic. Those who had never heard
the governor before were thoroughly sat
isded OF his ability as a campaign speak
er, and even the gold democrats present
conceded that 1t was a fine speech and
the best presentation of the free silver
coinage idea that has been heard in Sa-
vannah-
The thunderstorm delayed the meeting
only a few minutes, and 1t was shortly
after $50 o'clock when President A. y.
Manucy Of the Bryan-sewalI club arose
10 introduce the governor. on the stage
besides the governor and Mr.. Manucy
were Maj. G. NJ. Ryals, A. A. Lawrence.
Esq, Col. clifford W. Anderson. Hon.
Herman Myers, Hon. w. ". Geiger, Hon.
Thos NJ Norwood, DR.. L. A Falligant,
Maj. l.. NJ Warfield. Hon. J. +. b.
Beckwith, Mr.. J. S. Collins, J. r. Cain,
Esq, j. NJ. Dreyer, Esq, and Mr.. J. p.
Myrick.
When the governor entered the hall, es-
corted by Mr.. Manucy and Mayor Myers,
the band played Dixie and the crowd
cheered. MIR. Manucy's introduction
was as follows:
Fellow Citizens: A very pleasing duty
and distinguished honor has been as
signed me this evening, that of presiding
over this meeting and introducing the
honorable gentleman who will address
you on the issues that now confront the
American people.
The democratic convention held at Chi
cago last month was the most notable po-
litical gathering since the war. 1t was an
assembly of the people not of the politi
clan. 1t was eminently earnest in It's
deliberations. and absolutely incorrupu-
bic in its integrity. Never before in the
history Of political conventions were the
delegates more sincere, more determined
and so little influenced or controlled by
party bosses. This convention was the
duly constituted authority of the party,
and was fully authorized to speak FOR the
democracy of the country. From its ac-
ton there is no appeal and every democrat
is bound by its dictum, unless he with
draws from the party organization. A re-
10 a nd Is
ting loose from true democracy, and is
virtually giving aid and sustenance to the
arch enemy of the south, the republican
party.
l feel thoroughly satisfied that the
southern people, who owe all of their ills
and suffering to republicanism, will never
support the ticket headed by Mckinley,
and which stands for plutocracy, trusts
and bossism.
The people Of this country are thor
oughly aroused and are determined to
contend for their rights. Protected trusts
government by corporate influences, class
legislation and plutocratic greed, have
brought about a spirit OF discomfort and
have caused "a popular uprising of the
people that is almost revolutionary in its
character This feeling is growing and
spreading. and will be the means Of plac-
ing in the presidential chair the distln-
guished statesman whom the democracy
has made the leader of the new dispense
ton. The people of Chatham have al
ways been true to the principles of de-
mocracy, they have never forsaken the
faith OF their fathers, and though there
are few waVering among us, doubling
as to their duty, l am constrained to be-
lieve that when they fully grasp the stu
alton, and have listened to the distin-
guished gentlemen who will address you
tonight, they will rally as one man
around the standard OF democracy and
will assist in rolling up a majority for
Bryan and Sewall which will be unprece-
dented in the history of old Chatham.
And now, my fellow-citizens, allow me
10 present to you a leader among men-a
typical Georgian, a trusted democrat. a
man of the people-our honored and be-
loved governor, Hon. w. Y. Atkinson
Gov Atkinson was greeted with enthu-
siastic cheering. Mr.. Chairman and NV
Fellow Countrymen," he said Il am here
TO talk to the democracy of Chatham
county, county the voters in which
heretofore, have known what # is to war
among themselves before the battle be-
gins, but which have always known when
TO cease fighting among themselves and
to rally TO the standard of the state and
national party. II there have been causes
of division you must now consider wheth-
er such causes shall be laid aside for the
common interests of the party.
Common purposes and common interests
fight together under the common stand
ard
There are those among us" said the
governor, who differ on the currency
question. l have always felt that democ-
racy represents more than one idea If we
differ on one issue we agree on the great
fundamental principles of the democratic
party, the economical administration Of
the government with the least taxation
necessary for its support, the rights of
the states, the rights of the individual,
free speech, free press and tariff for
revenue only"
The safety of the south depends upon
the union Of her best moral and intellec-
tual forces. The great interests Of Geor-
gia demand that the democrats of Sa-
vannah should stand together for the
supremacy Of democracy in state and
national affairs"
Gov Atkinson then took up the cur
rency question and discussed it at length.
He placed himself squarely on the Is to 1
plank of the Chicago platform. He did
not defend, but advocated it, and attack
ed the position of the gold men
Are these free silver men such cranks.'
he asked. Let us reason about this mat
ter. Is there gold enough in the world 10