The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-03-19
TILlMAN IS READY TO BOLT.

llllMAN IS READY TO BOLT.
mo Junior Senator Paving tho Nay for
trouble at Chlcaao--What Viii the Senlor
Senator Do About In
REIDVILLE, S. c., Feb. s, 1896.
non. Is. II. Tlllman, Washington, ID. c.:
Dear Sir: After my kindcst regards
10 you personally, write to-day to say
Cnat have read with great pleasure
your speech in the Senato chamber on
the S9th ult. 1t has tho ring OF your
speeches in 1890 on State politics, which
lrst drew my attention to you and led
me 10 admire your good sense, courage
and ability, and mado me a steadfast
friend and supporter. | was born and
reared near John G.. Calhoun and hav @
always voted the Democratic ticket
While | am Democrat Of the type Of
Jefferson. Calhoun and Jackson, I am
thoroughly disyusted with such Demo-
cracy as We have exemplitied in Clevo-
land, Carlisle and their supporters. 1t
Is only q namc-a shell all the princi-
plies OF true Democracy arc extracted
from it.
| presume that in the month OF May
our Democratic clubs will be called to-
gcther to send delegates to the Nation
i'll Democratic convention which meets
mkt July in Chicago to nominate can
didatcs for President and Vice Presi-
dent. My religion and my patriotism
havo produced such convictions Of
right, truth and duty that my con.
science forbids mo to take any part
whatever in sending delegates to an
other National Democratic convention
since the control Of the party has fallen
into the hands Of tho Shylocks OF Wall
street.
AS you have doubtless soon In the
papers, the Populists and the free sill
YER men will both hold national con-
vcntions in st. Louis on the 22d of July,
and, after having adopted their plat
forms, will, by conference committees,
:tgree to nOr4ipato the samo candidates
for President and Vico President. l
am convinced that our only hope to em-
ancipate the toiling masses from tho
grasp of organized monopoly and to
drive tho money changers out Of the
tclnple OF our liberties is to enlist under
this banner, and / have determined to
do so. [ agree with you that our pres
ent financial system is q patent con-
orlvancc with thieves at one cId and
dishonest officials at the other to rob
The American people,"
Tho following | think would be a
good plan to cary oar S.;+to ;0:n the
national reform ranks. You are aware
shat the reform movement in South
Carolina in 1880, under your leadership
captured tho State Democracy. Can
we not capture it again this year for
the genuine National Reform party on
che issue OF the free coinage OF silver,
and send our delegates to the FREQ sil
yer convention at ST. Louis? Will not
this fusion ticket command tho support
D.,E< 4.
tied States. and give Us glorious vic
tory over cOvctOuSncSs and corporate
greed, which are tho chief causes Of
all our troubles? On tho silver issue
the Democracy OF our State will be
nearly u unit.
WHl nO5 such course send you into
tho silver convention with an undiyid-
cd State vt your back, ard increase
your chances OF nomination for Presi-
dent? This is what your friends in
south Carolina would like to see. |
believe that the candidate who receives
the joint nomination Of the Populists
and free silver men at ST. Louis will
be our next President. May God 80
| ordcr it, is my humble prayer.
1t seems to mo that you eau car ry
the State without any serious division
among the Democrats Such course
| Will heal our divisions, and prevent the
organization Of another political party
and give MS again true Democracy, i
may be under another name, bu
"what's in namo ?''
hope you will give mo your view,
on the plan | have suggested. You,
reply will not bo made public without
your permission. Stamp enclosed. With
best wishes Tor your success, | remair
yours respectfully,
| II. 81. REID.