People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-09-04

vo'cs of the people would scarcely
be heard, their true situations and
needs never known to the dispe nser
of public patronage, and if it were
done, it would still be victory for
one man power and precedent for
its use by succeeding administrations
not in sympathy with good govern
ment, as we honestly belle 70 Mr..
B yam to be.
What then would cur western
brothers expect us to dor VIVA. ask
of us2 Or what ought we we to ex-
pect or ask of them?
At our state convention held on
the 9Th, and 9th, of the present month
twice charged in open convention
that the delegates from Florida had
not properly understood the wishes
of our people, aud that they alone
of the entire delegation pl esent, rep.
resentlng nearly all the counties in
the state and numbering 162 on roll
call, delivered the nomination of
anything but a straight ticket at st.
Louis wise and not voice was raised
to contradict or answer, / men ion
this as evidence of the feelings of
our people and to show how impos-
sible would be the task of inducing
them to accept of Sewall also. They
will Loyalty abide the action of the
convention at ST. Louis and if Mr..
Sewall is withdrawn will give o
most enthusiastic support 10 Bryan
and Watson, but they will not con
sent to yield all, and if the constituted
authorities Of party attempt to force
them do so they will largely remain at
home on ele otion day; few wall
support the Republicans out of q
feeling of recklessness joined TO the
hope of securing better state gov
eminent, later converts will 60 back
TO the Democracy and the total re-
suit will be the practical snnihilation
Of the only organized sentiment in
Florida in opposition to the corpora
ton control OF state and nation.
Another danger ought not to be
underestimate, and that is the dan
ger that every other issue will be
swallowed up by that of free silver.
Already the public mind is beoom
ing COL fused over it and we are be-
ing classed simply as free silverites
The rsater issues are being over
looked and forgotten, and even our
own speakers, because of the promln-
ence which We have permitted 1t to
receive through our connection with
the silver Republicans and tho Demo
cratic party, nave not infre quently
OF late, themselves almost forgotten
that il was not the main issue and
nave SAID little about anything else.
| | a halt In this direction is not called
by the time BrJ an IS in the pr9sl-
dental chair, if elected, the assertion
will be made and generally accepted
that free silver was the only thing
really promised, or earnestly demand
ed, and that will be the extent of
monetary reform that will be granted
1 do not say that this assuredIy will
be so, but that there is grave dan
ger of it, and that it is an added
reason why we should be careful
now not to yield further of the power
TO direct public thought which Or
ganizslon gives
But again, what ought the western
Populists to do. Yea ask my opin-
ION and | am now ready to give a
direct answer, having at such length
reviewed the situation that my an .
swer might rest upon the facts and
arguments thus advanced and not be
thought to be dictated by a stub
born pride of opinion, or an unpa
triotic adherence to party.
My opinion is, and there fingers in
my mind not the faintest shadow of
doubt, that your true and only safe
course is TO stand by the action of
the St. Louis convention, put forth q
full electoral ticket for Bryan and
Watson and unless Sewal is with
drawn and Watson substituted vote
it to a man.
Until Sewall is withdrawn and
Watson substituted we have no evil
dence of the sincerity of the Demo
cratic party that should induce us to