Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-10
OUR LETTER BOX.
Jasper, Sept. '.

Jasper, Sept. 2. To the State Herald:
 Those democrats who have bolted the party because they can give no counte- nance to the movement to have dis honest dollar" are supposed to be actu- ated by feelings of personal honesty and a desire to protect the honor and integri- ty of the government.
 The Montgomery Advertiser poses as the leader of that element, who claim to be so pure and honest that they are forced to desert the democratic party on account of what they are pleased to call it's attack on the credit of the govern ment by it's advocacy of the free and un- limited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1. The following is taken from the editorial column of the Advertiser, print ed on the 11th or 18th of June last when the contest for the gubernatorial nom- ination was being waged between Cap tain Johnston and MT. Clarke:
 Easily Answered.''
 'Fayette, June 10. "Editor Advertiser:
 ''To settle much discussion of the Ques- tion here I write to ask if the Advertiser will support the nominee of the demo- cratic party if the convention puts a plank in the platform declaring for the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to I? Also what course will the Advertiser pursue if the na- tional democratic convention commits the democratic party to the free and un- limited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1? Will you support the nominee?
 "R. l.. WINDHAM." We do not know what motive prompt ed the writer of the above, because time and again the Advertiser has un- eouivocally stated that 1t would abide by the action of the state and national democratic conventions. and we now reit- crate the statement. There has never been any room for doubt as to this pa- pers loyal support of democratic nomi- nees. Many of those who sought to ere ate such an impression a few years ago are acting with the enemy, and some of those pursuing the same tactics now will in less than twelve months be opposing the democratic party and its candidates" Thus it will be seen that the Adver- tiser, while 1t was urging the nomination of MT. Clarke, made direct and specific promise to support the nominees of the democratic conventions, state and na- tional, even if it committed the party to the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to l.
 Was that promise made for the purpose of deceiving the democratic voters of Alabama to enable the Advertiser to ex- ert its influence with them as a demo- cratic paper towards securing gold stand ard delegates to the national democrat | ic convention? sfs ta
 Charity begins at home. So long as the Advertiser follows its present course | in the face of the June promise, thereby violating every instinct of decency and | honor, and direg arding its own promises. solemnly made to the democratic party of Alabama, it is in no position to talk of the | impairment of the national faith and credit. It must first purge itself of false- hood and dishonor before 1t can convince the people of Alabama that it's course Is actuated by its contempt for dishonest money" Let it's course coincide with what any honest man would expect from another after receiving direct promise on a subject. and then it may with pro-