The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-10-09
Mr.. Miller,s Rssignation.

Chairman POpulist State Commit
tee, Nashville, Tenn.--Dear SIR:
The refusal of the Populist Commit
tee to accept the proposal of the
Democratic Committee recently
made it to fuse or co-ally the two
parties in this campaign in support
Of Bryan for President, las well as the
personal assurance Of its members,
practically leaves no hope of un-
ion of the Bryan forces in this State,
The fact that the Democratic party
proposed to concede to us fully as
many, If not more, electors than we
are entitled to according to the rela-
tive numerical strength of the two
parties, and that the Populist party
refused the proposal, makes the Pop
ulist party responsible for the fail
ure to unite the Bryan forces and all
the disasters that may follow such
action. YfI rY.. n
In view of this action of the Popu-
list Committee, the only question
that remains to be answered by the
patriotic Populists of Tennessee is:
Do we desire the election of VIM. ].
Bryan as President of the United
States and the benefits to the COM
mon people that would follow such
election? Do we prefer him to Mr..
Mckinley and perpetuity of pres
ent conditions and their attendant
misery?
If we do prefer the election of
Bryan we can only evince that fact
by using those means that will ac-
complish that object, to my mind, so
devoutly to be wished.
Since it is true that Bryan and
Sewall is the ticket of the Demo-
cratic party in Tennessee every vote
that is cast for Bryan and Watson
without fusion, as at present we are,
is in the end as surely cast against
Bryan as though it were cast for
Mckinley and Hobart. Any such
action on the part of our party is ut
terly antagonistic to all of its pro-
fessions and principles, in that the
Populist party has ever avowed its
willingness to unite with any party
rate the deplorable condition of our
country. s'
The profession that measures is
more than men and country more
than party has been the buttress and
bell tower of our political faith.
Admitting that Mr.. Sewall is not a
desirable man for Vice-President,
still VIM. J. Bryan will be the same
man-the same Bryan-the same
President-as though elected with
Mr.. Watson or any one else, and his
election, it matters not who his asso-
ciate may be, will demonstrate the
ability of the people to govern them
selves and dominate the corpora
tions of the United States. 1t is but
question, therefore, under present
conditions, repeat, of Bryan or Nc
Klnley, of patriotism or plutocracy,
and upon that issue l take my
choice.
do not intend to be made an in
strument in the election of McKin-
ley. / believe that the action of the
POpulist Committee in this crisis is
not only a violation of our funda-
mental principles, but suicidal to
the party as well, in that when our
people are made to see the attitude
in which they are placed 1 sincerely
believe and trust that they will
stand with me and demonstrate their
faith by their present work.
L believe it to be the solemn duty
of every Populist in Tennessee to
support Bryan by voting for Bryan
and Sewall in the November cleo
tion.
This 1 DO not only intend to do
but 1 shall use every honorable
means in my power to influence my
fellow-citizens to do likewise.
1 duly appreciate the confidence
that the Populist party has reposed
in me and the high honor it has con-
ferred on me by nominating me as a
candidate for elector for the State al
large, and believe that the course
indicated by me is the only one con-
sistent with that confidence and
that honor.
l, therefore, now formally tender
to you my resignation as candidate
for elector for the State at large, as
by this course alone I can follow the
dictates of duty.
With assurance of kindest regards,
1 am, with great respect.
JAMES 4. MILLER.
Hartsville, Tenn, Oct. 8, 1895.
The following letter was at the
time addressed to Chairman Cole