Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-05

populist party because I was msled, I
was led to believe that the only hope for
the people was through this party. I
have allowed my eyes to be opened, how
ever, and I can now see that no honest
white man can afford to further follow
this party. The fusion at Montgomery
few days since convinced me beyond any
question that in order to preserve white
supremacy the white people of Alabama
must of necessity stand together
The fact that Mr.. GOODWIN recently
voted to seat the negro Murray as
member of congress from South Carolina
is further evidence that we, as white
people, are on dangerous ground.
When the populist county ticket Of this
county was virtually nominated by negro
votes, and If elected it will be done by
negro votes.
Now, my countrymen, in all seriousness
and candor, appeal to the white people
of Dale county, among whom nave ilVeo
for forty years, to quit this rep-pop-nig
business and come over on the side OF
good government and white supremacy
and cast their ballots for Captain john
ston and the entire ticket Yours truly,
DAVID T. STEVANS.
w. II, Smell Speaks.
Editor Star:
For four years voted the populist tick
ct and worked for its success in every
cause l thought 1t was right. have been
convinced of the error of my way and
can't longer go with my old political asso-
ciates. l am not republican ana never
was, and do not expect to vote repub-
lican ticket If l know myself. shall vote
and work for the ticket headed by Cap
tain Joseph f. Johnston of JEFFERSON ana
call upon the white people of Dale coun-
ty to do the same, for it means white su-
premacy and good government; yours
truly, w. ii. SNELL
From T. J. Jones.
Skipperville, Ala, June 20, 1886.
Editor Star:
I have voted the populist ticket since
1892. In August.I expect to vote the tick
ct headed by Joseph F. Johnston. The
fusion ticket headed by Goodwin is too
bitter pill for me to swallow.
T. J. JONES.
From A. A. Mcknight.
In 1892 1 strayed off from the democrat
ic party and, having made up my mind
to return to the party again, feel 1t my
duty as an American citizen and as citl-
zen of Dale county to give my reasons
for so doing.
In 1892, when Kolb bolted the demo-
cratic convention, the third party told
me that a majority of the delegates were
instructed for him (Kolb), and that he
was really the democratic nominee and
etc Always desiring to be democrat
of the purest type, 1 cast my ballot and
worked for Kolb. Then again in 1894 they
told me the regular organized democratic
party had become SO corrupt that the
true democratic party had resolved 1T
self into a Jeffersonian democratic party,
which embraced all the original princi-
pies of the democratic party, and again
voted for the ticket headed by Kolb,
claiming myself to be a better democrat
than any man voting the ticket headed
by Governor Jones. In 1896, what? Why,
I am called upon to vote ticket COM
posed partly of republicans, who publicly
announce their intention to support the
national republican ticket, which, If
understand it, were l to support the
ticket headed by Goodwin / would be in
directly supporting the national republi-
can ticket, SO you see inch by inch they
carried me thus far, but alas have seen
the error of my way, and, thank God.
have the courage and manhood to turn
therefrom and return to the folds OF the
democratic party, and l appeal to my
friends who have strayed off to stop and
consider, as 1 have done, and believe
they will do as 1 am going to do-vote
the democratic ticket headed by Joseph
f. Johnston from governor to constable.
Wishing much success to you and the
democratic party, am yours truly,
A. A. MCKNIGHT.
From G.. E. Rolan.
Charlton, Ala, June 20, 1896.
Editor Star:
AS telling political experiences seem to
be in order, l ask your indulgence while
1 relate mine.
In 1892 1 Joined the Farmers alliance,
which 1 was informed was a non-politi-
cal organization. For nearly two years
we met and discussed such things as we
supposed to be to our mutual interest.
Everything went on smoothly until just
before the campaign in 1892; then the
politicians made their appearance-and
how sweet they talkedN They said the
only chance for relief was through the
Farmers alliance, and started move
ment--called reform movement or
course they said all true alliancemen
would stand by it; that it was democrat
ic; that they were going to raise the price
of produce; that they were going to have
the government loan money at from to
per cent; that Kolb was the best dem
ocrat and had done more for the demo-
cratic party than any man in Alabama,
and many other things that could be
mentioned; but anyway went to work
for the great reform movement, as they
called it, supporting Kolb and telling my
friends If they wanted to be genuine DEM
ocrats they would have to vote for Kolb.
When Governor Jones was elected in 1892
I felt as though we were to have repub-
lican administration. OF course found
every fault possible with Governor Jones
administra ton, hoping to prove to my
friends that I was on the right track
that is that belonged to the only dem
ocratic party existing. So In 1894 l told
my neighbors how the organized demo-
Gratis stuffed ballot boxes, stole votes, ETC.
At that time l did not know that our
party would be guilty of ballot box stuff
ing, as they were in the primaries, If
am correctly informed; but back to the
subject. Well, our ticket was defeated,
and immediate ly after Jones was elected
in 1894 was almost afraid to leave home
for fear Wall street shark would catch
me; but finally ventured out, and in my
wanderings around somebody happened
to say to me, Il suppose your party and
the republican party are considering fu-
sion." What? / said that's an organized
lie; 1 belong to the genuine democratic
party-opposed to protection. opposed to
Wall street and opposed to negro equal
ity, etc.-and when I went home 1 told
my neighbors that the organized had
started another lie-they are telling 1t
now that our party and the republican
party are likely to fuse. 1 also told them
not to pay any attention to such stuff.
Well, it is needless to say that was mis-
4a1xox FOR t1xv diI f,1ca and OaNa tWO