The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-03-12

Feocte's F0Tan "A Department 80 1seh Az
drseslioas be freely. fsfYsy and fatty discussed
Bot Il seems there - some mistake ahs,gs X a.
The following communication % Il was re-
jecfed.--F. " ~
OeAtA. PA. February "a. Esg7.
To the FIi;sor ofthe cssizeas
7 believe that fairness, moderation
and Justice are instinctively American
virtues. Hence, the position taken ny
you Immediately ON assuming the edi-
toriaI direction Of the Citizen, that the
republicans Of this state should be az
corded minority representation in the
administration Of county affairs, will
be commended by ali men who are
fair-minded and not narrowly parti-
san.
But why draw the line? Why adj
vocate only giving the republican
party minority representation In
point OF intelligence and numbers are
not the popuIists entitled to represent
alton also? The membership Of this
party in this state Is a direct offshoOt
from the democratic party. II largely
represents the brain aud brawn-the
bone and sinew-Of our agricultural
population. The men who compose il
received their political education di-
rectIy from the lips Of our great demo-
cratic leaders. They were taught ia
follow It's example Of economy and
simplicity Ia private and in public life
and 70 revere the traditions Of It's i'm
mortal founder-old Tom Jefferson.
Are they not also entitled to represent
alton on our county boards?
There IL still another body Of citizens
who have long held a separate political
organization In our state, and among
whom are numbered some Of our best,
most earnest and worthy felIow-eiti-
zens-the prohibitionists. Should they
be treated less generously than the
republicans?
Then, II the republicans are to be ac-
corded representation, do you propose
to discriminate between the factions
the Lilly Whites and the :. Huckle-
berry and Cream" contingent? or do
you propose 70 give both factions rep
resentation?
Then, there Is still another political
organization rs separate and distinct
from the democratic party as the pop
ulists; indeed, more 80, for the popg-
lists did lend Bryan a helping I'd
and the members Of this new organi-
zati0n did not. refer to what is now
known as the republican-der1 ,,crats-
the "'alfs and 'aIfs "-haIf democrats,
half republicans; bat who rnasquer-
aded In the last campaign under the
nom de plume Of national democrats.
and 50 far as my knowledge extends,
will be lonesomeIy represented in the
next legislature by Senator Hartridge.
OF your county, and Senator Tom
Darby, Of Putnam.
Then, II your broad Iiberality will
not exclude this new political organi-
zation from representation on our
county boards, how many places will
be left for the simon-pure, unadulter-
ated type Of democrats? -those men
who had the courage of their eonvie-
lions, and disregarding the frowns and
official machette of Grover Cleveland.
lifted aloft the spOtIess banner of
William J. Bryan and followed that
peerless leader in that most marvel
lous campaign Of the century, and who
expect to make him their victorious
nominee in 1900.
/ agree with you that too bitter par
tisanism and too intense sectionalisrn
have been the bane Of our country. +
feel that
Nopent-up Utica should contract our powers
The whole boundiess continent should be ours
But should ourliberaIity be so richly
and literally prodigal as to give all
the winning hands " to the ''other
fellows" and ourselves forced 10 leave
the table with "cold feet?"
+. T.. HARRIS.