The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-10-21
DUTY'S DEMAND.
1t Has First Claim and Then
Personal Friendship.
HOT LETTER TO NONNETT
Rev. John vinton Potts Tells the Attor-
ney General In Unequivocal Lam
guage why He VIII Not
Vote For Him.

"A very interesting correspondence
has taken place, which is explained be-
low. Attorney General Monnett made
touching and fearful appeal to Rev.
John Vinton Potts to vote for him and
save him from the certain humiliating
defeat that awaits him. This is the
reply, which every citizen should read:
North Robinson, o., Sept. 30, 1897.
Hon. f. s. Monnett, Columbus, o:
My Dear Sir-Your portrait came
duly to hand. 1t brings up many
pleasant memories. 1t makes the
temptation strong to vote for you at
the coming autumn election, as you
are a candidate for reelection to q
state Office on the Republican ticket,
the party with which l have mostly
voted and worked since 1856. But in
1896 l worked and voted for William
j. Bryan.
/ have personal reasons for desiring
to vote for you. / knew you when a
boy on your fathers farm. / have
known you ever since, and have seen
you develop into your present man
hood and position as an accomplished
states attorney. Our friendship, too,
has been abiding for each other all
these years. / esteem you very high
ly. Believe me when l tell you that
1t Is one Of the hardest things in my
life for me to say that II will not
vote for you" unless you can honest
ly assure me that you are in no way
in sympathy with the present infa-
nous financial policy of the Republic
an party leaders. This you can hard
ly do, as l understand that you in
dorsed the st. Louis Republican plat
form of 1896.
You are part of political machin-
cry now squeezing the life and lib
erty out of this nation. The present
apparent prosperity is largely specious
and manufactured for effect.
The rise in grain is largely due to
the foreign demand. The English and
the gold standard men are willing to
work it for all it is worth, to effect
the fall elections. Instead of raising
a corruption fund as they did in 1896,
they are spending their money now in
paying higher prices for wool, grain
and stock.
England can afford to pay the farm
ers premium this fall in order to
maintain our present financial system,
and then collect that premium from
the consumers Of bread, clothing and
N In nd nNk
lose. The Republican party is pledged
to maintain the present infamous
financial system till England and other
eastern powers consent to a change.
/ will not vote for any man who tame
ly submits to such an outrage and in
suit.
That you may understand my atti-
tude l will accompany this letter with
my reasons for not voting for McKin-
ley in 1896. The issues involved in
this campaign are substantially the
same. 1t involves he supremacy of
the party in power and the mainte-
nance Of gold monometallism. I am a
silver Republican. My reasons last
fall were given in four numbers. The
fourth is mislaid, and so / cannot give
1t. But these three numbers are suf-
flcient. The fourth may turn up in
the future.
When you have read my reasons you
will scarcely blame me for refusing to
vote the Republican ticket with the
same personal friendship, as in the
past.
1t Is not intended in this paper to
directly advance the interests political
Of Mr.. Bryan, but l do wish to make
emphatic the fact that the same gen.
eral principles are involved in the
state election of 1897 that were made
prominent in 1896, that we have not
receded one jot from the position TAX
en- in the national campaign of 1896,
memorable in the history of this coun-
try, and that even the dearest friend
ship must not lead anyone to betray
his country into the hands of a foreign
power, but that friendship must, in
some sense, give way before the larger
loyalty to ones country, loyalty to hui
manity, loyalty to principle and the
public interests. With kindest personal
regards, l am yours,
INIn NINrTNNr nnru,c