The news & observer., 1898-08-25
IGNORANCE AND POVERTY
MUssELLWHlTE REPLIES TO THE ASPER-
SlONS OF EDMOND.
A Number of the Populst Advisory Commit
tee Insults the Poor Men in
the Party.
Howellsville, n. c., Aug. 20.


To the Public: Perhaps the above
heading is the first of its kind ever seen
with reference to the good old town
ship of Howellsville, Robeson county
The charge is correct; we have lgno-
rance. and of poverty; We have safe
abundance. But thank heaven neither
is Il crime.
In last weeks issues of the Populist
and the Caucasian Mr.. S. A. Edmond,
the honorable Clerk of the Superior
Court of Robson county, i'll the most
ridiculous sarcasm and irony assails the
intelligence, or rather the ignorance and
poverty of my neighbor. Mr.. Joe Nj.
Wilson, and myself. | shall speak more
pertinently of myself. Mr.. Wilson is
capable and able to stand his own
ground.
This man of intelligence and learn
ing. high in honor and much to be prllS-
ed, says | am Il man of little intelligence.
Poverty is ut my door, etc, all of which
| confess with Il deep feeling of sadness
and regret and never before did | show
this ignorance more plainly than the day
/ became Il member of the populist dele
CATION from Howellsyille township that
helped nominate this man for the office
he now fills-though with shame to the
name Of Robeson county. | again real
firIned my ignorance by doing all IN my
power to elect him. / am perhaps as he
says far below the average in intelll-
gence. but like many other honest men
| joined the populist party with honest
pride and purpose of heart. | put faith
in it's leaders. 1t was pictured to me III
glowing colors as the party of the poor,
through its medium happiness and pros
perity were to come to our county, its
mission was to fight for the people and
for the reform of abuses against which
the people have complained. its platform
was built on principles of justice and
right. We find today that it has through
its mercenary leaders like Mr.. Edmond,
sold its birthright Iockstock and barrel
to the Republican party, with its voters
as so many slaves.
And now because the honest white men
are turning back to the Democratic par
ty. refusing to follow these unprincipled,
traitorous leaders. who are willing to sac
rifce every principle for a piece of pie,
their circumstances in life must be
ridiculed through the medium of the
press.
This honorable Mr. Edmond leader
of his party: n member of the State Ex-
ecutiye committee of the populist party:
man who four years ago claimed TO be
the poor mans friend, is the first man
of any party in Robeson county ever
known to ridicule and make light of the
poverty of his race. Yes, we are poor;
but sometimes amid the novels of the
poor honesty of life, purity Of character
and love of virtue abounds. ! am poor
mot able to wear fine clothes-bHt |
helped buy those of Mr. Edmonds. am
not able to build fine houses in town but
helped build his. / am ignorant but was
considered of sufficient intelligence to he
liSt-taker for the taxes of my township
last year. | am poor but have enough
intelligence and love of honor to oppose
the rearing of an illegitimate family in
sight Of the court house.
BY the help of God the good citizens
of Robeson county shall know the char
acter Of this deceiver of the people, and
when known they will sprun him as they
would a devil. In regard to Mr.. Wilson
he is charged with being sanctified.
"Sanctified Joe, etc" / don't know his
religious views. | only know him to be
consistent member of the Baptist
church. Another fact | know, this is
free country and we can all worship God
according to the dictates of our CON
science and no one dare question the
right-all may slur and rdicule
Mr.. Edmond has never been charged
with being sanctified but on the other
hand he has been charged. and truth
fully so with being Il defamer and black
guard.
He charges Mr. Wilson with ''plowipg
an OK, making little cotton and corn"
What crime to plow an OK! Poor man
and farmer you who toll from morning
till night, in sunshine and rain en-
deavoring to make an honest living for
Yourself and family. | beg YOU on elcc
tinn day TO remember this. Think of the
difference. Well do we remember four
years ago when this man was galIoping
over the country crying help. protection
and aid for the poor. We in our igno-