The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-27
mr.. Atwater for Congress.

To the Editor Having noticed several
communications in the past few days from
Democrats urging and advising their par
ty in this, the 18th Congressional Dis
trict not to only endorse the Hon. John
w. Atwater, but to give him a full and
feel ii my duty a Populist to not
only thank them but to commend their
course. While a great many Of the Dem
Ocratic party openly condemned the action
of the committee in endorsing Mr.. At
water in 1898. yet | felt then and know
now that it was the wise course for them
to take. No one will dare say but that
it had it's effect in uniting the white men
in the State.
You will remember that the Populst
party was composed of white men who
had always been true and loyal Demo-
Gratis and that they had just cause for
seeking relief and that they were not
as mean and debased as the Democratic
press pictured them to be. wish to say
just here, that cause did more to draw
the Pcpulists into the Republican party
than any other one thing. The majority
of their men were not mean and corrupt
as you represented them TO be.
They were men who had always been
good Democratic citizens, and never left
the party until after Cleveland had so
cruelty betrayed it, and in condemning us
you must upheld the Cleveland admin
istraton. which none of your speakers
dare do. and | commend them for it.
Things continued as they were until this
man of nerve, f. NJ. Simmons. came to
the front and said to the upper ten
that North Carolina was composed of
good. honest white men, who had the
same interest at stake, but from one
cause and another they had become sep
arated and were fighting each other, and
that the time had come for a halt. He
talked and communicated with white men
from all parts Of the State, regardless Of
party affiliations. and said to them, that
you shall have a Voice in the affairs of
the State. that you are interested in the
same reforms that we are. The same
feeling grew alike in the Populist and
Democratic parties; the most conserva-
tive people felt the effects and gave us
their support in electing an honest and
upright Populist for Congressman, man
who has voted every time with the Dem
ocratic delegation. | say without fear of
contradiction, that John Atwater has
done more than any other man in the
district to consolidate the white men
and il renominated he will do more. Take
Chatham county, for instance, composed
of 200 white voters who had been elect
ing the black ticket from 1000 to 1880
majority. The Populsts have been so
unjustly abused that they were afraid
to look at a Democrat paper, but when
you came out openly and said to US that
you were willing to treat us as one OF
yourselves, then it that the better
class of Populists joined in their great
fight and what was the result? We cap
tured the State; we carried the 4th Con-
gessional district by a handsome major
ity, and with the Populists and Republi
cans combined in Chatham, We came in
seven votes of electing our sheriff and
the balance OF the ticket was close by;
and we would have elected all but for
some unwise remarks made in the DEM
ocratic county convention.
Some Of you may think that you can
continue your old abuse, and turn all OF
cur men down this year, but | venture
TO say it will be treading on dangerous
ground.
AS for myself | expect to vote the
white mans ticket, yet there are others
who will not stand to be treated with
silent contempt. We want John Atwater
again and we want him bad, and shall
feel that we have been overlooked il
We don't get him. We want to come into
your conventions and help nominate him,
and we will support and work for the
nominees OF your convention. In fact,
We are working with you and feel that
we are one Of you, but would be very
much mortified to know that you would
turn down one of our best men without
a cause, only to give his place to one
Of your men who has gone the rounds
abusing every man who has ever voted
the Populist ticket Would it be treating
Us right to do it? Could You eXpe It the
rank and file of the Populst party to be-
lieve you when you come and tell US that
we are all fighting for the same cause
and that a white man is a white man
and must be heard.
J. H. WILLIAMS,
Chatham county.