The representative., 1900-04-19
SPEECH AT ATLANTA
GREAT POPULIST GATHERING At
ATLANTA, GA.-SPEECHES BY IG.
NATIUs DONNELLY, WHARTON
BAKER AND JOE A.
PARKER.
Extract From Mr.. DOnnelly's Speech
4 Taken From the Atlanta C0nsti-
tuition, q Bitterly Partisan
e.
Democratic Sheet.
Mr.. Donnelly said in part:


II am not here to abuse anyone. All
Of the people desire to do right Nc
American would cast a ballot that would
injure his country.
THE Peoples party is an outgrowth
Of the census of 1890. This may seem
queer fact. This census threw a
flood of light on our country.
"The census showed that our popula-
tion had increased rs per cent; our
wealth 45 per cent and our mortgage
debt 1856 per cent. Our farm owning
families had increased 21a per cent and
our tenant farmers 4O1a per cent The
census showed further that three one
hundredths Of one per cent Of the popu-
lation owned one fifth of all the wealth
Of the country.
These were appalling results. This
state OF affairs could not continue with
out wrecking the country. If 100 years
Of government had brought us to this
pass, what would so years further bring
Us to?"
Here Mr.. Donnelly quoted some de-
tailed statistics on the mortgage debt,
crime and insanity, taken from the last
census bulletins. He referred to them
Is terrible facts, and said that they
proved the degradation Of the American
people.
''The people," he said, began to
think. They said to themselves these
evils came about under the administra-
tons Of the Democratic and Republican
parties, and we must look to a new
party to eradicate them. The birth Of
the AhiE6 party was the most magnifi-
cent kRrss1ng of the intelligence OF the
peobi5 1 nave ever known.
when we said in the Omaha plat
form that the sham battle over the
tariff had brought this country to the
verge OF ruin. the land resounded with
the asinine laughter OF our enemies.
There was scarcely a bad measure
passed in congress that did not have
the support of Democratic votes" (Ap-
plause)
Mr.. Donnelly quoted some statistics
at this point ITO show how the Demo-
cratic party had fallen Off,"
The Democratic party, Mr. Donnelly
said, had been forced to declare for
free silver by the increase in power and
votes shown by the Populists.
Before the Chicago convention, he
said, the Democratic leaders saw that
their party was headed for the grave
yard unless some change was made.
(Great applause.)
They stole our principles and bribed
our leaders," said the speaker. I'VE
had to prove that we were the original
free silver people. Our leaders, at least
some OF them,- were hungry for Office.
Ihese Weavers, these Buffers were
walking around with their tongues
hanging down to their waists. hungry
for office.
I'VE have seen Senator Allen willing
to barter away the principles of the par
ty for office. I understand that he nas
been down here in Georgia trying to
win you away from your party.
1T is criminal. 1t is awful that we
can't have party of our own. The
Democrats won't let us alone"
Referring to the fusionists. he said.
GLORY be to God, we have sloughed OF
these rascals. They won't dare show
their noses at our Cincinnati conven-
tion." A voice in the audience called
out: I'VE won't have any Bryan head
quarters there, either"
NO." said the speaker, "they won't
have word to say
THE Spanish war;" he continued
was inaugurated and carried through |
to take the minds of the people away |
from the great issue of free silver. The |
free silver Issue today is fatter than a |
founder"
He urged his hearers to circulate the !
doctrines Of the Peoples party by word
OF mouth, and thus circumvent a mr.
chased press. "The state of Georgia.
he said, "can be brought into the Peo- |
pies party rank If every man will put
his shoulder to the wheel"
In conclusion Mr.. Donnelly said:
When you elect Wharton Barker
president and me vice-president, we will
invite all of You to come up to see us.
and you will find magnificent country.
filled with peace and prosperity.
I may never come down here and
see you again, unless to thank you for
electing me vice-president."
OREGON.