The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-02
IN Nh. SIMMONS DEFENSE
Ex-Chairman Pou Replies to C.. n.
vancc,s LAtter-The Unfair Attacks
OF democrats on Mr.. simmons

Mr.. Editor:
I have read the letter of Mr.. C. n.
Vance to DR.. Faison. I regret that Mr..
Vance wrote the letter. but I feel sure
that IL will not injure Mr.. Simmons.
Mr.. vance's animus and u~nfairness
|over-reach their object.
All who know Mr.. Simmons know
that for the past twelve years he a
been a consistent advocate of silver at
the IL ratio. When the national de-
imocracy seemed about 10 antagonize
that ratio Mr.. Simmons was openly an
advocate OF coinage at 16 10 /.
In 1894. / was chairman or the demo-
cratic state executive committee, and I
had frequent conversations with Mr..
Simmons during that campaign. and I
know he was for silver at the estab-
Ilished ratio. During that campaign
General Carr was president OF the
state Association of Democratic Clubs.
IA convention of said clubs was called
to meet at Raleigh in September. Gen.
leral Carr invited a prominent member
Iof President Cleveland's cabinet to adj
dress the convention OF clubs. This
cabinet officer was an able and elo-
lquent advocate Of the presidents gold
standard policy. Our state convention
in August, 81. had declared for the
coinage of silver at 16 to 1, and for
Immediate action. 1t was felt that a
lgold standard speech at the convention
of clubs would do great harm. / con-
lsulted with Mr.. Simmons and other
democrats, n acting upon their ad-
vice, / enclosed a copy of our state
platform to the cabinet officer. and sug-
loaCfn1 that mr. ~ nnaiUn xUaC hainD
run on the mes marked out by the
platform. The cabinet officer did not
ISpeak.
/ think Mr.. Vance is unfair when he
ATTACKS Mr.. Simmons record on silver.
because he held an office under Presi-
Ident Cleveland. We have just nomi-
mated by reclamation. and elected by
go, 900 majority, a governor who held
office at the same time under Presi-
dent Cleveland. No one has said that
lGovernor Aycock was untrue to silver.
No one doubts Mr.. c. n. Vance's fdeli-
lty to silver; yet in 1895. after the
breach between President Cleveland
and the silver wing of the party had
become i~rreconcilable; after Cleveland
had vetoed the seniorage bill, and after
congress had defeated state banks OF
issue, Mr.. Vance became an applicant
for the appointment. at the hands OF
President Cleveland. of the collector
ship of the western district. The first
Iintimation / had that Mr.. NJ. E. Car
ter had died was a telegram from Mr.. ,
{. n. Vance, asking me. as chairman of
the state ~xecutiv committee, to en-
dorse his application. to President
Cleveland to the collectorship of the
western district. The fact tha Mr..
Vance applied for this appointment
proves that a silver man could hold il
without sacrificing his principles.
/ regret that democrats see fit to
make such unfair attacks on Mr.. Sim
mons. l know that Mr.. Simmons as
few men know him. / know him to be
a democrat, a man without fear and
without ~reproach. His life is an open
book. He is as honorable. as clean
and as upright a man a. walks the
streets Of Raleigh. He is charged with
being a manipulation and wire puller.
His character is the opposite. He has
managed the last two campaigns en-
ltirely without trickery. It has been
open handed, fair fighting. He has
beaten the enemy in an open fair fight.
he has used the battle axe. not the still
letto. He is self-sacrifcing. He has
done what many would not have done.
He and his friends consented to open
the primaries to all white men who
would vote for Bryan and our congress
lsfonal candidate, eve though they
a voted against us In August. This
permitted popultsts and republicans to
lQuai11y themselves to vote for senator.
1T was we'll known that this class of
voters were all against Mr.. Simmons.
and that every man of this class ad-
United to the primaries would cast his
vote aeeinst Simmons. But II was
known that his would strengthen
Bryan and our congressional candi-
dates, while 1t would weaken Simmons.
A friend OF Mr.. Simmons introduced
that proposition into the convention
and it was voted for by all of Mr.. Sim
mons friends, and they were largely In
the majority.
The man who will knowingly weaken
himself to strengthen his party lis
above h wire-puller and trickster.
MI Simmons has done this. The state
is now safe for Bryan: and a solid
congressional delegation is probable:
but Simmons is beilg fought by every
lpopulist and republican. Many will
Equality themselves and vote against
him. The populist and republican or
plantations are hard at work against
him. They will feel that they shall
have won a victory and discredfed our
amendment If they can defeat, in his
Town party, our leader.
L don't believe the democrats of North
lCaroiina will defeat their leader at the
behest OF popuhsts and republicans. To
Idefeat Mr.. Simmons would be doing
this yer thing.
feHow democrats, our enemies de-
lmand that We destroy and sacrifice the
man who led US to victory. They offer
10 AID US in destroying him. Shall we
De guilty OF this unspeakable folly?
JAMES H. POU.