The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-10-04
Scc'y. republican central committee
SrNrcA. July 81. 1000

W. c. Buck, Esq,
Secretary Republican Committee,
Ny Friend Buck: Thanks for your kinC
letter Of Yesterday. Ny resignation a:
chairman intended to cover my member
ship of the committee. have not gone
back on the faith of the g. o.. p" as you
state the case, but while holding practic-
ally the same views upon public questions
as have advocated in the press and upon
the stump from the time | supported
Lincoln and every other republican cam
didate down to the present year, am
more nearly in accord with the platforms
adopted and reanrmed at Fl. Scott, than
with the one adopted by republicans at
Philadelphia.
Probably my decision is as surprising to
democrats and populists as to republicans,
but in view of new issues in this campaign,
my duty is plain. 1t pains Inc deeply to
sever my relations with the republican
party. TO that party has been given sin
cere, candid, unreserved and never ceasing
labor in every presidential and state cam
paign for 3G years
Had regarded merely for my own per-
sonal interest, certainly | should remain
in the republican party. Had | in view
any political perferment, of course l should
strive to maintain my place with the re-
publicans. With my earnest convictions
regarding the European policy sf the
Mckinley administration in its treatment
Of Porto Rico and the Philippines; with its
attempt to retire the greenbacks and form
the national banks into a gigantic trust;
with its craven, unrepublican and anti
American attitude in its cruel and cold
blooded refusal to tender its sympathy to
the struggling Boer republic in the Trans
vaal; with its failure to enforce its anti
trust laws; with its cool contempt for the
Grand Army of the Republic, by retaining
at the head of the pension Office man
whose plan in dealing with union veterans,
is to use against deserving pension appl-
Giants the laws made expressly for their
benefit; with these views ! cannot consist
emily vote for Mckinley this year.
You say YOU want me to "stand by Nc
Kinley and prosperity" Dear friend Buck,
If Mckinley is responsible for the foreign
wars and the foreign crop shortage, thus
creating demand for American products,
then jeff. Davis was Il creator of business
"prosperity" in the north from 1861 to
1853 10y making unusual demand by his
devltry for northern food, clothing,
wagons, mules and guns. If Mckinley is
to be gloriGed for good Kansas crops, then
he is equally responsible for the hot
winds, drOuth and short corn in our west
err counties this year. You and are too
old and hope to sensible, to attempt to
mislead people by clap-trap about pros
Derity." We know that in 1896 We all de-
clared as republicans that the volume of
money did not depreciate values or make
"prosperity," but the Philadelphia con-
vention points with pride" to the fact
that Mckinley has largely increased the
money volume aud thus added to the
"wave of prosperity
1t has been suggested to me today that
! shall lose my friends by supporting
Bryan and Brcidenihal. hope that is
not true Friends who lose respect for
man who follows his earnest convictions.
are not worth having. OF course expect
TO he snarled at 10y those who would vote
for Satan if on their ticket, but | can
much more easily endure the criticism of
such men than to stiae my political con-
victions as an American citizen owing no
allegiance to any flag but cold Glory"
and no fealty to any country but the
United States. Sincerely,
A. j. FELT.