Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-06

Of those voting in the primary. and 1 came
to the senate.
The issues, growing out of the Spanish
and the democratic party leaders. for ]
could only follow the dictates Of my. con-
fighting on a foreign soil.
At that time the war was not a party
question and and ! hope, IL would rot become Gn
soon confronted by the alternative of re-
tracing my steps or finding myself in OPP
party leaders ana excluded from their
caucus. l concluded that not even a seat
surrender of my. convictions and that opin-
ion Is unchanged.
There is not a vote of mine on any cues
ton growing out of the Spanish American
war that | would change even II j could
and in which 1 do not take pride in thus
ever maintsined this Independence Of
thought and action.
Last summer. recognizing my RESPONSE
paign in the state. / announced my 1nten-
lion OF going before them for the purpose
l was Immediately and violently assailed
for advocating republican doctrines and
branded as a republican in democratic dis
guise.
Real Issues BeIittIed.
The state democratic executive committee
met, and, under the dictation of my col
league in the senate. formally declared that
basis for similar action on the part of the
democratic caucus OF the United States
me has been persistently waged. The policy
OF my opponents has been to belittie the
real Issues into a personal quarrel between
This issue I am not willing TO accept, as
l DC not propose TO be Influenced in my
jealousy. The public interests should never
be subordinated to purely personal ends.
en SG%, Is fhs to eTeRESse @e from 26 ~ fKe P Ppimsry
as a candidate and to exclude all candi-
dates for ONCE who entertain my Views,
nm1 a mus fr STeVs sear ins RtSs emRl in ir iGati hestioS
of my course and in advocacy OF the abb
sorbing public measures now confronting
/ am absolutely convinced and fore
warned of this purpose to exclude me and
my friends. because / have read the speech
of Senator Tillman. the acknowledged die
tator Of the democratic machine OF South
Carolina, delivered at Manning. in which
he directs a revision of the rules and form
of oath Of the party for the purpose Of
excluding myself and friends from par
ticipating in the primary.
Resents Suggested Exception.
I resent the suggested exception OF my
race for the senate or proclaim my views
under conditions which were not equally
applicable to those who entertain and ad-
I have an abiding faith that 1t will yet
be shown that the dictator of the machine
majority Of our people. The primary sys-
tenn adopted in our state through the
farmers movement has been prostituted
and perverted into a political machine for
the purpose of excluding all candidates whe
are not In full accord with the views and
wishes Of the dictator.
The vital question therefore is, will the
people of the state submit to this political
tyranny and join In this unholy and I'M
patriotic work OF DISTINGUISHING the in
t~elllgent people and excluding them from
our elections? With such a system 1 have
no sympathy and feel impelled by a strong
sense OF duty to warn the people against
such tyranny as II encourages and estab-
fishes
With these facts before me and my con-
vtctions as to the original purpose of the
primary system. I am driven to the con-
clusion that II has subserved Its purposes
and has outlived its usefulness.
Action OF Convention ImmateriaI
1t Is therefore a matter OF no concern to
me what may be the action OF the May
convention as to the rules of the primary
and a revision of Its pledges. The sup
preston Of free speech and independence
Of action in voting by such means renders
II impossible for any self respecting either
holding my views to become a candidate
In the democratic primary in South Caro-
lima.
1t is apparent that the system has been
warped and twisted so as to serve the