The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-21
ASK CONTRIBUTIONS !
BRYAN AND KERN ISSUE APPEAL
no FARMERS.
Iowa Farmer, Formerly a Rere5li-
can, Gives 500 for Campaign
Fund, Which Is First Contribution.

The first appeal for, campaign con-
tributions by the Democratic candi-
dates for the presidency and the
Yice-presidency was issued Friday,
directed to the farmers OF the coun-
try. It is as follows:
.'To the Farmers of the United
State:
"The first contribution made to
the Democratic campaign fund this
year, SO far as we know, was made
by an Iowa farmer. Just before the
Denver convention net this man,
who modestly prefers not to have his
name mentioned, Journeyed more
than 100 miles to Lincoln with his
contribution of 500, which he left
with Mr.. Bryan to be given to the
committee when organized for the
campaign.
This farmer was born in Sweden
and for some time after he was nat
uralized was member of the Re
publican party. But he was stu
dent Of public questions and in the
course of time became Democrat.
To manifest his deep interest in the
success of the party and the triumph
of Democratic principles he made
this free will offering . the campaign
fund.
1T is very appropriate that this
first contribution should come from
that great body of our population
known as agriculturists. The farm
er has nothing to gain by privilege
and fayoritism; hishope is in the
application of the doctrine of equal
rights to all and special privileges
to none.' He. has been the ictim of
all special legislation and has suffer-
ed from control of politics by the
great predatory corporations, Now
that the Democratic party has an
nounced it's determination not to ac-
cept contributions from corporations
and not to accept excessive contri-
buttons even from individuals and
to publish all contributions when
over a reasonable minimum, it ought
to be able to secure sufficient sum
from the citizens who ask from the
government nothing but protection
of their rights and consideration for
the, general welfare. There are
hundred of thousands of farmers
who are abundantly able to contribu-
te the campaingn fund. There are
thousands who could give $100 apiece
without feeling it; there are tens of
thousands who could give $50 apiece
without sacrifice and still more who
could give s25, or $40 or So.
AS the national committee has
not yet been organized we will ask
The Commoner to call for subscrip-
tions to this farmers fund. Those
giving may indicate whether they
are willing to have their names
mentioned and if the contribution is
not more than 500 their wishes will
be complied with. All contributions
above s100 must be made known no
matter from whom they come.
THE farmers fund will be turned
over to the national committee as
soon as its permanent officers have
been selected. Who will be the first
to respond? The Denver convention
was a peoples convention; it adop-
ted a strong, clear, honest platform
and its nominations were made with
practical unaminity. Our fight is
a fight for the whole people. Our
aim is equal and exact justice to all;
our purpose. is to restore the govern
ment to the hands Of freely chosen
representatives of the voters. How
many farmers will join in furnish
ing the ,fuAd necessary to present
the issues?
(Signed)
William J. Bryan
John w. Kern"