LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THOS. E. WATSON, AUTHOR OF RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
Greenville, Pa., Nov. 19, 1908.Hon. Tom Watson,Thomson, Ga.
Dear Sir:
Allow me to congratulate you on the grand fight that you made in Georgia. Would to God that such a fight could be made in every state in the Union. It would, and I believe that it will anyhow, sweep the country within a shorter time than most of us dream of. Down at heart the great mass of the people are Populists and what a people are at heart is bound to reach the head in time.
The sophistry of Mr. Bryan having now been exploded, Populism will again get its old time consideration. Millions of voters were, by Mr. Bryan’s boyhood days’ stand, led to believe that he was really a Populist, which now stands so plainly refuted that no man ought longer be fooled unless he wants to be.
The suggestion on your part to call a conference would, I believe, prove a good move. As a meeting place, the farther South and West, the better. It would bring you closer to the great mass of voters who know more what Populism means than we do of the East and North.
What little I can do for the cause, I shall most gladly do. Always at your command, allowed my name to be used here in the last election as a candidate for Assembly. Got 138 votes in the county; more than enough that our party will hereafter have a place on the ticket without having to get out a petition.
With best wishes and a God speed you in the noble work engaged, I am,
Very truly yours,WILLIAM LOOSER.
Military Home, Dayton, O.Oct. 20, 1908.
Thomas E. Watson,Thomsan, Ga.
Sir:
You know as well as I do that were it not for England’s paper money, Napoleon would not have lost the battle of Waterloo. Would it not be wise, and acceptable to all, to, in your speeches, advocate the issue of Greenbacks exclusively by the Federal Government? Answer, Yes or No.
Respectfully,CAPT. A. R. TITUS.
(Yes.)
Denver, Col., Oct. 13, 1908.
Hon. Thomas E. Watson,Thomson, Ga.
Friend Watson:
I want to compliment you on the splendid work you are doing in your publications. I am glad you give space to the money question, for it is really the only question worth while. With an insufficient money supply no economic system, however good, will succeed. No matter how high an ethical standard we may have or how industrious the people may be, poverty will stalk through the land if we do not have a money volume equal to our money needs. Our money shortage begets interest and the consumer pays all interest in commercial transactions. What is our moneyshortage? I place it at not less than fifteen billion. We could use thirteen billion for the one purpose of conserving wealth, and we could certainly use two billion in active circulation. Our bank deposits were more than thirteen billion, and we had less than three billion in circulation. The fact that we can and do use credit to help out the money shortage, does not alter the fact that we should have tangible money to use instead of being forced to use credit, which always carries with it theinterestcharge.
But enough of this. No answer expected, though I do appreciate a letter from you. I know your time is too precious. A man that writes for millions now and millions yet to come can not afford to write to one lone person, and I think you arewriting for the ages.
Yours with best wishes,RICHARD WOLFE.
Luzerne, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1908.
Hon. Thomas E. Watson,Thomson, Ga.
Dear Sir:
I wish it were possible for you to make sufficient inroads in the South to help build up a great new party which would have some honest convictions as to the people’s right to rule themselves, a democracy of vital grip.
Success to you,GEO. THOMAS.
Springport, Mich., Dec. 16, 1908.
My Dear Mr. Watson:
Anything that appears to have your endorsement is worthy of consideration, and, as the language of Dr. S. Leland, in your last Magazine, in his speech refers to woman in an offensive manner, I inflict this article upon you and consider it only fair that it be placed before the same readers. Dr. Leland refers to woman in the following language:
“They will be anything for love, and if they can’t get that * * * some will rush into the lecture field—join the Salvation Army—form Women’s Rights Societies, and do deeds that make the angels weep.”
It’s not surprising that women join the Salvation Army, since it’s an Army that has done more good than all the churches on earth have ever done; but what really puzzles me is how Dr. Leland happened to know that the angels weep because women rush into the lecture field—form Women’s Rights Societies, etc. Was he so close to the angels that he could hear the rustle of their wings? There is no known record of angels weeping over woman suffrage societies, etc. The only thing that approaches a record of weeping angels is, that Lucifer, in his tilt with heavenly comrades,mighthave wept, not because of woman suffrage societies, evidently, but probably because he happened to be kicked over the battlements of Glory. We hope Dr. Leland, who is now dead, found better favor in the beyond than did Lucifer, since he was no doubt as good a man would like to find a place could be.
Dr. Leland informs us that “true women are not public brawlers”—otherwise lecturers. The poor, dear man! Did he think a public lecturer had to be a brawler? The sainted Mary E. Willard was a public lecturer, imagine her a public brawler! She did more good than and left an Influence superior to that of any man in the nation. Her name is found upon the scroll of honor, where many a man would like to find a place. Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth is apublic speaker. Let all men uncover their heads at the mention of her name.
Dr. Leland says: “Administrative faculties are not hers.”
Without a trial how could he know she was so deficient? Man has demonstrated his ability in that line; God forbid that woman develops the same kind if the opportunity ever occurs.
Public plunder and panics, the murder of babies in workshop and factory, a Congress, so corrupt that trusts and corporations rule theland—such is the administration of man. Dr. Leland says the forum is no place for her silver voice, but the rotten reign of man makes it the most appropriate place, for the cesspool will not cleanse itself. We are informed further that “woman discussesnotthe course of the planets.” What the discussion of the planets has to do with the right of suffrage is not exactly clear, as I believe there are a few voters who are unqualified to discuss the course of the planets. In case it has a bearing, I would announce that it was a woman who drew the world’s prize in competition with the wisest in this line but a short time ago. The Doctor said:
“She guidesnovessels through the night and tempest across the trackless sea.” But she does greater things. She possesses the heart and heroism to jeopardize her life in rescuing the shipwrecked. We have many a Grace Darling, we have many a Florence Nightingale, who have manifested greater bravery and brain than required to guide a vessel. But this latter charge will not hold today.
Finally, as a clincher, the Doctor stated that “the strength of Milton’s poetic vision is far beyond her delicate perception, she would have been affrighted at that fiery sea upon whose flaming billows—
‘Satan, with head above the wavesAnd eyes that sparkling blazed.’”
‘Satan, with head above the wavesAnd eyes that sparkling blazed.’”
Weagainfind the Doctor anincompetentjudge of woman. A wife who has to encounter a drunken husband time after time, and who lives in terror of her life, is used to blazing eyes and bleared eyes, and all kinds. She would prefer to meet Satan, any time, for there is no record of his being a “drunk.”
Woman asks for the ballot that she may vote this worst of hells out of her life. Yet we find men who respect her so much they would withhold this privilege of defense.
Such chivalry is sick and needs medicine.
(Mrs.) Marion Todd.
Dear Mr. Watson:
I am requested to write out the details of the execution of a Confederate soldier at Morton, Mississippi, in July, 1863. I will endeavor to do so to the best of my recollection; and I think that what I shall write will be substantially correct, because the incident is frescoed upon my memory.
During the siege of Vicksburg, General Joseph E. Johnson was placed in command of the Army in Mississippi which was being organized outside to relieve General Pemberton. General W. H. T. Walker commanded a division in said Army. His command consisted of the brigares of Guist, Wilson, McNair, Ector and Gregg. I was on the staff of General Gregg. We were for some time at Yazoo City preparing to move on the rear of General Grant, who was then closely besieging Vicksburg. When we got ready and our large supply train prepared (which we expected to take into Vicksburg), we marched from Yazoo City towards the Big Black Creek and encamped some days at a little hamlet called Vernon, a few miles West of Canton. While in camp there, one day a regiment of cavalry passed along the road, by the side of which the 46th Georgia Regiment was encamped. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Peyton Colquitt, who was afterwards killed at Chickamauga. Some one recognized a man in the cavalry who formerly belonged to the 46th Georgia. The soldier had deserted from the latter regiment whilst it was on the Georgia coast, and joined this regiment of cavalry. He was arrested—charges preferred against him for desertion. He was tried by a court martial which was sitting at Vernon.
The man was convicted, but no publication was then made of the results of the trial, but the findings were regularly forwarded to General Johnson’s headquarters, and then we broke camp and moved down to the Big Black for the purpose of crossing to attack General Grant. Indeed,we reached the point to cross on the night of July 3rd, and the engineer corps was preparing to throw the pontoons across, when news came that Vicksburg had surrendered. Then we commenced our retrograde movement towards Jackson—passing through Clinton, Mississippi, en route. Sherman was sent in pursuit and we reached Jackson one day ahead of him and went into the works which had been prepared for the defense of Jackson.
Sherman immediately extended his besieging lines with both flanks resting on Pearl River, forming a semi-circle, leaving the Eastern side of the city open for our retreat. I think we remained there one week before retreating. General Johnson found it impossible to keep Sherman from crossing the river and getting in his rear and, therefore, evacuated the works and took up his line of march one night towards Meridian. After we were some distance on the road beyond Brandon, a terrific rain-storm came on, with heavy thunder and lightning. The rain was so heavy and the night so dark the troops scarcely march, encountering here and there wagons and artillery stuck in the mud.
We reached Morton about daylight and went into camp. The sun rose in all its brightness and intensity of July heat. The troops were drying off and preparing their camp for cooking, etc., when this convicted soldier struggled up to the provost guard and said to the Major in command: “Well, Major, I got lost last night but am up as soon as I could find you.” The officer turned over to the guard and said: “I am sorry you came up for orders have been issued that you must be shot today at one o’clock p. m.”
When General Walker learned of this incident, his sympathies were aroused and he and Major Cumming mounted their horses and rode to General Johnson’s headquarters. General Walker dismounted, recited the facts to his superior officer and interceded for the poor fellow. The only reply was: “General Walker, my orders must be obeyed.” The latter saluted and replied, “General, they shall be,” and mounted his horse. With tears in his eyes he instructed Major Cumming to have Major Schauff (I do not know that I spell this name correctly) make a detail for the execution and carry it out at 1 o’clock promptly.
He then ordered the division out to witness the execution. The brigade formed three sides of a square in a large old field flanked by second growth of pines; the grave had been dug in the center of it, his coffin resting on the further side from the firing squad. The condemned man asked not to be blindfolded; his hands were tied behind his back, he knelt on his coffin, and in the presence of the whole division, including his old 46th Georgia Regiment and his comrades therein, and was shot to death, placed in his box, or coffin, and was buried right there in that old field.
The saddest part of it was that the testimony showed he had been so good and gallant soldier in his adopted regiment, and he stated the only reason he left the 46th Georgia was that he got tired of inaction down on the coast and wanted to be where he could do some fighting. He also stated that he had a wife and child at home in Georgia.
I wish I knew his name and Company, but I do not. Major Cumming may.
I think these facts are substantially correct, and hope they will be of some service to you.
M. P. CARROLL.