The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-10-23
DANCER Turks IN EVERY INDIFFER.
EMIT CITIZEN.

y
North Carolina in which more apathy
z was apparent or greater indifference
manifest in the ranks of the Demo-
cratic party
In part this may be and doubtless
is due to the fact that there has ap-
peared no aggressive and formidable
foe in the field to openly contest with
and oppose the Democracy. But it
will be most unfortunate for the State
if the absence of an openly marshalled
enemy in its front shall work the dis.
Organization defeat and destruction OF
the Democratic party.
We have no recollection of a time
when the press of North Carolina was
SO remiss in its political duty as it has
been in this crisis. Some Of our lead
ing journals give scarcely any indica-
tions of an impending election. The
leading daily of the State. so far as
we have been able to observe, on all
Campaign matters and affairs of State
import, since it withdrew from its
'Quixotic onslaught upon the Far
mers Alliance, is as silent as the
grave of its hurridly buried issue.
This is treason. The press is the
great bulwark of liberty, and its con-
dactors sthe sentinels guarding the
'0utposts Of political freedom. To fail
to. sound the alarm of threatening
danger is worse than desertion in the
face of an enemy. In our State the
press has always been the inspirations
soul and strength of every political
campaign, and if any disaster shall
oyertake the Democracy, or evil be.
fall the State in this election, the
Democratic press will be responsible
;forjthe calamity.
lis there reasonable ground for ap-
pretending such disaster? We fear
there is. Four years ago, through the
apathy and Indifference of Democrats,
the Republicans were able to dictate
the organization of our lower house of
the General Assembly. At the same
time they captured the metropolitan
District in Congress, and our State
judicial ticket was put in imminent
peril. But for the fortuitows vircum-
stance of an angry division in the Re-
publican State Committee, the Re-
publicans would have then secured a
working control of both the judicial
aud Legislative departments Of our
State government.
The Republicans are working quiet
ly, but unitedly, under ground, this
time. 1t is but reasonable fear that
they are working none the less effec
lively, in that they are working quiet
II. Unfortunately for the best interests
ofthe State, the hosts of the Democ.
racy are not marching unitedly under
the plain Democratic banner this
year. And hence the more reason
for Democratic vigilance and activ-
ityr s,
It is not the mere empty sound OF
campaign sentiment, nor the howl OF
the hungry politician, to declare that
the real welfare of the people of this
State was never in greater peril. This
election marks turning point in the
fortunes of the Democracy ofthe State
and nation. If ne lcse in this cleo
ton, either in the State or IN the Con-
aressional elections of the country at
large, thel disaster to Democracy
and consequent good government will
bs permanent and irreparable. As
North Carolina, two years ago, could
have saved the lower house of Con-
gree to the Democratic party, SO
might she again. perhaps, hold in her
hands the destiny Of the national
Bsnlcsc:ftacy.
This year We could and should have
eGHRh 16Eid Democratic delegation Of
nine members to Congress. The sec
ond district has been supinely sacri-
Esd elready. How many moro dis