The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-01-13
RATIONALISM VS.. SECTIONAL
ISM. Pa
J. A. T. SHoTwELL, Seo'y,

The world moves onward, and new
developments are constantly being
brought to light. Politics, like the
other sciences, il einvigorated by
the spirit of progress. The preju
d ces of bigotry and the uncertainty
of empiricism are being left IN the
d stance, as truth and eason ascend
the ladder toward it's climax The
day of blind adherence to demagogi.
Cal sec ,ionalism and intenecine feuGs
is passing away. The long suffered
theories ond unsuccessful experiments
Of the Republican party have been ex
ploded and new views are to De &C
cepted or rejected as their truth or
faIsity may commend or condemn
them to public favor or ce1sure. Our
present position has been approached
through bloody highways and extor-
tlonaGe toll gates, vita many sacrifices
of treasure, friends and suffering. The
olgoted advocates of UntenaOle doc.
5rlnes and outrsges have been crushed
with their theories and practices, but
the damages left to humanity are I'm
repaired. Reverting to the past, and
contemplating the fearful escape we
have made IRON the damnabIe dog
mas of the 6epublican extremists, is
cause for sincere tGankfulness to the
Ruler of men and nations. Thanks
to him the time is past that men are
Load hlInHlu fn fhntN KY 1oCfrT1ofI0n
They investigate, they think for them
selves and r rising to a hight from
which they can accept tru5h and re
jec5 error independent Of the dlctum
of political satraps.
They are searching for facts, and
whet Ter they accord with fine spur
theories or not, facts will be accepted.
They are IN q State of transmutation
from emplriclsm to precision, and it
amounts to a struggle in many cases
to overcome preconcelved preju tices
and submit to the hammer of sound
logic. The Republican party has kept
itself fortified by the exaggerated and
Ooastful brilliancy OF its achievements
and have all the time INDUCED a spirit
OF acrimony to the truth. One which
has stimulated this section to increased
effort, extended research and thorough
investigation, such as to challenge tn:
more conservative of tne North to Z
consideration of facts. And the I'm
prejudlced in all chimes are capable Of
culllng the good and eliminating the
f~allacles from their plans and meth
DDS. 1t remains for those who Cal
investigate, unbiased, to reap the ad
vantages all the good in the old parties
He VINO will not be rational and &C
capt truth regardless of sect onal ami
most les, deprIves himself of advan
tages to which he is JUS y entitled
The people have b9en de ;eived; craze
have been numerous, bui they ar,
short lived. Those who expected
miracles have found myths. They ar
the victims of sophis5ry and glarinl
promises. 1t is a fact that when on
s.arts out wrong, he dislikes to g
back and take the right road, but b
is in earnest wv and mean to prof
by their experience. The protectiv
tariff was to be a cures all, and all t1
sophlstry of genIus has been employee
to make the oppressed farmer believ
that all his maladies could be assuage'
by this nostrum. Their expectation
have not been fulfilled. Limited COLI
age of silver, Force bills, bio ody shirt
and the like fallacies can no longe
monopolize the place Of proper Erea'
ment for our ills; and the spplicatio
OF correct prin iples will insure SUI
cess. The Alliance has formulate
it's theories; They have yet to o
! tried in the scales. Let us cling t