The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1892-09-01

THE THIRD PARTY IN THIS STATE
Democrats Have More Formidable
Opposition Than Ever Before

Editorial in Washington Post
1t is not in Alabama alone that our
friends, the Democrats, have good
grounds for anxiety on account of the
schism now existing in nthe white
electorate of that State. There is
abundant evidence that the Third
party movement in North Carolina is
not only strong and aggressive, but
that it is especially hostile to the
Presidential nominee of the Demo-
cratic party. The State convention
which was held last week was the
stormieSt aSSemblage of the kind ever
convened in the Old North State, and
a majority of its members were mani
festly Indifferent to the risk of Re-
publican victory which their action
might involve.
Of course it was reaSSufing to the
Democratic heart to find that Col.
Harry ID. Skinner, the brainiest and
most eloquent of the third party men,
declining to accept the nomination
for Governor, except on the under
standing that. if the new movement
should form basis for a Republican
conspiracy to get control of the State
he should be free to vote the straight
Democratic ticket. But his subse-
quent action in unconditionally ac-
cepting the nomination for electoral
ished Democratic confidence. In an
interview had with him after the con-
ventiOn, Col. Skinner said:
'While | believe in financial reform
and indorse the Omaha platform, l do
not believe in negro political rule in
the Southern States. Therefore /
stated to the convention that if it be-
came apparent that the Peoples party
State ticket should not win. | should
favor the withdrawal of the Third
party ticket from the field. This view
did not suit many, perhaps the ma
jOrity of the delegates, and so [ could
not consistently longer stand as the
nominee of the convention for the
office of Governor. AS electoral can
didate, | will remain to the finish 1
am for Weaver for President
When asked whether, in case his
candidacy should endanger the cleo
tion of the Democratic electoral tick
ct, he would Withdraw in accordance
with his argument in regard ito the
State ticket, and so help to prevent
the success of the Republican electors,
he said: 'No; l am opposed to the
election of Mr.. Cleveland" When
asked further whether he preferred
the reelection of President Harrison,
he simply smiled and closed the inter
view.
1t seemed sufficiently clear that
while Col. Skinner is unalterably op-
posed to any policy which might end
in subjecting his State to negro DOM
| ination, he does not fear that the
election of the Republican Presiden-
tial candidate would precipitate that
result. He evidently believes that, so
far as any force bill NAV be concerned,
much more will depend upon Congress
| than upon the President, and he is
probably without any apprehension
| that the sentiment of the people of
| this country will so radically change
as to permit a future Congress to pass
any law to authorize Federal interfer-
| enCe at the polling places of the peo-
pie. This is probably the view taken
by most of theThird party men, and
if 1T is, the Democratic party of North
Carolina, while it may succeed in
keeping the State in the old party
column, will evidently have to con-
tend with elements of opposition
| more formidable than any it has here
| tOfOre encountered.