The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-06-21
HOPE FOR THE DEMOCRACY.

Mr.. EDITOR The Republican party
may think itself sighted by this grand
reform movement passing it by in
comparative silence The reason for
this is, there is no rea son to expect any
conversions can be wrought upon 1t.
North Carolina Republicanism is not a
responsible Orindependent Institution.
1t simply acts as dictated to by a higher
power. On the other hand Democracy
is responsible, thinking and has some
degree of independence away down
among the masses. Moreover Repub-
licanism being the victorious party Of
the war had first choice as to position
of strength and profit. It chose its bed
among the fat ones of earth and imme-
diately espOused ghescause of money in
protecting rich manufacturers, money
dealers and monopolists. To this posi-
ton of fairness it sticks with a logged
determination, and Democracy with
many vain efforts has not been able to
drive it from any of these fat places.
Why not give up the contest and try
the strength of the people r the Peo-
pies party comes in and occupy the
whole political field not now occupied
by the Republican party. Before you
can have a fight you must have a diff
ference. National parties cannot live
long on local differences.
As for principles and policies the
Democracy is the richness of richness.
Not q principle nor policy known to
modern politics, however radical or
~plutocratic, but at some time and in
some place it has espOused. Like the
ever shifting scenes Of the kaleidoscope
it has been all things to all men and to
one thing never constant. On the other
hand Republic anism has been ever con
slant and ever faithful to money class
interest, once and awhile throwing out
a popular bait to maintain this posi-
ton, in large pensions, liberal apprO-
priations and so on,
To the historian it is amusing to wit
ness the vain efforts Democracy made
to shave off Republicanism from it's fat
resting places and occupy them itself.
Did it endeavOr to espouse the cause of
the rich manufacturers? Witness the
nomination of Horace Greedy, a high
protection advocate, and the election
of Grover Cleveland on incidental
protection" Did it espouse the cause
of the money dealers9 Witness it's
vote on national banks, it's election of
a hard money gold bug in Grover
Cleveland, its vote on the contra ctiOn
policy and funding laws.
To this may be added it has occupied
every ground and defended every issue
known to American politics. And had
it not been for the negro question South
and local issues it would have been long
ago too dead to have skinned. A party
cannot live on the garbage left in the
OF another party, alone on the
defensive. This is a progressive age,
age of progressive thought. Vain
effort to shave Republicanism out of
position. The tariff alone is ] left it
with a dubious record to weaken that.
Now the invitation is graciously ex-
tended to the Democracy of this nation
endorse in toto the Ocala and St.
platforms. Here's fighting
ground. Here is a field not already
occupied. It's a question to it Of life
death. The MOsIem cry on the field |
believe or die" 1t must do this as
q whole or be broken up and the frag-
ments dissolve themselves into the Re
publican party or the Peoples party
according to congeniality. This is
to be seen from the weakness of
jhe Democratic position. Now we
AVE a fellow feeling for this party for
5he good deeds it has done, but when
We see it leaving the people to make a
party of it's own and laundering after
he harlots debauched by Republican
SIN, we cannot help putting in a word
If warning. The death damp is on its
The finger of an unseen hand
written its destiny upon the wall.
There is no go back in revolution and
he sufferings Of a patient and confd-
ng people, brought on by laws Sec
by both parties, have COM
nenced a revolution. This is a fact.
Ne do not expect her to die easy.