The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-29


which 1t has produced, and is an
enemy TO those who would repeal
that legislation and reform the
abuses founded upon it. There is
no escape from this.
The Democratic party, on the con-
trary, believes IN the strict llmita>
tions of the Constitution, and has,
as party, steadily opposed all
abuse of the taxation power or any
other power OF the general govern
ment for private pur, oses, and has
increasingly advocated the most ab-
solute and perfect equality of all
citizens IN the legislation of our
country.
There is not a single wrong or in
justice of which complaint Is made
in our laws for thirty years past
which can justly oe charged to the
Democratic party. Not one. 1t has
even been break-water against the
tyrannlcal tendencies of the Repub-
licans; and though in a minority
has been able to prevent some of
the worst legislation ever attempt
ed, and to modify other laws which
in their original inIgulty would
have been intolerable.
This statement Of the acts and
purposes of the two great political
parties cannot be truthfulIy denied.
Now what is the situationi What
is it the manifest duty OF our people
to do in the coming electionsf
The two great political parties
into which our people are mainly
divided are once more in the field
with their platforms of principles
and their candidates, State and
Federal, thereon. The Republicans
profess all of their old doctrines
from which have come the evils of
which the people complaint; they
glory in that abuse of the taxing
power which has made tew rich
aud millions poor, and seeking new
fields of injustice and oppression,
they openly declare their intention
to take from the States the right to
control the election of their own
representatives, which is the chief
bulwark of their rights and liber.
ties.
The Democrats Ie-affirm their ad.
herence to the Constitution, their
opposition to the tariff robbery, to
banking monopoly and to corporate
Oppression in all It's forms: and
their desire to leave the power to
control elections where the Censti-
tuition left it and where it has re-
sided for more than one hundred
years. Primarily it would seem
that no Democrat, and especially
no Southern Democrat, could hesi-
tate for a single moment as to which
of these parties deserves his sup.
port.
But new party has arisen which is
endeavoring to make the people be-
lleve that the Democratic party Is no
| logner to be trusted. The argument
| to prove this is tTayesty on COM
mon sense: That because for thirty
years they have as party steadily
opposed all abuses and have not
been able at any time to prevent or
reform them, therefore 1t is no Ion
ger worthy of the support of those
who desire reform. The meaning
of this ls, the Democratic party has
been guilty of being III minority
It's SIN consits In not having done
that which it could not 10! hen
let it be condemned, whilst the Re
publican party, which has had the
power and actually did all these
things, and still had the power to
undo them and does not, is acquit-
ted. Nay, we will help it to keep in
power by betraying and destroy ing
its only enemy. Therefore, as the
Democratic party, with it's vast or
ganization in every State, county
and township In the United States,
with it's control of one branch OF
Congress and comprising IN the
popular vote large majority OF all
the people in the Union, has not
been strong enough heretofore to
effect the reforms for which it has
labored and wished, being without
the Senate and executive, they
claim the only chance TOR reform is
to vote for the candidates of thlf
Third party, whose existence in the
national government and power tt
control legislation are evidenced by
three or four members OF the House
of Representatives and two in tht