Asheville daily citizen., 1894-04-24
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4 RADICAL. TRICK

The children of this world are wiser
in their generation than the children OF
light" and it would seem that Repubi.
cans are wiser in this generation than
Democrats.
There is not county in North Caro-
lima today in which the Republicans are
not attempting to induce some lndepen
dent or Reiormer to announce himself
for a present or prospective office by
faithfully promising him their hearty
support.
Ii is the shrewdest and most compre-
hensive political trick that has been un
dcrtaken since the war.
Marion Butler and Richmond Pearson
have had their heads together, and this
scheme is the offspring that has resulted.
Only Democrats and those who are
Popullsts rom principle are fshed for,
aud big Radical is holding the pole and
patiently sitting upon the bank OF the
political stream, waiting for bites.
The Republican party has fought
Democracy for twenty years, and has
been beaten in every contest. New
blood must be put into the old Radical
body, or decay and putrescence will
ensue.
Butler and Pearson have covenanted
to superintend the great TRANSMISSION act,
and to guarantee results. Butler is to
deliver Populsts and Pearson Democrats
into the new combine, and if success
comes these worthless are to have first
mortgage on the Radical party to make
themselves secure.
Radicals know when to lead and when
to follow. The part of the old guard OF
Radcalism now is mastery inactivity
They are to occupy back seats and howl
Reform" till their throats split; "a free
ballot and a fair count :" while Butler
and Pearson toll Democrats into their
ranks by the route of INDEPENDENTS
1t is an open secret that in more than
one county in Western North Carolina
Democrats have thus early been induced
to announce themselves for sheriff, or
register of deeds, or the legislature, upon
the promise of Radicals that they shall
have the Republican vote.
So far as heard from, there is not a
Radical in North Carolina that can he
induced to say he wants to run for office
this year. They have all suddenly be-
come patriots, determined to reform
State politics, and only ask the poor
privilege of voting for men who have the
independence and nerve to announce
themselves as independents.
The Reform movement in Ashevlle is
only a part of this shrewd Radical
trick 1t is the first act in the political
drama that is to be played in the Ninth
Congressional district this year, with
Richmond Pearson in the title role. Letter
Prtchard, Jim Moody, Wallace Rollins,
ct al are simply to furnish the applause.
When Democrat declares himself an
Independent this trio is expected to give
the pitch to the shout that is to 60 up
for the courage and manhood indicated
bv such step.
This whole performance is so patent
and transparent that it seems almost
superhuous to call attention to it.
One thing seems maniiestly true, if any
harm can come to the Democratic party
by the attitude and candidacy and sue
cess Of Richmond Pearson this fall. the
same result will inevitably follow the
success OF the socalled Reform movement
in Ashevillc Monday week.
The latter is simply the skirmish line
Of the former-Pcarsoni is the soul Of both
movements, and success in either means
Republican advantage.