The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-06
BUZZ OF THE BLUE-BOTTLER.

There are among us more busy-body
gossips than could have been Matched
except in times of political discord,
change and confusion. They have been
developed by the new condition of politi-
cal affairs in North Carolina just as the
Americana Bellostona, the new bug, has
been developed by the arc-light.
They are Blue Bottlers, these new
fly blowers, and the eggs of their breath
are in the air. No man of prominence
escapes them. No long career Of integ-
rity is proof against them. Let any
Democrat meet and pass the civilities of
the day with any Republican or Popu-
list, and Immediately from unseen germs
spring maggoty theories of some kind OF
so-called fusion that is going on.
So speak easY,-yea, yea; nay, nay.
A Democrat conceives the idea that a
non-partisan "sound money" convention
will do good. He signs call for it, goes
all the way to Memphis and sits side by
side with Republican "sound money"
men, and the Blue Bottlers are on hand
to whisper: "Watch Mr.. Ale is in
danger of going over to the Republicans,
| do not trust his Democracy" A
smaller Blue Bother takes up the note of
suspicion and, soon the "foul dishonor
ing" germ has tried to do its deadly work.
Another Democrat, grieyed to see the
State in the hands of incompetent and
corrupt men, tells Populist, who has
been Democrat until two or three years
ago, that the conditions are such that he
and his successors ought to quit co oper-
ating with Republicans, and help to re-
store the State to the hands that have
kept it safely for twenty years. He will
hardly have given expression to this sen
timent when he will feel the flesh crawl
with tainting doubts cast upon his De-
mocracy. He may have spoken an hun
bred times, given of his time, his money,
his ability, his influence to the party he
loves. All the worse for him. The
Blue Bother loves a shining mark
Still another Democrat, earnestly de-
sirous of advancing the cause of free sill
yer, meets Populist at railroad sta
ton, at hotel, anywhere, and the Pop
ulist expresses himself in favor of free sill
yer. Let the Democrat say to him : $50
do |, but I dare not tell you so, for fear
some Blue Bother is near, whose dis
eased imagination, want of integrity,
and love of gossip will make him placard
me as advocating fusion"
The true Democrats are not the men
who are fiy-blowing every man of prom
inence in the party, lending willing ear
to every tale of suspicion, and putting
base constructions upon simple words
and plain conduct. 1t is the silly men,
or the enyious, who permit the buzzing
of the Blue Bother near their ears.
The strong Democrats of this State are
looking to that which will ensure peace
full, progressive, economical government
for It's citizens. If there be perplexities
in this problem gust low, solution will
come with lime and wise counsel.
1t is well, indeed, for the "visages to
cream and mantle like standing pond"
of the Sir Oracles, "but do tell you of
these very men that they would damn
those very ears, who, hearing them,
would call their brothers fools"
But it is no new thing for Democracy to
hear the cry of danger, and it is no new
thing for Democracy to meet the alarm
with its old rallying- cry. 1t is no new
thing for those who about some things
have had mistaken notions to take a
second, long look, when dangers thicken
and see the remedy in Democracy. There
are those now who have gone away, who
feel that they have erred in going out of
the Democratic fold in the search for re-
lief
Shall the hand, therefore, of Democ-
rtcy be withheld, because, forsooth, of
these Blue Bottlers who crawl concealed
in the palm of those who would give up
error and join in common principle
under the flag of Jefferson for the safety
of the State
Let the Blue Bottlers know that they
can breed their germs only upon dead
things.
And Democracy is not dead.
-----~-----~~-----------------~
DAVIDSON COLLEGE is to be congratu-
lated upon its wisdom in electing DR.. @.
Alphonso Smith, of Greensboro, to the