The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-18
A CALM RE VIE ~.


two lmpelIing influences to drive them
together. The one was the long-nour
ished hatred which the Republicans
had entertained towards the Democrat
ic party and the other was the preJu-
dice that conecienceless demagogues
had stirred up in the minds Of the
great mass ct people who generally let
them. SO. however lightly it was re-
garded by some, and however careful
the leaders OF reform" to disguise their
real intention, it was no hard job to Sc
cure the consent of sufficient num-
Der both of Populists and Republicans,
to effect the combination. The Re-
publican party had been out OF power
50 long they were hungry for power
and place again, and this vision of a
possibility of return to power sharp
ened their appetltes and made it all
the more easy to bring even the ObJec-
tors into line There were some Re-
publicans who did really object to eco
operatiOn," as it was at first called.
But after thoroughly considering the
matter their objections were practically
silenced. They knew that In the event
the Republicans and Populists should
combine against the Democrats and
carry the State 1t would be a Repubh-
can victory, tho the Populists who were
to enable them to gain 1t would feel
equal pride in 1t with the Republicans.
The great desire for possibility to re-
gain their power which they lost many
years ago, impelled the Republicans to
agree to cooperation, next called ''tu-
sion," regardless of how their coadju-
tors might view the rights to spoils and
recognition.
On the other hand, the impelIing
force that drove the Populists to this
union, cooperation, fusion or whatever
they might choose to call it. was the
hot, seething prejudice which unprin-
cipled men, looking tor personal gain,
had wrought up IN their minds, and
the mad craze for "change" and ga
new DEAL" which had overpowered
N any who would have acted differently
under different circumstances.
The union was effected and many
who had up to the time declared they
would not affiliate with the Republican
party, gave still looser rein to theil
prejudice and swallowed the whole
thing. But most of those who had
gone that far did not take the proper
view of matters, did not look fan
enough ahead and SO followed the
drift of the tide without squint o.
squirm. Democrats were in some
quarters SO over-contident of their OWE
success in the election that they made
no extra effort to get full vote polled
but had they done their best the com
bined forces Of the Republicans anc
the POpulists would have been toe
many for the Democrats.
And let us say here by way of paren
thesis, lest we may forget to say in the
future, that no party in the worlo
could have wlthstood the pressure tha
was brought against the Democratic
party under the present administration
Had the Republicans been In power a.
were the Democrats under the same
circumstances, they would have beer
swept down as the Democrats were.
But back to the fusion OF Republ
cans and Populists. They elected theil
men, which was no less a surprise tC
many OF them than to the Democrats
What was the victory? Was it Re
publican or Populist victory? While
both claimed it, and while the Popu
lists made it possible for the Republl
cans it was really Republican victory
though many Populists even NOW would
not admit it. Whoever is doubtful a.
to whose victory it was, let him read o.
remember with unbiased mind the rec
ords of the late Legislature, and if he il
any longer in doubt, the most thai
could be said for him would be that hi:
judgment needs setting right.
And now that fusion had succeeded
In electing its men, there were two very
anxious classes in the State. One was
the whole citizenship of the State
which included every party, and the
other was those of the Populists who
had from the beginning assayed to lead
together with a few who had Joined the
swelling number in the hope OF soft
place among the spoils. The great mass
Of the citizens OF the State were anxious
about what would be done by the Leg.
islature. They waited with wondering
speculation what would be done bv the
IeoiSlature which b cd boon olootod IL,