The gold leaf., 1895-07-18
THE VIEWS OF A VETERAN
POLITICIAN,

Ex-senator Jarvis has been a very
prominent figure in North Carolina
since 1868 69-the most memorable
of all bodies except the last, and tn e
most venal and vicious-when he and
Plato Durham led SO bravely and
skillfully the little band that stood up
against the plunderers, devourers and
buyers of law makers. This writer
was editing the Raleigh .SsnhneI and
saw much of what occurred. Men
may differ as to Senator Jarvis's view
on this or that question, but no can
dld, informed man will deny to him
much political sagacity. large ex-
perlence in public affairs, CONSTANT
devotion to North Carolina, faithful
service to the people, real ability and
saving common sense. That he made
a good Governor was generally con-
Ceded. This writer more than once
took issue with him and criticised his
course, but he had the approval of the
people at large. His views on public
questions are worth something. Ifany
public man in the State knows much
OF State-craft it is Senator Jarvis. He
came from the people, is of the people
and is for the people. That has been
his creed and practice through the
years. We refer to him now because
of the opinions from him in yesterday S
Messenger.
We do not purpose taking up his
views in general but refer to what
he said on one or two points. He
says the people now are "influenced
less by the declarations Of platfor ms
than they are by the records and
position OF candidates" That appears
to us to correctly represent the situa-
ton. The people are learning, are
watching, are scrutinizing, are waiting
-biding their time. They have seen
that platforms and planks have been
easily disregarded, made plaything,
a mere wisp Of straw to be easily turn
ed or wound. The people are alive,
and it is now not what is said that
shall be the test of character, but what
is done. Governor Jarvis is correct
again, we take it, in saying that if the
Democrats "hope to win in 1896 our
platform must be in accordance with
the people, and our candidates must be
Of that class of men who the people b e.
lieve will, in good faith, carry out its
declarations"
Quite number of the Democratic
newspapers in the State are out for the
gold standard, against silver, against
the Democratic law OF 1892 and the
State Democratic platform of 1904,
and the recent action ofthe Democratic
State Committee. Senator Jarvis
thinks this will make more difficult
our chances of success in this State. 1t
will make sure defeat. Adivided any,
thlng-house, army, country or party
never achieved victory yet. The
party press is seriously divided on the
money question. How can there be
victory?
1t looks clear and right when Gov.
ernor Jarvis says that he "would bring
every Democratic Populist into the
folds OF the Democratic party and seek
their aid saving the State from the
curse OF Republican rule, and l would
not impose upon them any humiliating
terms. In my opinion we will have
to choose between silver Democrats
and goldbug Republicans in this State
in 1896" That will probably be the
outcome. The people-the Democrat
lc people-are overwhelming for the
honest money ofthe constitution-bo,h
silver and gold. Unless the party
unltes solidly in common cause agains,
Radical control, there will be a return
to power in 1896 in North Carolina of
the old hungry rule and ruin gang,
with their selfish, demagogic cry of
" Anything TO beat the Democrats. -
Messenger.