The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-15
WILL. FUSION CONTINUE

We publish to-day two cominuhich-
tons that appeared in the last issue OF
the Winston Republican, one from Raj
eiah and one from Halifax, bearing on
the continuation of fusion, written
from the standpoint of Eastern Repub-
Leans.
II is apparent that there is some di-
vision OF opinion among the Republi-
cans in reference to fusion. Some
think they are strong enough to win
without populist help, and are in favor
of making the conditions of future fu-
sion so hard that all the Populists who
are not ready to join the Republican
party will kick ant Of the traces.
The letters in the Winston Republican
show that at least two Republican
Fusionists are not satisfied with the re-
suits of Fusion. Lately we have seen
copy of the Tribune, published ut
Birmingham, Ala, by Col. Reuben r.
Kolb. the populiSt leader of Alabama.
1t is an old paper, dated Aug. 22nd, but
it contained two letters indicating
that two prominent Populists were dis
satisfied with the results of fusion.
These letters were written during the
doc days. hut they are not without in
terest now. We print them below, and
call the attention Of the Caucasian TO
their tenor, and suggest that they CON
tain matters of interest for their read
ers. Prefaeing these letters the Tri-
bune said:
''rhe Tribune is pleased to refer the
public to two wholly unsolicited let
ters below. recently received within
the same few DAYS from writer's who
had no purpose to publish them and
from the same State. Both gentlemen
will be recognized as 70 the best au-
,thority in the Peoples party, Senator
| Marion Butler and Hon. George f..
l}oggS:"
"ELLTOTT, y. G.. Aug, ,, %.
Hon. r. F. Kolb.
My Dear Sir: am glad TO see that
YOU have decided To make Il straight
| fight in Alabama. | have feared that
the cooperative fight that we were
| that attended it might miSlead our
| friends in other States where the rea-
sons and conditions did not exist If
the cooperation between the PopulistS
and the Republicans in North Carolina
| bad been for a division OF the spoils, it
would have failed. The people would
have repudiated the combine at the
polls and the Peoples party would
= D
we must draw the issue
square against the old parties. The
outlook for the Peoples party has
| never been better than it is to-day. We
viii poll 100000 votes in Kentucky and
stand a good chance of carrying the
Yours very truly.
"MARION BUTLER"
"WA1NESNILLE. n. G., Aug. s, '95.
zion. Il. F. kolb
Dear Sir: / feel such a deep interest
in the fight you are making against
fusion, that ! have determined to write
you, although am an entire stranger to
you. | enclose an article | wrote last
year against fusion in this State, and
| would now emphasize every word of it,.
Fusion is confusion. and if persist
cd in, will destroy any young. party.
| The only benefit is to some selfish men
| to get into Office and for this truth and
principle must be sacrificed
You have no doubt seen glowing
accounts of the wonders that have
been achieved by fusion in this State,
but ! assure you our party has been
seriously injured. and even with prop
er management, could not easily re-
gain lost ground But this is not all,
| for. as is always the case when princi-
pie is set aside and sclfishness taIles.its
place, we are ! am quite sure to have
a continuance of the miserable muddle
in our next contest, although every
assurance was given al the time OF its
adoption that II would be but for this
enc time.
IF we are ever to succeed it vii he
necessary to gain recruits from both
the old parties and in our States, these
recruits must come mainly from the
Dcmocatic party. BY uniting with the
old opponent of this party, we are in
no position 10 gain them. Such com
bined vote Of the fusionists was very
little greater than the vote of the two
parties had been in the previous cleo
ton and the Democratic party very
nearly held its own. Many Democrats
who were inclined to MS lost confidence
in and respect for. us and many more
had their passions and prejudice in
tensified
Il do not see nov how we are to get
out Of our middle without division in
our ranks and it might well be ques-
toned whether or not this division
should come at first rather than at the
last. OF course this would depend on
the relative strength of the two par
ties. If the straight o,ts are strong
enough 10 make n good fight just Us
well or rather il might be better to
begin a fight that must be made at the
outset.
Hoping you may have a peaceful
settlement Of your differences and act
unitedly in unfolding our grand prin-
ciplcs. I am.
Yours sincerely.
GEO. f. BOGGS."