The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-21
WATSON ON THE CHICAGO NOMI-
NEES AND THE PLATFORM.

LIN
! Ca, edited by Hon. Thomas Z. Wa
son, takes about the same position on
the Democratic nominees and platform
that we have taken. 1t says it is so
much better that we are tempted to
quote freely. Here are some extracts:
1T did not make any particular diff
ference who the Democrats nominated
at Chicago, for, as things now stand,
the nominee hasn't the slightest chance
to be elected; but when they swallowed
three-tourths of our platform without
batting the Y and selected as stand
ard bearer a brilliant young orator
who had said he would bolt the Demo,
cratic party if it nominated a gold
standard candidate on a gold standard
platform, the situation becomes com
plex.
But, it may be said, if the Demo
Gratis win, that's all we want; and if
they lose, we will lose also-therefore
the perils suggested are fancitul.
eff we make a separate fight under
our own leaders and with our own
organic alton, defeat may discour-
age, but does not demoralize us, dis
rupt us, or degrade us. We can rise
and come ~again-strong in self
respect and in the respect of honorable
foes who recognize our royalty to prin-
ciples.
IF Mr.. Bryan carried in his hand
the vote of the Democratic House and
Senate, l., for one, would trust him to
carry out these platform pledges. But
he does not do 80. He can no more an
swer for his colleagues in the public
service now, than he could in 1892, or
in 1893. He knows, just as We know,
that some Of the guiltiest criminals in
the crime of 1892 and 1898 have been
re-nominated by the Democratic party
some for the House and some for
the Senate.
LAS o constituted it is just simply
impossible for the Democratic party to
enact a tree coinage law.
SIN every turn OF the free silver fight,
the Democrats have shown that they
were for their party first, and for the
principle next. II they can get free
| silver inside the party, all right; if net,
they won'G have it.
Acting upon this idea in 1892, Mr.
Crisp killed the free coinage bill by
taking it off the floor, where Pops and
free silver r republicans could vote for
it, and put it before the Committee on
Rules, where it was necessary that a
maj 0rity of Democrats should sign a
petition before action could be had. A
moi rity of Democrats refused to sign,
and the bill went to the bone yard.
when the Democrats at Chicago
hooted at the idea of naming Teller as
their candidate, they proved that they
thought of party eLd pie counter first,
and principle next,
us it the genteel thing to come bolt
ing into cur cabin, snatch our chairs,
benches and beds, carry them away to
THEIR house, and then invite us to step
over and help them luxuriate on u
furniture?
Dressing Billy Bryan up in Popu
list raiment makes Billy an attractive
figure to u admiring gaze; but, as
long as he remains mixed in with the
| scrub sheep of the Democratic flock,
we are much inclined to say to him, in
the language of the ancient anecdote,
We love yOu, Billy, but d-n your
company
1.-THE proposition is now made that
we should abandon our party because
it's principles have secured Democratic
endorsement.
"The Democratic party has been
whipping Us for four years and, as a
result, has embraced our principles and
professed our faith. Let them whip us
one more time, and perhaps they will
be ready to join our church.
X
"It was this siren song of trust. it to
u.s. that the Democratic party sang to
the Al!iaIce in 1890. In every South
ern State, the Democrats Incorporated
the Alliance demands ia their State
platforms. Trust it to u.s. sweetly