The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-10-08
ELECTORAL FUSION.

The Times position on the money
question before the Chicago conven-
ton was we'll known. We were OPP
posed to free silver, and did everything
we could TO impress upon our readers
our views regarding the matter. We
have always been loyal TO the voice OF
a Democratic convention, I'd 1t did
not take US a moment TO make up
our mind about our course when
free sIlve. candidate was nominated
al Chicago In our first issue after
the convention we announced our I'M
qualified support Of Mr.. Bryan and
Mr.. Sewalh> Our support has not
been merely nominal and perfunctory,
but i, has been genuine, honest and
hearty. We look upon Mr.. Bryan as
one # the biggest and bralniest men
on The continent, and we know that
he is honest and safe. The Democrat
| ic party could not have done better
| in its selection OF candidate to carry
It's banner to victory.
Likewise, our position on electoral
or any other kind Of fusion was we'll
known. We believe that the Demo
cratic party can and should fight It's
own battles without tuslng with any
party. However, The Democratic
| State Executive Committee, by a unan-
mous vote save one, decided TO offer
the Populsts division Of electors on
the ticket, and ;his Arrangement has
been perfected. Although we were
earnestly opposed to 1t, The thing is
now done and 10 oppose II now would
not c., be useless, but would be TO
work to turn the State over 10 Mckln-
ley, a thing for which We could never
forgive ourselves We will stand by
the action of the Committee and do
all we can for th- success OF the Com
posle ticket.
We are confident that the State
committee acted for what it consld-
cred to be the very best interests OF
the Democratic party. The members
Of 1t are honest and loyal Democrats,
and could have nothing in view but
the good of the Democracy. They re-
allied the fact fully that this action
was absolutely necessary in order to
save the State to Bryan. One alter
native was to have electoral fusion,
and the other was to give the State to
the Republican nominee
The fusion has been arranged, and
to our mind it is the duty of every
Democrat to support it. Every man
who wants Bryan elected and Mckln-
ley defeated should cease opposition
to the action of the committee and &C
to work to see that end accomplished
1t is we'll to state here that the electo-
raj fusion as arranged meets with the
approval of Mr.. Bryan and the Nation
al Executive Committee. No Demo
crat can fail to support 1t without put
ting himself in opposition to his party
We have heard some Democrat,
say that they would vote for the fiv'
Democratic electors on the ticket and
scratch off The five Populist electors
We do not think they should do this
In the first place they would by thi
action be casting only half vote 70
Bryan as the Populis,s on the ticket al
as much Bryan electors as the Demo
Gratis. When you scratch the Popu
list names from the ticket you TAKE
half vote from Bryan. Think abou
that. In the second place, it will
be acting IN bad faith with the Popu
lists, and will give them an excuse t
, scratch the Democratic electors.
, Democrats refuse to vote for the Pop
! ulsts' electors it is but natural 70
/ them to retaliate by declining 10 vot
6 for ours.
u The arrangement has been made
, Let both Democrats and Populists &C
| in good faith and vote the entire cleo
+ toral ticket-Concord TINES.