The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-23
nj fy You


free silver convention in his State last
September. In speaking of the politi-
cal situation, Mr.. Smith said:
There can be no question of the
overwhelming preponderance of free
silver sentiment in North Carolina
The best people of the State are deter
mined on this position, and think are
ready to unite upon it regardless OF
present affiliations. My own belief is
that adherence to silver is the only sal.
yation for the Democracy the only
hope of perpetuating a government
that shall be dominated by its most
intelligent and substantial citizens. |
do not speak of the race question here,
but only the general laws of the right
of the fittest to rule. That is a prin-
ciple which has always been of con-
trolling force in North Carolina.
On free silver and the question OF
intelligent control of local affairs all
the white people of my State can find
common meeting ground. There is
nothing to prevent the union Of Demo
Gratis and Populists on an independent
free silver ticket. both State and ma
tional. Our State convention will in
struct the delegates to the National
convention at Chicago in unmistaisable
language as 10 the course to be pur-
sued. No gold platform or single stand
ard candidate put forward at Chicago
viii be acceptable to our people,
1T can be inferred from the forego-
ing, though Mr.. Smith did not say it
in SO many words, that the delegation
from North Carolina to Chicago will
either disregard their instructions or
bolt the convention should a gold plat
form be adopted as the expression Of
the national party He is the lecog-
nized leader of the radical silver ele-
ment Of his party, and his utterances
are entitled to the fullest weight
capt. Day is not silver man, nor
does he put much faith in the practica-
bility of the proposed combination.
He is willing to make almost any sac
rifices for the Democratic party, and
he sorrowfulIy admits that the free
silver men are vastly i'm thes majority
in North Carolina. He doesn't believe
that the road to victory lies along the
route suggested by Mr. Smith, and he
| would never be albolter from Nation
al Democratic convention, should the
platform make diamonds the only mon
etary standard Mr.. PEBBLES occupies
a sort of middle ground between his
colleagues, and, while not unwilling to
make a combination with the Popu-
lists. isn't clear as to how the union
can be brought about. His voice is for
the white metal There viii be a siren
uoas effort to effect this fusion, for the
men who advocate it are in dead earn
est.
1T is understood that Messrs. Smith
| and Peebls will confer with Senatoe.
Marion Butler and DR.. Mott, manager
| of the silver campaign, to try to effect
cooperation ere the return Of the for
mer to their homes. The news of the
| proposed combine, which is herewith
made public for the first time, will he
very interesting reading to The Posts
Southern constituency, and especially
to the Republican politicians of North
| Carolina"
Smith went to see DR.. Mott three
times yesterday, and while he and
Captain PEBBLES were buttonholing the
Iron Duke in the Corcoran building,
Tom Settle came up with DIR. Sandy
| Hawkins, and laughingIy exclaimed
| that the doctor never had expected to
f7NA bllttb NiOlh atGiIiEt III
| disposed at first to cone in. when
Smith said Mott couldn't keep the DEM
ocrats from endorsing his silver ticket.
whereupon the doctor went TO pieces
| under his Statesyiile smile, and said he
hadn't thought Of that, and guessed it
! was so.
| Messrs. Cotton ana Scales, of States
! vile, and Marshal Allison arrived to-
| day. il is understood that they are
| here chasing up the Smith syndicate
to see what is going on.
DIR. and Mrs. Robert J. Breyard, and
Mr.. Eli Springs. OF Charlotte, are here,
| as also is Mr.. Perrin Busbee, who has
been busily engaged on legal business
for two or three days.
| Capt. John Wilkes, of Charlotte, was
here this afternoon on his way home
from Pittsburg. He returned tonight,
as did also DR.. Brevard and wife, who
are on their way from a three weeks
trip to New York.
Capt Day, Mr. Josephus Daniels,
Col. Cunningham, return tonight
w. Il. CHRISTIAN.