The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-04-30
Sick Of Old PartyiSm.


positive proof that their motive Was
not love for Us or our cause, or an
effort to relieve our distress, in the
fact that they do not disband and
unite with us. Therefore they have
no claim on cur gratitude, but rather
should they feel grateful TO u for
giving them both prestige and a
chance before the law.
With this claim upon them, coup
led with their hatred for the Demo
cratic party, l cannot doubt that as
an independent party We would get
Large recruits from their ranks when
they see that they can not carry the
State themselves. II ours is truly q
party of reform, it can hardly ac-
complish its aims by pursuing a
course that gives prestige and en-
couragemsnt to q party or parties
which we claim to be corrupt.
Should We fuse, we not only may
not get further recruits from the
Democratic party, but many who
could understand our object before,
may not be able to see it now, and
like q dog that returns to his vomit,
60 back to their own party.
1t must be remembered moreover,
that by fusing we do not get single
vote from the Republican party for
future use, but simply a half vote
from each Republican for the time
being only, leaving intact their or
ganizaticn for future operations
against US.
There is a large element, mostly
in the north and west, but many in
this State, who care nothing for the
underlying principles of our govern
ment, but always vote with the
strongest party. They seem to want
their votes to count, even If they
count-for evil. AS long as we fuse,
it shows weakness and not one oil
this class will vote with US. But
throw our banner to the breeze, in.
scribed thereon the word IRE
FORM" and invite the attention
of all. Announce in blazing
headlines, NO MORE FUSION wITE
ANY PARTY, and on Tuesday
after the first Monday in November
next, VIC will "pile up" a vote thai
will make the leaders of the old par
ties bow their heads in shame!!
AS the county surveyor of thi.
county l have splendid opportunity
to feel Of the public pulse and watcl
the signs in the political Zodiac, ano
l tell you our people, regardless o.
race, color or previous condition o.
political servitude, are tired of ole
partyism.
was dividing lands for Demo
cratic family short time ago and s
neighbor, also a Democrat, knowing
that l was there, called at night t.
sit and chat with US. Of course thu
conversation was in part political
Not one of them attempted to defenc
their party, nor did they say one
word against our principles, bur
continually thrust at me our reIa
ton to the Republican party. Ou1
visitor said, "you are nothing but q
Republican, Mr.. Barbrey." 1 said
mo, John, 1 am a Populist.' he
said, mo, nothing but a Republi
cam l said, well, if you will per.
slst IN calling me a Republican. il
can be no reflection on me as long
as you are a Democrat, for both
parties are equally respon sible fol-
the ills Of our government, and it can
never be any reflection SO long as
you remain in the Democratic party,
Tor the same reason that the pot can
not call the kettle black. He twisted,
grinned and squirmed and confessed
that l had "cornered" him. l ex-
planned to them our reasons for fus-
ing, and they could understand that;
but said my friend John, "you will
fuse again." I said, "If We do, it shall
be your fault again as was before"
He said, mo, you have changed the
election laws to suit yourselves and
have no excuse, but you'll fuse again,
and you'll vote the ticket just as you
did before, now, see if you don't"!
l had "cornered" MIN, and I now
began to feel that l was near a
corner myself. But the point |
wish to make is, that they said moth
ing against our movement; they
seemed to have respect for reform
but not that kind of reform that
must be propped up by rottenness.
But | am a Popul;st, my friend
Johns opinion to the contrary not
outstanding. But l can't sa 2ar
| am a fusionist. No, not nowS
| regard this as the pivotal year
with the Populists, and it is my
opinion that the future success of
the party hinges upon the views
herein expressed. But they are the
opinions of a clod-hopper, and may
be ignored, but the future will de-
eide their truth Or falsity.
1t IS only the leaders of the Repub-
lean party that care to preserve the
party organization. The rank and
file are as tired of so-called Republi-
canism as the Democrats are of So
called Democracy, and only want a
tirst-class opportunity to pack up
and leave.
If they must endorse our princi-
Piles, which most of them do, thew
know that it is Of no advantage to
them to remain under the same lead
ers and continue to; be misled.
frhe office-seekers are the only ones
benefited by preserving the party
tie, and will doubtless pledge them
selves to our principles for the sake
Of a few offices, and then, Pritchard-
like, vote with US when the condi-
tons show plainly that the vote can
accomplish nothing. And, having
satisfied their consciences, begin at
once with tongue and pen to put in
motion spirit of opposition. SEN
ator Pritchard knew when he claim
ed that his course on the silver cues
ton paralleled Senator Buffers, that
the statement was not trna on1 no