The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-30
THE WOOD LETTER AND THE
pOPULISTS.

done the rank and file of the PopulISt
partv so great service as in securing
tho publication of the Butler-Wood
letters. 1t has been SO long a custom
for a small coterie of political bosses
to make all the arrangements and all
| The nominations, without reference to
the voters. that an insight into the
machinery by which they are con-
trolled is q revelation to the Popullst
voters. Never in the history of the
state. not even among the Radicals in
the Second district, has such autocra-
tic rule prevailed as in the Populist
party.
The Boss has issued his decree after
indicating his plan to small eoterle
of men who echo his sentiments. This
nolicy has repressed all individual
thought, and made dummies out OF
10000 erstwhile independent men. 1t
has been pitiful to see them led by the
nose to do those things that brought
evil to them and dishonor upon the
State. for no other purpose than to
mt selfish and corrupt demagogues in
high places. One day swearing they
would not abase themselves and kiss
the hand that had smitten them, and
the next day, in obedience to the order
of the Boss, bowling the knee like a
slave to kiss the hand that smites.
In all history there has been nothing
more pathetic than the spectacle the
yeomanry of the State have been de-
ceived into making of themselves.
Those of them who have read truthful
papers begin to see that they nave
been made to swear to their own hurt.
4 careful reading of Mr. NJ. i.
Woods letter will further convince
Populists who have not made total
and abiect surrender of everything,
that the time has come for them to
do a little thinking, and to act more
like men than dumb-driven cattle. 1t
is gratifying to all lovers of truth that
the Wood letter appears in this weeks
Caucasian. The editor printed it only
after every other paper in the State
had printed it, and seeks to break its
force by this insinuation:
One thing which seems to US TO be
very clear is that some one with
more cunning hand than Mr.. Woods
worded this letter in part at least, and
IL se.x IN no
ernor.
Other populist papers say it is "a
Democratic scheme" or "a Democratic
lie seeking to break its force by this
clap-trap cry of Populist bosses. That
gag" has about spent its force. The
truth is that Mr.. Wood was as much
surprised at the publication of the let
ter as Mr.. Butler. He sent it, so far as
we know, only to the Populist members
of the Legislature, and other leaders.
and its object was simply to try to
rouse a spirit of resentment against
the "autocratic spirit of Senator But
Ter sitting in the marble halls and
decorated walls of flames proud tenn
Pile" The Populist ring" that re-
wolves around the autocrat now turn
on Mr.. Wood and abuse him because
his declaration against bossism saw the
light. If his arraignment of bossism is
true, as we believe it is, it will have
weight, no matter what is said about
it, or how inconsistent Mr.. Wood may
have been.
Prating of Reform with profess
sional zeal, the Populist ring" have
made slaves and vassals of their follow
ers Mr.. Wood shows some prefer
ence for liberty. There are many
others, we doubt not, who chafe under
the yoke. They may decide to wear
the collar and be driven for another
year, but they are dishonorable and
utterly unworthy sons of their sires if
they much longer permit themselves
to be led by the nose to their own
undoing
1t will not do to lose confidence in
them all. Hard times and Democratic
shortcomings have driven some we'll
meaning men into the ranks of Popu-
lism. They will open their eyes after
they have, without wrong intent, fur
Their Inundated and degraded the
State. And when their wrath is kin
died against the fellows who have be
trayed them for personal elevation
and for personal gain, their vengeance
will be terrible thing to witness.
They will turn and rend in pieces the
| miserable tricksters who have wrought
their own and their States undoing.
The pity of it is that we must suffer
until the scales are removed from their
eyes.
The funniest thing in Buffers letter
| to Wood was his expression of desire
| for an electoral college of silver men
| ''non-partisan like the Supreme Court. !"