The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-06

government and the enactment Of an
honest election law But is the ex-
preston that North Carolina is a Re-
publican State and has been since the
war my one offence to the editor OF the
Caucasian? Democratic confession
would Justify the strongest declara-
ton that might be made in support OF
the assertion. The files of the Cau-
casian for 1S92-'94 are a complete cor
roboration of my statement. When
elected to the Senate no obligation was
imposed upon me to abandon the Re-
publican party, or to stultify myself
i'm the reputation of my political con-
victions. / am now and always have
been an outspol<en Republican and an
ardent protectionist, and have now
an abiding faith in the principles OF
Republicanism and until the Republl-
can party shall desert the cause of pro-
lection and it's principles of American
ism I shall claim the honor OF being a
member of it's organization. On the
other hand l do not question the mo-
tive of those who adhere to the Popu-
list party, but concede to them the
right to entertain their views in regard
to national questions. ! have proved
my loyalty to the cause of silver by my
votes in the Senate. My record Will
parallel Senator Buffers on that great
and vital question. They not only re-
fleet the sentiment of the people that
/ represent, but they express my hon
est convictions, and my earnest pur-
pose, to secure an American system Of
finance. | believe that this can be ac-
complished through the Republican
party. | say this with a full llnOwl~
edge of what the Republican party has
done for silver and of what it has
omitted to do. It's omissions | do not
eXtenuate, but / entertain an abiding
faith in its honesty, its patriotism, its
intelligence, and it's answering devo-
ton to American interests. | say with
perfect frankness that the Republican
party does not favor the free coinage
of silver as an independent, single and
separate financial policy, but a strong
minority of the party actively and Wig
orously support the policy. There is
wisdom enough in the leadership of
the party, in my opinion, to reconcile
this difference, and to restore silver to
its functions in our monetary system.
1t is the men and those holding sim
liar views who. at the last election,
were elected congressman, Judges,
Senators, Representatives, Sheriffs,
Treasures, Registers of Deeds and Con-
stables and other officers in
our State whose reelection / sin
cerely desire. | cannot get the consent
of my mind to withdraw from these
men (now that we have secured local
selfgovernment and an honest cleo
ton law by their add and leave them
to the tender mercies of the Demo
cratic party of North Carolina The
most effective way to secure the cleo
ton of these various officers is TO
make mutual concessions and treat
each party fairly.
But in all seriousness how insignifi-
cant and unimporatnt is the National
money problem as compared to that
Of self-goyernment which now con-
fronts all Republican and Populist
voters alike in North Carolina. The
question with me is whether the peo-
pie shall have home rule, honest cleo
tions, local self-government and I'M
qualified suffrage / shudder when /
think of our coming fate in the event
that Democratic Legislature is cleo
ted next fall; it viii mean the repeal
Of the present election law; the repeal
~ TIC est EidhdbS iOtdl sell -SoNeih-
ment to the people; the enactment of
a law which will practically disfran-
chise a large number of our voters,
thereby making it well nigh impos-,
sible for Republican or Populist to
be elected to any office in North Caro-
lima in the future. That peril blinds
me to all experiments and new ALI
ances. And this is my reason, Mr..
Editor, for urging cooperation on the
electoral, State and county tickets.
] shall thank you to publish this
hurried reply to your criticism of the
statements referred to by me in this
communication.
Respectfully,
n DDITCII ADn