The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-05-07
Tur STAND WILL nE sUsTAIxED.

The position taken by the State
executive committee OF the Peoples
Party ut its meeting on April 10 II
has been so generally approved, and
10 little criticised, IL indeed any
thing at all worth noticing has been
said by way Of criticism, that THE
CAUCASIAN feels at liberty Ia say 1t
is the position that will be taken
and maintained by the Peoples Par
ty State convention. Not only has
appreciation come from POpulists,
but many members Of other parties
have openly expressed their appre-
citation and qualification ut the fact
that there can be and is in this State
and in this nation political organ
isation having tho patriotism and
courage to relegate spoils and Office
TO . position secondary to principle.
Many people Of both the old par
ties have been hoping for and seek
ing political integrity. For long
time past many Of them have been
casting their ballots without enthusi-
asm and with no hope Of effecting such
reforms as they wished for in their
hearts, and such reforms as they
know are absolutely indispensable
for the progress Of country and peO-
pie and for the perpetuity OF repub-
loan institutions. But their hopes
had long been deferred by the par
ties with which they affiliated. Con-
hdsnee in these parties had become
sadly passive and there remained to
these men only the Indifferent, per-
fsnctory duty Of casting a ballot
for-sithsr NOTHING or for some
man to get an Office.
Hence, when the representatives
Of the Peoples Party unhesitatingly
rejected . proposition suggesting a
shsme of unqualified political spolia-
ton and plumber, and declared that
there could be and should be pRIN-
CIPLE in politics, their declaration
sounded like the first peals of the
famous old Liberty Bell when 1t an
nouncod that those who signed the
Declaration Of indie pendence had
"dared to do it,"
In both instances some people
were stunned by the audacity shown.
Others heard with amazement. 9th
ers hesitated to believe. Others de-
clared that there would be and must
be . recession from the position
taken. But following the violent
oommotion Of establishment was a
reaction, and people everywhere
we're glad and comforted. A line of
demarcation had been drawn and
was clearly visible. A cropping or
searching for the line was no longer
. factor in popular unrest and dis
turbance. Uncertainty of policy no
longer confused and Disguised the
man who sought for certainty. The
line being distinct and unmistaka.
BILE, it only remained for him to de-
eide on which side of the line he
would take his stand.
There is now we'll defined ant
distinct line drawn. 1t was draw
by the Peoples Party. On one sid
this party stands declaring that i
stands for financial reform; declar
ing that the systems, inaugurate,
and Allotted and nurtured by the tw'
cid parties, are sncroaching upo1
the rights and liberties of the PEG
pie; that these systems are concen
trating tho wealth Of the countr,
into the hands Of a few; that govern
nent favoritism and paternalism il
the interest Of these FEW are despoil
ing the people and making then
poorer, and declaring in thunde
tones that these systems must b
changed and the spoliation Of tn
people STOPPED!
On the other side Of the line ar
the two old parties-a part of on
declaring for one thing and pa,
for another; struggling and fightin
TO further the personal interests Q
men who are owned body and sol
by trusts and tho money power spill
ting themselves in twain in som
States over the vital issue before tn
people; boiling in State convention
and threatening to bolt in nation,
conventions; scrambling for spoil
and bidding for Office; declarin
that present chaotic conditions sha
continue to exist; outlining no ne
policy; striving Tor no reform an
promising no relief; all in a state {
uncertainty, confusion and disint
grating organization.
We wish to say here and now th,
there will be no recession from Il
stand taken by the Peoples Part,
II there be any who hope to see
change its attitude in State or nj
tional matters, they are doomed
disappointment. There need be Z
waiting to see if it will stand fir
Its position has been taken and i
policy outlined after mature delibe
alton, and no earthly power ca