The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-04-23
THE MADDksT MAN,

THE MADDksT MAN.
About the maddest man we have
heard Of during the past ten days is
the oracular editor OF the Charlotte
Observer. lie is so mad that he is hot,
and so hot that there is danger of his
fusing in some way. And he only has
himself to blame, for nobody made him
mad but himself.
The truth is he has been saying too
much about things he didn't know
anything about. lie has been making
statements and uttering prophecies
that will not "fuse" into a fabric of
fact He appears to begin to under
stand that he has made himself little
ridiculous and has gotten mad with
the wrong man over it.
You see, in 1894, Editor Caldwell
used up an edition or two of diction-
aries in abusing what he called an I'M
holy fusion or alliance between the
Pops and Reps; but to his utter con-
sternation the parties went right
ahead and FUSED" just as though he
had never opened his mouth or shar-
pened his pencil about it. He was one
of the prophets who said "fusion
wouldn't fuse" and when it did, an
other supply Of dictionaries was used
up in saying words about it.
Now, few weeks ago there was
some discussion as to whether it would
be possible to continue "fusion." Ed
itor Caldwell broke into the squabble
again, though it was none of his BUSH
ness and his opinion was not asked
for, and with magi-like sagacity and
Oracular assurance delivered the
prophecy that the iioise being made
was by-play, and that there would be
"fusiOn" at all events; that office and
spoils were too tempting prize to be
lost sight OF, &C., &c, and that now
"fusiOn would fuse" or words to that
effect.
Well, the time came for decision
of the question, and 10! though the
tempting prize of office and spoils with
all their most seductive charms ap-
peared rs easy possibilities in the near
future, fusion did not fuse.
We don't blame Editor Caldwell for
getting mad. A sensible man ALWAYS
does that when he sees he has made
ninny-hammer Of himself; but we
think in this instance he got mad with
the wrong man. He says:
"Mr. Butler simply laid impossible
conditions upon the Republicans-laid
impossible conditions upon them pur-
pOsely, we believe; made conditions
which he knew they would not accent
and made them thus because he knew
they would not accept them; made
conditions which he did not want
them to accept"
In our humble opinion Editor Cald-
we'll is talking too much again right
here.
But he keeps right on talking and
finally winds up thusly:
"The Democrats made a platform
and ticket in 1892 for Mr.. Butler and
his crowd. He supported both for a
few weeks, then repndiated the ticket
and ran DR.. Exum for Governor. He
betrayed US then and now he betrays
the Republicans. Is any faith to be
put in this man? None. Will the
Democrats with his record before
them, enter into dicker with him? It
is impossible to believe it,
or course Editor Caldwell is entitled
to his opinion, but We would like to
ask HIM to oil up his analytical opa-
ratus and see if his charge of "be-
trayal" is not made against the wrong
party. Let him just look a moment
and see if he can discover who is in
the middle Of the road, and who is try-
ing to lead off into unknown ways.
FINALLY we want to ask why and
whence this lachrymose and touching
sympathy for the poor Republicans on
the part of Editor Caldwell. We warn
him he is in danger of being charged
with making dicker with these Re-
publicans over whose "betrayal'' he so
copiously weeps. And we want espe-
ciaily to know WHO has asked the
Democrats to enter into d1cker with
Butler.