The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-18
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN
NORTH CAROLINA.

NUM- II 1&AINOLlANAs
The Democrats have not in twenty
years entered upon a campaign with
better candidates and better plat
form than in this year of grace. The
nominees of it's conventions-National,
State and Congressional-have been
endorsed with an enthusiasm that
may be said to be unprecedented. The
nominee for President has been endors-
ed by two other great political con-
ventions, the nominee for Nice-Presi-
dent by one other great convention,
and the nominees in North Carolina
have received ample testimony that
they have not only the enthusiastic
support of the united Democracy, but
of many patriots in other parties Mr..
Watson has not spoken at any place
in the State without receiving the vol
untary assurance of support from
Populists, who are really opposed to
trusts, and country Republicans who
are indignant that their party has been
IoEIHdlly litdG INC pSAaidiShp WI "
the gold bugs. From every quarter,
some of them most unexpected, comes
assurances of support for the Demo
cratic ticket,
There are three candidates for Gov
ernor from whom the people will
choose. There is every reason why the
people should hear from them, in joint
discussion, the claims they make for
their support. All three of them are
well known lawyers, accustomed to
public speaking and debate. Judge
Russell's friends based their argu-
ment for his nomination on the
ground that he was an able debater
and would be able on the stump to
meet any opponent. And yet, having
been advertised as great aehater, he
hasn't the courage to stand up before
the people of the State and debate the
vital issues upon which the people must
pass. Mr.. Watson has offered divi-
sion of time at all his appointments or
offered to make joint appointments, or
to consent to any fair arrangement by
which the voters could judge between
the respective claims OF the Democrat
lie and Republican parties: And yet,
under pretense, the Republican can
didate shows his cowardice by refus-
ing any arrangement to give the peo-
pie an opportunity to hear the issues
debated. Now, if Judge Russell were
unaccustomed to public speaking it
would be entirely proper for him to
decline a joint canvass with an oppo-
nent trained to public speaking, but
his long experience at the bar and his
pride will not permit him 30 decline
the debate on the ground that he isn't
qualified. There can be but two es-
capes for him:
/. He is afraid to meet Mr.. Watson
because he is afraid TO cope with him;
?, He is afraid to let thepeople hear
his lame explanation of how he can
support Mckinley and pretend to favor
free silver.
The lodging plan might have sue
ceeded at one time. Bhis year the peo-
pie recognize but one issue-silveE or
gold Bryan stands for silver; Me-
Kinley for the gold standard. He that
is for Mckinley. is for gold no matter
how he talks. He shat is for Bryan
must vote for silver, no matter how he
talks. Judge Russell and Senator
Pritchard and Speaker Walser may
think they can fool the people by talk
ing for silver and voting for Mckinley.
But the day of straddle-bugs is over.
He that is not for us is against as.