The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-04-30
WHERE THE PEOPLES pARTY
sTAND1.

b1A1D0.
We do not believe that there is
single member of the Peoples Party
in the State who is in favor OF &C
cep,ing the proposition made to rs by
the Republican ommittee lsst week.
II there is one. THE CAUCASIAN
wouid Toe glad to publish his name.
The Republicans took il for grant
ed that the Peoples Party was so
anxious for fusion that we would
gladly accept any terms which they
might offer. They offered rs such
terms only as they knew would
mean the death Of the Peoples Party
to accept. Every man who left the
Democratic party in 1892 because
Grover Cleveland, q goldbug, was
nom ated for President, could have
supported the Democratic State
ticket headed by Governor Carr with
the same consistency that they could
accept the Republican proposition
to support a Republican nominee
for Governor. We would not sup
port Governor Carr, though no was
free silver man, because he said
that he would support Grover Cleve-
land, goldbug, for President.
Neither can we support the Republi-
can nominee for Governor who will
support a goldbug Republican for
President. The Republicans know
this as we'll as we do, and know that
it would demoralize US hopelessly to
attempt to pursue such an inconsis-
tent and fatal course.
They know that for us to accept
their proposition would mean that
the Peoples Party would never gain
another vote from either one of the
old parties. Not only that, but the
party would be discredited as par
ty of principle, and could no longer
criticise or attack the policy of the
two old parties. This would force
the members of the Peoples Party
to go into one of the old parties, and
the Republicans felt sure that when
we got in this position, on account
of the abuse which we have received
from the Democratic machine, that
we would 60 over bodily into the
Republican ranks.
This is exactly what the Republi-
cans of the State have counted upon;
and this is why they made such a
proposition to US as they did. Chair.
man Holton gave away their plans
some time ago in q very foolish in.
terview. He boldly claimed that a
large number of the Populists were
already Republicans, and that ove1
half of the Peoples Party would
this year vote for the goldbug nomi
nee for President. But they nov
find that they. were mistaken, and
hence, they are very mad. 1t is 8
great source of irritation to the pol
iticians in the two old parties fol
the Peoples Party to stand up fol
principle, as a standing rebuke t.
the machine pie-counter polite.
which is the trade and occupation
of their leaders.
The proposition which the Peo
pies Party made was even faire1
and more liberal than the Republi
cans could have expected, and W,
do not believe that the rank and FL,
of the Republican party will endorse
its committee in refusing the same
The masses of the people of all par
ties are bound to admire and en-
dorse party which shows that i
puts the welfare of the people an,
the principles Of good government
above q mere dicker for Office. Tn
politicians Of the old parties ha,
just as we'll understand it now tina
the Peoples Party will fight thei
methods, and appeal to the grea
masses Of the people to rally to it
ranks. The Peoples Party is her
to fight both old organizations t
the death, and will never 60 into tn
Democratic party any more than
will into the Republican party.