The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-09-22
A CONDITION, NOT A THEORY


sion in this city, We presume tnst
these committees are earnestly striving
to effect some arrangements to secure
the electoral vote of this State for
BRYAN. We believe that any effective
efforts will be approved by the masses
of both parties, but woe be unto both
committees if they attempt to thWart
the will of the people and cast the cleo
toral vote for that arch goldbug Arthur
Sc wall, of Maine. This will be done
directly or indirectly if the Democratic
proposition is accepted, i. e., five Pop
ulist electors and six Democratic cleo
tors. Tnis is the actual condition, not
a theory.
We warn the Democrats Of this State
against Clevelandism. Taey well re
member how Cleveland wrecked their
party. Sewallism now threatens 1t
with even more fury. The Populists
and honest Democrats of North Caro-
lima DUiU not throw their votes away on
another New Eugland traitor.
When a man declares that he will
not vote a goldbug ticket, we always
understand that he means he will not
countenance that side of the question
by giving his vote and influence unre
servedly. No one but An extremist
will refuse to vote for one or two gold
bugs if there is no alternative, and If
the success of great measures depend
upon it. If a vote for John Sherman
or Grover Cleveland for some high Of
flee would bring about financial re-
form we will swallow the dose. If, by
voting for Arthur Sewall, we could
elect Bryan and a silver Congress, and
there were no other way, we would
swallow the dose. But such is not
necessary, there is a remedy at hand.
The whole truth is: SeWall is the
greatest obsta Gle in the way Of Bryan's
election. He is dragging Bryan down
dangerously near to defeat. Thousands
will not go to the polls unless the at
mosphere is cleared up, and this is es-
pecially true in North Carolina, for her
sons are sturdy, and they are thorough
" disguised with the status of affairs.
They ca0nct be persuaded nor driven
to the polls. Many States will be close
at best, and a few stay at homes will
change the result.
Nov let's see if there ara not good
reasons for apprehension. New York
will hardly go Democratic. The great
money power is quartered in that State.
The rural population is c~omparativly
small. The people are not educated On
the financial Question. Mckinley will
carry the State. The same is true Of
New Jersey. Even Maryland cannot
be counted on for Bryan. Most of the
population of that State is found in
Baltimore, one of the strongest gold
bug cities Then go Westward and you
will find absolute uncertainty. Iowa,
Illinois, OHIO, Indiana and West VIr-
ginia, are extremely doubtful, and
there is no denying it. Kansas is torn
all to pieces by political treachery, and
may go for Mckinley. These are con
ditions, not theories.
If Bryan is elected it must be done
by the vote Of a solid South and a solid
West, and to bring this around will
have a wonderful effect in the doubtful
middle States. Success is a great har-
moniz9r. Prospect of defeat will tend
TO discourage and cause a larger stay
al home vote.
At present North CArclina is a doubt
full State, more so, perhaps. than any
other Southern or Western State, end
S9wall is the stone around Bryan's
neck. He can add nothing to the ticket,
he is detracting every day. He can't
carry his own precinct, can't even
carry his own family. for his son is
making speeches for Mckinley every
day.
Watson is a Southern man. He is
every thingthat Bryan is, while Saw
all is a second edition of John Sherman
and Grover Cleveland. Democrats
everywhere. are announcing their in
tention to support Bryan and Watson,
for Watson is a real Democrat and
Sewall isn't; Watson is e reform man,
Sewall isn't. If the Democratic Exc
utive COMMITTEES has the power to
give five out OF eleven electors to Wat
SOD, it has the powerI 10 settle the entire
trouble by making it Bryan and Wat
SOD, and North Carolina will then be
safe and every patriot in the land will
applaud. The Populist Executive
-hArnlA IL