The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-04-01
SUMTER. S. c.. WEDNESDAY, APRIL l, 1896.

money in the large cities to the detri-
ment and ruin of the country.
There are other planks of great i'm
portance. but they are few, and the
platform should be brief and clear
cut. The masses never are capable
of studying more than one great
question at time, and in proportion
as they are distracted by contending
ideas just so are they divided and de-
feated
THE PARTY BOUND TO SPLIT.
If we fail to get the national con.
vention to give US platform Of the
character outlined and loyal candi-
date on it we should withdraw.
Why 3? Because in the present con-
dition of the Democratic party in the
Uuited States there is absolute an
tagonism of purpose and feeling ex-
listing between the two wings. The
difference is as great as between
Democracy and Repubicanism. 1t
is just as pronounced, as irreconcil-
able, as bitter as the feeling which
existed at the Charleston convention
in 1860. The struggle then was for
the extension of slavery in the terri
tories, and the party split asunder,
nominating two sets of candidates.
Now the issue is whether money or
the people shall rule. AS | see it, it
is bound to split again when it meets
in convention. Gwen though" to
quote the language falsely attributed
to Mr. Latimer, "the goldbugs are
disposed to deal fairly with the
silver men and. to pat up a ticket to
represent both factions This is an
impossibility. No fair dealing can
be expected frcm the men who
foisted on US the silver plank in the
last national platform. No fair deal
ing can be expected of those Eastern
Democrats 80 called who in the face
of that pledge sustained the Presi-
dent in repeating the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act. No fair
dealing can be expected from the
men who defeated Hardin in Ken
tucky last fall. aud have just prevent
ed the election of Blackbnrn.
RESULT og "A sTRADDLE
The differences are irrecencilable,
the conflict is irresponsible, and all
true Democrats must resolve to stand
by the principles of Jefferson and
Jackson. or expect to see the party
utterly destroyed and a new party
take its place Any compromise or
straddle will cause the Pepalists and
silver men to sweep the South and
West and the Democratic party will
be only a name and will become the
third party, sheald it be fortunate
enough to carry single State. But
those who urge that we stick to the
party, no matter what may be its
platform, will retort at once that it
the silver Democrats bolt at Chicago,
the sane result will follow / grant
it so far as the present organization
is concerned aed also as far as the
name is concerned, because there
would inevitably be new party
formed embracing all the elements of
the three parties walioh stand for free
silver and financial reform. But the
principles and the platform of such
new patty, if it be formed, will be
those of Jefferson and Jackson and
Lincoln and if it does not win the
victory this gear, it will be bound to
carry the coutry in 1900 1t will be
the genuine Democratic party. 1t
mist not be forgotten too that the
Republican party is split and torn
over this issue as we'll as ours.
THE SEEDS HE sowED.
Now let us look at our local con-
ditions in the light of past events
and the present surroundings-some.
thing The Register seems entirely to
ignore. In 1892 there were not less
than thirty Thousand Reformers in the
State and possibly more who were
strongly tempted to vote for Weaver
and were loath to participate in the
national Democratic convention by
sending delegates to it. Where
do these men stand to-day, after hav
ing been deceived and betrayed ?
The news comes to me from all parts
Of the State that they feel just what
the Rev Mr.. Reid expressed in his
letter, and they fell it so strongly that
unless they have assurances that
participation in the next national
convention will not bind their con-
sciences and votes if they dc not see
proper to endorse Its action. that they
are now gravely considering the