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

fronting conditions Of the near future
brought forward the question Of con-
tinued cooperation between the Pe0-
pies Party and the Republican party
for consideration and some expression
Of opinion on the part Of the repre-
sentatives Of the two parties. The
conclusions arrived a. are before the
great popular jury for its verdict.
Some analysis Of the propositions
suggested by the conference com nit
tees ~ q basis for continued cO-0pera-
ton may prove interesting. The Pop
ulists earnestly sought some plan
which could he offered to the Republi-
cans without a compromise OF posi-
tIon. dignity and principle on the
part VI either party, and after due de-
liberation decided that a proposition
TO cooperate on q policy formulated
and approved by representative Re-
publicans Of the United States could
not be otherwise than acceptable to
that party. This policy involved a de-
mand for financial reform to the ex-
tent, mt least, Of declaring in favor of
the free and unlimited coinage Of sill
yer and gold at the ratio of IG to !, in
dependent Of other nations.
This being n cardinal principle of
the Peoples Party platform, the COM
mittee very properly determine that
1t was their imperative duty to de-
mand Of any man or party that might
desire Populist cooperation and sup
port a full recognition of that prin-
ciple. Further, 1t was thought that
such recognition could be demanded of
the Republicans Of North Carolina
without doing violence to their posi-
ton and principles, for it was nothing
more than what had been publicly ap.
proved by a large number of their ma
tional representatives, including the
Republican u. $. Senator from this
state.
The tariff or the policy of protec-
ton does not appear in the People 3
Party platform as n specially funda-
mental or cardinal principle, but it is
special part Of the Republican plat
form. Therefore, after having decided
to make demand on the Republican
party for the support of a Populist
principle (and one which had been
endorsed by Republicans) the Popu-
lists determined, as an evidence of
good ia tn and feeling, to offer their
support toa Republican principle in
the following words:
And we are in favor of tariff
which shall be sufficient to eaualize
the cost of production i'm the United
States and in Europe and in Asiatic
countries, and that the protection in
cident to such tariff shall be equally
distributed in every section of the
United States, and between the yari-
ouss products and industries of each
State"
In this proposition there was as much
OF concession to Republican principle
~ there was Of demand for a recogui.
tion Of Populist principle. On behalf
Of the Peoples Party committee, THF
CAUCASIAN invites full and exhaust.
I've analysis Of what was proposed. Sc
sure are We that it is dignified, honora.
bic and consistent, We are almost con.
strained to defy any honest man O,
any party to present an unfavorable
criticism Of it.
How was this proposition met by tb.
Republicansp BY n fatuous, selfish
cold blo0ded and almost brutal promo.
sition to overwhelm . political epemy
by numerical strength and then coolly
divide the plumber amonga few men
There was not the shadow of sueges.
ton ~ to an issue on which both par.
ties could favOrably unite. There Is
no evidence that a moments thought
was given to the interests of the peo.
pie ON whose votes the capture and
distribution Of spoils depend. A flat
Interpretation of their proposition
can be nothing less than this: eve
the office-holders and leaders, are in
this thing for the stuff and pie, and
We have no further interest in the peo.
pie than to use them to that end.n
The CAUCASIAN yields to none in in.
tensity Of desire to defeat and preven,
common political machine enemv
from presiding over the destinies n,
State and nation, but it does now and
always will condemn any plan, even
Tor that purpose, which has for it's frs,
object soft snaps" and plumber for .
fortunate few, aud takes no account n,
the people whose suffrage does And
must elevate the tew to these desirabl,
positions; and we would have felt in.
sxpressibly Inundated and disgraced
before an intelligent public if the
committee representing the PEOPLES
Party had acquiesced in the Republ;.
can proposition.
From every consideration of COM
mon decency and equitable reciproci.
~. the first thought Of man or n,rtv
that 10 honored with the confidence
and votes Of the people should be the
interests Of the people. They can onlv
be the benefciaries Of the policy for
which they vote Git the policy be at
oil benehcial) and the men whom they
elevate to positions of emolument and