The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-25
THE POPULIST ADDRESS.
AS ISSUED BY THE OFFICE HOLDERS.

|
placed. now that the storm and strlte OF
the political battles of last fall are past
and the result is seen, desire to consrat-
ulate the party on its wonderful success
# the polls. and its marvellous achieve
ments for good in the legislative, eXecn-
tive and judicial departments OF county
and State.
We have secured to the citizen the
right to cast one vote at all public cleo
tiops and to have that vote counted as
cast.
We have taken the public schools out
of the hands of partisan politicians anu
restored them to the people.
We have given the right of local sell
government to each county in the State
We have redeemed the States educa-
tional. charitable and penal institutions
from the thraldom of political Dias'
We have removed the judiciary of the
State to a safe distance from the arena
of partisan politics.
We have lifted the State government
ont of the old ruts of Bourbonism and
nlaced it in the hands of the people.
Ry our endeavor these fundamental
can citizenship have been re-established
in our State, with many others OF KINDRED
nature which flow therefrom.
Rut your committee would be derelict
in its duty if it did not warn you; that
if these blessings are to be preserved
to us and transmitted to posterity, 1t
must be done by and through the orga-
ization of the Peoples party.
Of
established alike by both the old parties,
has built I'D monopolies; and these mo-
nopolies have in turn preyed upon the
material interests of the country until
there is great restitution, OPPRESSION faqd
want -iii- this land of plenty.
=. And srhe, cry of distress has reached
the k4H and heart of the American peo-
pie.
In 1892 a long-suffering people reject
ed at the ballot box the Republican par
ty which had inaugurated revenue and
financial system fostering trusts, and
combines. But the Democratic party be-
ing in power, fed the people ON broken
promises while they carried out the poll
cy of the Republican party.
And now that the Republican party is
again in control of National affairs, there
is but little ground to hope for better
times.
1t is growing more apparent each year,
that if relief is ever given by national
legislation. it must come through the
Peoples party.
In view of these facts and the logl-
cal conclusions to be drawn therefrom,
the duty of the hour is clearly seen.
The battles which we have so gallant
ly fought for the last few years must
be continued until all organized oposi-
ton to good government shall have been
overthroWn.
To accomplish this much desired end.
there must be the utmost harmony, uni
| ted action and persistent effort.
| Those who are not for us, are against
us; and all these who stand upon the
Peoples party platform are Populists.
| No petty differences on local policy or
personal pique, should be allowed to
mar the harmony in our ranks.
The Peoples party is a young giant
scarcely five years old.
Its achievements in this State in res
toring the rights of the people are equal
to those of the Barons of England at
Runnymede, in extorting from King
John the Magma Charta.
That we should have made mistakes is
but human. No conquering army ever
came out of battle without something
| to regret, and no victory was ever won
without mourning unjust criticism from
the vanquished. With this showing of
the work done and of the work yet to be
done, and our willingness and ability to
| do it, and in consequence of the fact
that the principles and measures en-
bodied in the Peoples party platform,
State an National, are finding lodgment
| in the minds of the great mass OF peo-
pie, we earnestly believe that If every
true Popufist in the State will actively
push the work of organization, our party
will attract to it's ranks thousands OF
others who are Disguised and dissatisfied
with the conduct of the two old parties.
| We believe the sentiment of the people
| of the State to be in favor of reduction
of freight and passenger rates to low
| figure, corresponding with prices pre-
vailing under the single gold standard,
which was foisted upon the people OF
the country by means of fraud and brib-
| cry.
We re-affirm the condemnation of the
| "o9-year lease" Of the North Carolina
Railroad. and we shall use our best eff
forts to have said lease annulled, until
its validity shall have been passed upon
by our State courts.
For a more effective and equitable con
troll and reduction Of the encroachments
of railroad corporations, we suggest that
the Railroad Commissioners should be
elected by direct vote of the people.
In National matters, we shall continue
to labor zealously for the complete re-
monetization of silver at the legal ratio
Of 16 toll, for the destruction of monster
trusts that are to-day sapping and un,
dermining the life of the Republic; fol
government ownership of the railroads
under a rigid Civil Service law, to the
end that the peoples rights and liberties
shall not be trampled upon, as under
present management, by said corpora
tions for the abolition of National banks
and the issuance of all money by the
National government.
To make good the foregoing declara
ton of principles, we shall in the mex
campaign, use every lawful means to aiC
us in accomplishing these reforms, anC
to that end we invite the cooperation O.