The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-04-20

our political divinity. We claim the
sage of Monticel Ito az our pattern Saint.
We Populists knew in 1892 that We
had no hope through either of the old
parties, as they were then organized.
We knew that both were controlled by
the money power, and when the Demo
cratic party nominated Mr.. Cleveland
for the Presidency, we felt that the
dose was too much; we could not and
would not swallow this agent of Wall
street, and the events of his admins
tration have proven that we were
right. He has wrecked his party, but
he could not destroy Democracy, nor
will it be destroyed until the last spark
of liberty has been extinguished on the
alter of American worship.
Then came the campaign Of 1892,
noted for it's bitterness, it's rotten eggs
and abuse. We were beaten, but not
destroyed. In North Carolina we saw
that the power Of the machine was
against US. Fusion with the Re-
publican party on the common ground
of q free ballot and fair count was
made. On this issue we succeeded and
gave back to the people the right to
vote and have their votes counted. But
changes we're still coming thick and
fast In 1895 the Republican party
took its stand for the plutocrats; the
Democrats split in their convention,
The Southern and Western Democrats,
be it said to their credit, broke off from
their money ruling wing and came
down to bed rock Democracy. They
not only engratted our demands into
their platform, but placed on their
ticket one of the grandest champions OF
the peoples rights this country has
ever seen, W. J. Bryan, who I am told
voted for Mr.. Weaver in 1892. Our
convention endorsed him, just as they
ought to have done, and our party sup
ported him, and North Carolina gave
him her electoral votes; and for one, l
feel proud of that vote, proud that my
State took it's stand by the people.
Then came the question of fusion
again. The Democratic party had on
its State Committee men that / think
ought not to have been there-gold
bugs at heart. Be that as it may, all
offers for a fusion between US and the
Democrats vas turned down, and fusion
with the Republican party was made.
The results are before us. One Of these
results was the legislature of 1896 You
ask if that wasn't a Jim Dandy. Well,
l should say it was a daisy. But the
Populists had men who were az true as
steel; men who / feel proud of, snd who
would not sacrifice their principles for
pie, and who tried to represent their
constituents and do honor to the State;
men who are true AllianCemen. But
they had got in bad company, and they
were not to blame for their association;
the same was beyord them, beyond
their election.
This brings us up to date. Let us
see what we have got. The smoke Of
battle has cleared off; let US look over
the field
We have a Governor Of North Caro-
lima who seems determined to look out
for the States interest, andfor his stand
aud his manly defiance of corporate
greed through the Federal courts, 1
honor him, and believe he will contin ne
to prove that he 10 not only competent,
but worthy to fill the high position.
His Chief aim in Ene past seems to have
been to elevate his party; whether he
will succeed remains to be seen. So
far, he has not been able to do much on
that line as l see it. But l believe the
day will come when Russellism will
have q new meaning in North Carolina.
Then we have some good men in State
politics men who deserve pEeferment.
But a q party we have not gained
much in the State. Fusion seems TO
have worked confusion. But the best
results Of the whole thing to dase is
the advancement of our demands, from
a National standpoint. While fusion
with the Republicans in North Caro-
lima may be q setback, our fusion with
the Democrats in the West has in
creased our representation in. Congress
and given us more Governors of States
than before. While our de uaands are
equally the great issues now before the
people-take our financial plank-we
we're hooted at when we first declared
that the trouble was in a circulating
currency Our railroad plank was
specially derided, and DOW it is plainly
seen that the government must OVID