The Robesonian., 1897-11-10
After Fusion, WhRt7

As matter of fact would fusion
thisP Unfortunately no. 1t
would not mean union of the par
Mes at all. 1t would mean an
agreement between the represent
atives of the Democratic party and
the leaders of the Populist party
to put one set of candidates in the
field and cast the vote of both par
ties for them. Upon what grounds
could such All agreement be reach
ed2 By a divisions Of the Offices
between the two parties. What
then would become the objective
point of fusiona Purely and sole-t
ly the obtaining of place. Not
good government but spoils would
be the mosfvs power of the fight.
There Would be no union between
the rank and file of the parties
the Populist would remain q Pop
ulist, the Democrat would cfeave
sdAiiDemocracy-
There is no question that the
two parties voting. together would
be victorious. That i5' conceded.
But what wonfdfoflow the victory?
An inevitable and disgraceful
scramble for place" Allmen know
the voracious appetite of the Pop
ulist leader; the Democratic Lead
or would not be averse to his
share and possibly q little more.
Then would come Sdissension, re-
cfination and all the disgusting
scenes that have characterized
fusion between Popuhsts and Re-
publicans{ 1t might not be quite
30 bad it would be bad enough.
From such conditions the Demo
cratic party would emerge weaker
numerically, emasculated, bro
ken in spirit and crippled in self
respect, with future offering
nothing but o dreary round of de-
feats or sordid bargaining for q
voice in the government of the
State. It would have gained one
brief triumph it would have lost
all hope of permanent contro
for years to come. Therein ies
tile fatal objection to fusion; i
means q deal between leaders, no
q coalescence of parties. This i
not an end for which the Demo
cratic party can afford to sacrifc
one whit of principle.
Can the Democratic party vii
without fusion? The outcome 0
an attempt alone can determine
If it loses this time it will wi
next; the chances are in favor c
its winning alone If the fight b
made on the right lines. Whethe
twin or lose it will be the part
Of patriotism and principle an
will draw unto itself in the en-
enough men who place good go'
efnment above party TO insure ii
permanent emancipation of Il
State through its instrumentalit
The majority of Populists q
good citizent; they are honest
their views, whether those viev
be right or wrong; but they a
!. exceptionally credulous. AS T
; suit their leaders are transcen
demagogic. They are mo
dangerous as allies than as en-
mics. Senator Butler recogniz
this and is adopting conciliato
attitude with fusion as its cons
qnent disorganization and turmc
IN view. Out Of this turmoil
hopes to snatch another term
the Senate.
Honest and stable governme
can come to any State or natl,
only through the dominance
one party committed unswerving
TO some fixed policy. From ,
tempted cooperation of two p,
ties committed to two policies a
with two sets of leaders can col
only constant change, vacillati
and unrest. The two parties a
the two sets of leaders may
honest and intelligent to be,
with, in the end the leaders
both will be debauched and {
fury of factional hate will d
place legitimate party enthusias
Corruption is apt enough to crt
into high places; let us not m,
its way inevitable by conditic
wherein he who buys and sc
most shamelessly will be most
victor.
Grant that the Populists CO,
rule well alone. Grant that
Democrats could rule we'll alo
Yet could both jointly not r
well.
The Democratic party ha.
great opportunity, the opportu
ty to assemble the dlscordant
ments of the present and W
them into one strong party un
whose unwavering policy the c