The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-05-13
HON. J. l. SielEY Of GEORGIA.


mi,'ss-why He opposss &C Conference.
Hon. J. l.. sibley, of Marietta, ma
tional committeeman for Georgia,
has this to say concerning an early
convention Of the Peoples Party.
am opposed to such a convention,
and do not think it wise or neees-
sary.
For the first place | do not believe
a body representing the sentiment
of our people could be obtained by
the time named. The unusually
late spring making it impossible for
our people to attend meetings and
Put in operation the methods neces-
sary to obtain representative delega
tons, OF course convention of self
appointed delegates not 20 be thought
| of for q moment. But il the conven-
ton was possible l should still op-
pose it this year, as l do not believe
1t could accomplish the ends for
which /: would be called.
1t is simply impossible, at this
time, for such convention to al
lay the confusion and discomfort re-
sulting from the recent campaign,
If the body be national and repre-
sentative. 1t would be just as un-
reasonable to assume that family
row could be satisfactorily settled
by announcing q public hearing of
the case, while both sides we're still
mad and abusive. A convention in
the near future would result in gen.
eral Indifference to it by one side or
the other, as an effort to pack it, a
fight to control it, a kicking out of
one-half by the other, or a refusal
of the minority to accept the die
tates or censure of the ms jority, a
withdrawal which would prove a
! permanent loss to US, and gain to
the old parties.
1t is folly to assume that the purg-
ing of one-half of the Populist Party,
by the casting out of the other, Will
result in great influx of votes to
both old parties. "a house divided
against itself must fall" Nothing
can illustrate this better to assume
that just such a convention as the
one contemplate d, should be called
for the Democratic party at this
time.
| Would we not be delightedi I,
would mean fight. The gold men
would kick out the Bryan men OF
vice versa The minority would 60
to the Popul .sts or Republicans, and
would mean the end of Democracy
as great national party. Suppose
the Bryan Democrats should control
the convention, drive out the GOLD
. element, adopt the St. Louis plat.
form in toto, and then ask US to >ir
, them, because they were rid of trait
ors and Republicans, would we dc
it, Would We not hold our own
knowing that their house was d.
vided, that they must come to US
, as they were only disturbing fac
tion while ours was national party
Make the application to our party
the result would be the same.
The Populist who voted for Bryar
and Sewall and who honestly though
that by casting his vote he wa
practicing what we had all beer
preaching, putting principle abov.
, party" and adopting the means tha
would quickest bring relief to him
q self and family, is not going to tax
, much "sass" from the Populist, VIII,
' though just as honest, aided Nc
: Kinley's election by not voting a
. all. or by voting the Republican
, ticket, because he saw that De
!, mocracy was not new born,
but the same old wolf in sleeps cloth
ing, that only partially adopted Pop
ulist principles in order that i
y might wholly destroy the Populis
party. Both of these men ar
, good Populists at heart, they viii
come together in time, but not now
. They do not need a convention, il
: which to show up the other fellow
:, mistakes, but time IN which to coo
: of and get forgiveness for their own
. then with a.cemmon enemy to fgh
they will line up more solid tina
ever. But l really think a nationa
convention at this time for the Dem
! ocratic party would be quite tn
thing for US. j. L. SIBLEY,
National Committeeman for Ga
h Marietta, April 26.