The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-12
WAY OUT OF THE WILDER
NESS.


- kk1S
E-Sh Carolina will show this that the
party was in the minority.
N In equally apparent that 1t has Deen
N the minority for some years. The
4kzuxse of this vas unquestionably the
AneSection in it's ranks-so many VINO
md worked for 1t and voted for its can
I3IAzfes going off and strongly cooper
za5ux with the old corrupt n rejected
against which they had striven
~ Tong and faithfully. The going out
Hk1m the democracy Of some tens or
l1uusands Of voters and cooperating
Dfxh the venal, ~unprincipled radical
esnrfy threw the democracy into the
E7nority. All know what unfortunate
results have followed and what great
~rungs have been visited upon the
a4ate, upon the people Of all parties.
Eociety Is so organized and govern
xnent 80 operates that wrongs cannot
fAU altogether upon political oppo-
xeuts. but all must share bad conse-
auuences il not altogether at least In
mart If iniquities abound the men who
cause them cannot escape untouched.
~Yhe fires hat burn one must burr all.
In looking around for an opportunity
&c reclaim the state and save 1t from
FARTHER injury, The Messenger has be-
7ieved and said that the only safe, sure
way, was by all good citizens, really
patriotic and favorable to honest, good,
equal, economical government, getting
together in support Of a common
ticket, and thus redeem North Caro-
lima and restore order and confidence
and hope. To this end, the Messenger
said not lone ago that a white mans
party was necessary. We have seen
no cause to change the view taken.
The democrats voted in 1896, about
14O. 900. They must have some 3O,OOO
yDtes additional perhaps to make sure
OF the state in 1898. Where are they to
come from? We do not know but of two
sources upon which to draw.
1. The stay-aways. There are $4,000
voters in North Carolina who do not
vote.
2. Tho men who seeded from the
party, numbering some 10000 possibly.
.Thes two sources must be strongly
drawn upon if the democrats shall car
ry the state. We do not believe that
the democratic party should cease to be
strictly democratic. That would mean
division, disintegration, destruction 1t
is the only party ever in North Caro-
lima that has served the state we'll and
drought to it prosperity, glory. safety,
confidence. 1t cannot afford to alter it's
--a--.Y1- - .ok1l xyc%aro re INV LIND
I'm doing that it would repel and lose
more votes than it would gain. 1t can
not afford to lower it's crest or daily
with revolutionary demagogues or
wildcat theories or reckless ~demagOgic
demands. Not that. 1t must retain first
the support of it's rank and file who be-
fieve in fixed basic principles, that are
not republican, that are not strictly
-populist, that are not in any way an
abandonment Of it's fundamentals that
have given stability, power and success
to the party in the past.
1T must open wide it's doors and be
hospitable to all corners, who are will
ing TO cooperate and help say the
good old state in 1898, from farther
spoliation and humiliation and dis
grace. 1t must be willing to allow men
of all p~arties-true republicans who are
sick of bad laws and ignorant legisla-
zion and incompetent and corrupt Of
Iicials in state, in county, in municipal
government; decent populists who do
not believe in the rule and ruin prOpa-
sEanda, and are ready to bring back the
-A-A- &C. condition of GOOD rn1o on1
honest dealing; s~elf-respecting blacks
Uho are not hostile to the whites who
help them to live and to ducat their
nf1spring, and do not desire to see ig-
norance and vice ruling intelligence
md virtue.
But this does not mean coalition. This
does not mean swapping offices. This
does not mean combination and honey
juggling and breaking down party or
~xanizations. 1t means an united, pa
friotic effort on the part of good citi-
zens to put only faithful, honest, capa-
BILE men in office in the state that we
may all once more enjoy such govern
ment as once blessed North Carolina
a government in fact of the people and
Dy the peOple-nOueSt just, Sale, cIedH
government. The democratic party
has 14O,O 900 or $50, 900 members in the
state. 1t is a compact, well organized
party. 1t has principles as we'll as a
history. 1t tands squarely as its very
name declares for a government by the
peOple-it represents principles we'll at
tested, sufficiently tried-it has an hon.
nroh1o foir otfro otiva history r. d.
serves confidence. 1t ought to win sup
port from all good and true men of al
parties.
1t must not in it's Cancellation lose
slight of it's integrity, it's principles, its
foundations. 1t must not surrender it:
honest convictions. 1t cannot afford tt
Surrender one iota Of basic principle
II can invita the aid of all men VIII