The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-02-16
T FROM ALAMANcR.

to the fact that there had been fusion
in Alamance. Notwithstanding every
person or the fusion ticket was elected,
some of our oveTz jealous Republican
friends we're not pleased; simply be
cause every Populist in the county did
not vote the full fusion ticket for the
county and State, and boldly declared
that they would fuse no more. The Pop
ulists Of this country r a feeble folk
few in number. Yet such is their power
that they have relegated to the shades
of private life every one who pretended
to be in favor Of their principles, and
then afterwards betrayed and deserted
them. We still have that power, and
when proper we will use it. 1t seems,
however, that there are several kinds
of Populists. LIST. Those leaning to the
Democrats. ID. Those leaning to the
Republicans. 3rd. Those leaning to
the Prohibitionists. 4sh. The Simon
pure, who stand so straight that they
lean back. This class is opposed fusion
with anybody or any kind, and will
not go to the mountain, but wait for it
TO come to them.
Many think that the Populist Ma.
tional Convention, with it's Chairman,
erred in not holding an earlier National
Convention. Perhaps this is so. Who
has not erred9 VINO has not made
blundere? Our hind sights are better
than our fore sights. No one knew
that the Democrats would in a large
measure adopt a Populistic platform.
Many of US thought that they would
adopt a silver plank. but none of us
knew it.
But after Bryan was nominated, the
Populists did the next best thing that
they could have done: that was to sup
port him. lido not blame any Populist
for not voting for Sewell. Yet I think
it was a very unwise and impolitic
ching for Mr.. Watson to have written
such a letter of acceptance as ne did.
To have published it promptly would
not have helped matters any way.
Had there been an honest election in
the Northwest, Bryan would to-day be
the President elect.
Now what is the best thing to do9 In
my opinion, it is for the Populists to
cease quarelling among themselves
Let MI. Watson, Mr.. Butler and MI.
Skinner bury the bloody Ratchet,
leave off saying bitter things about
each other, and make battle and wage
war against our common enemies.
The Israelites, in the hour of their bit
terest oppression, were led on to vic
tory and deliverance by a woman.
Even Deborah Joan of Arc, overthrow
the power of England in France.
think Senator Butler has done more
to advarc9 Populistic sentiment in the
United States than any man except,
Col. Polk. 1t was he who drove Sena
tor Hill and other goldbug Democrats
out of the bushes into the clearing. 1t
was he more than any other one who
drove the Democrats to adopt a Popu
listic platform. Now shall we, at the
dictation of Mr.. Pritchard, the Raleigh
Tribune, or that of any man or set of
men, or any journal, set aside Senator
Butler and choose a leader of their ap
pointiDg2
The Trapon maxim was: Fear the
Greeks ever bearing gifts" AS one of
the rank and file of the great Populist
host, we say emphatically that we do
not intend for u political enemies to
appoint our leader, nor suffer them to
conduct our campaigns Shall the
horse switch the tail, or the tail switch
the horse7 Shall the majority of the
POpullsts in the North Carolina stand
as the representatives of the Populists
in North Carolina, with Butler as leader,
or shall it be Harry Skinner, with his
10 boiling Republican Populists9
1t is a difficult thing for any given
number of men to agree perfectly on
many subjects. There are over six
million men who voted for VIM J.
Bryan. There was much difference of
opinion among them. 1t will always
be so. There are some things. how
ever, In common, that we want. All
of US want better pay for our labor; all
of US want more money, and with it
better times and a larger share of the
comforts of life. How shall we get
them9 Shall we get them by each fac
ton fighting under DIFF 9rent names, or
by often fighting each other, or by
Rllying ourselves with those who are
bitterly opposed to our demands9 Are
we striving for the good of the people,
or is this State and country fusion an
nnhnlv alliance for the nnniln of nfinnq