The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-02-04

a RepuDlC4n paper CeTtlneS W Tie
true Democracy of the Charlotte OBJ
server. The Observer is no doubt
proud to have its slim color of title
guaranteed by such unquestionable
authority.
CO OPERATION A DISMAL FAILURE.
The Peoples Party was organized
for a purpose. Its great object was to
protest against the hypocrisy that ex-
listed in the old parties, and to stand
as q power to rebuke them or destroy
them unless they should change their
policies and practices. With this as
its avowed purpose, the Peoples Party
grew in numbers and strength with
more rapldity than any party that has
ever before been organized in America.
In two years time it became host of
nearly two million voters.
This growth of power alarmed the
old parties in nearly every State in
the union. They almost frgot their
old methods s:,d way nd turned
their attention to effUr.o 10 destroy
the young political giant either by
crushing it out, or absorbing its life
and leaving it impotent and powerless.
The Republican party defied it ma
tionaliy and opposed to it the power
that comes from wealth through in
timidation, oppression, corruption and
bribery. The Democratic party sought
its destruction by trying to steal its
foundations, leaving it nothing to
stand on and hoping that in such a
condition it would sink into death and
oblivion. No sensible man can deny
that the Peoples party has felt these
terrific onslaughts, andthat the policy
which the party has been almost COM
PEELED to pursue has at least checked
its rapid growth even if it has not
been injured otherwise.
But with all the difficulties it has had
to contend WITH it has sought to be con-
sistent in its efforts to achieve the
purposes for which it was formed and
to have its methods of such achieve.
ment sanctioned by majority of the
voters. When the national Democrat
ic party adopted and declared 70,
nearly every vital principle of thu
, Peoples Party, the Populists were
forced to a dangerous position as .
party. Not to throw their strength
with the Democrats would make then
indefensibly subject to the charge o.
loving party more than principle, ant
| of wilfully dividing the forces that de-
clared in favor of common principles
{ On the other hand, TO throw theil
| strength with the Democratic part,
> without the strongest party guard
meant absorption-political death
e This the Populists did not wish t,
submit to. A means was found, how
r ever, by which the two forces coul'
: unite their strength on the same ma
!, tlonal representatives and they line,
d. up for battle. THEY WERE DEFEATED
, and this is LESSON No. /. If this de
D feat for reform, as declared for had
t come without the aid of the People
Q Party, that party would have bee
e saddled with all the blame of the de
feat. As tits, the Democrats must bea
: the blame in some way, for the bolt
?. ing and detection of those who ha
a professed to be Democrats for thirt
# years was what caused the defeat.
q In various States, local condition
l. were such as to make the nation.
o policy agreed upon impracticable. I
this State for instance, it was foun
It apparently both necessary and advar
= tageous for the Peoples Party to for1
y \ combination with the Republican
% The necessity need not be referred {
d now. The advantage was the certaint
e of FIVE Popuiist Congressman fro1
d North Carolina-a stronger represe,
" tation than could have been secure
It by any other arrangement-and tn
4 much gained for the Peoples Party b
ID a majority rote ofthe people.
Of
re Faithlessness and treachery ca
., hardly ever be foreseen an
ID the record of Populists general
|. In this State, up to now, v,
l. such 10 to make it impossible to in
aglne that either could ever break o,