The news & observer., 1897-01-22
FRIDAY,
EFFECT OF PRITCHARD'S ELEC
TION ON THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.

In opposing the reelection of Senator
Pritchard we were not actuated by any
partisan considerations, for, looking at the
result from purely partisan standpoint,
his election is probably the best thing
that could have happened for the Demo
cratic party. That we always took this
view is apparent from the following edi-
torial which appeared in the News and
Observer of January 18th:
'.The editor of the News and Observer
has received a private letter which says
in part:
why not stop your fight on Pritch-
ard? In fact it would be the best
thing that could happen to our party
to let the Populists elect him. In fact,
if you could privately do anything to
secure his election, without it being
known, you ought to do it. If he is
elected, the responsibility will, of
course, fall upon the Populists, and
this would be the best campaign card
for u.s."
I'VE confess tfrat@we had at one time
considered the matter from this point of
view. and we now admit that, looking at
the matter from standpoint of party
advantage, it might be good card for
the Democratic party if the Populists
should help to elect Pritchard. 1t would
forever end all the claims of the Popu-
lists that they are the only consistent and
true friends OF silver. In fact, it would
at once give to the Democratic party the
unquestioned right of way as the true
silver party.
But the United States Senate is SO
close, and the interests of the country at
large so great, that we do not feel JUS
titled in playing politics for party advan-
tage at the expense of the whole country.
Six years is a long time for the State
to be represented by man who is at
heart in full touch and sympathy with
the Sherman crowd. We expect to see as
great revolt against Mckinley as there
has been against Cleveland. Two years
from now the people will have a ma
jority of the lower House of Congress,
and then Bryan, or some other such man,
will be sure to be elected President, de-
feating the gold Democrats and gold Re
publicans combined. And at that time, If
we can now prevent Mark Hanna from
getting a majority in the Senate, the
way for the people to secure relief will
be open These matters outweigh with US
all considerations of mere party advan-
tage."
We have seen no reason to change
these views. The people who look for
any betterment Of their condition from
the Mckinley administration are doomed
to disappointment. A few protected in
hn tom vii inncu 10,
with a spasmodic prosperity, but it will
be at the expense of the producers and
laborers, and will be short-lived. Mr..
Pritchard is hand and glove with the
men who will control the administration.
He could never have been elected but
for their assistance. He will act with
them, and the people, when their disap-
pointment is fresh, will repudiate him,
and all who helped to elect him, as well
as the administration. The policy that
Mark Hanna will have carried out will
producers, and in 1893 the advocates of
silver will present an unbroken front
to the goIdolators, high tariff tinkerers,
and false prophets. In that day, when
the peoples wrath is kindled, the
gold men, the two-faced demagogues,
and the Populists who betrayed princi-
pie will be burned up as stubble.
There il nothing in Pritchard's cleo
tion, except that six years term, to
give Democrats cause for party regret.
Populist perfdy and Republican Doodle
ism win rebound to our advantage as a
party, and ultimately it will separate the
pretended silver men from those who
are honest and hasten the day when the
silver forces will fight harmoniously to
right the wrong perpetrated by Populist
pie-hunters in the Legislature OF 1897.