The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-12-06
HON. GEO. E. BocGs WRITES.

OCAAC@AC-A~A~S -
In ths lass issue Ct TIE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER the editors asked for the opin
ion OF reformers regarding certain
questions which pretty we'll owe the
political situation, and though l will
not attempt 20 answer them categoric
ally, I will give my views OF the politi.
cal situstion and thus answer them in
due course.
Twas s. much opposed to the present
leadership uf the Democratic party il
this S s5a, the methods they were using
TO eeoura power and 80 6~istlustful OF
she use g1eF would make q IL that
several week ego, in q letter to Mr..
Poe, the associate editor Of The Pro
GRRssIvE FARMER, which he published,
advised the Populisgs to stand mi
tediy against them, Notwithstanding
nv opposition to GusiOn from the time
it was ipaugurated. l after wards re
GREETED that l had done so, because l
thought Il best for the issue to be set
tied, and q SO because I might appear
TO give even q quasi endorsement TO
fusion. / am o disturbed by the re-
suits OF the election. So far as the
Democratic party Is concerned it re
calls in many respects it's national
victory IN 1892 its bad leadership,
it's false issues, It's getting together a
most inc0agru9us crowd who CANNOT
BE PERMANENTLY UNITED any more than
oil and water, and the completeness
of their victory, which is pretty Ger
tain TO tucn their heads. / told my
Democratic electoral competitor in '92
when boasting of the sweeping triumph
of the Democratic party, Just whoop
it up, whoop it up, Mr.. O., the great
or your opportunities the greater fools
you will be-" He after wards admitted
the truth Of my prediction.
The contest this year has settled
one qlesti2n-a question that could be
settled in but one way when actively
pressed-setCled opposition to the in
creased and increasing power of the
ignorant negro masses in governmental
affairs. I said at the outset of fusion in
this State that such allies would prove
worthless when the hour Of trial came
The real living, burning questions
that are agitating our whole country
have not been touched upon, and are
smouid ring AMI burning and will,
SOONER OR LATER BURST INTO A CONFLA-
GRAFTON.
There s one other all important ques-
ton snas nas been settled oy this con
test. Z. too, was q question that
could Oe settled in but one way and
the sooner il was settled the better for
ell cCncerneG-
Fusion has BEEN ANNIHILATED, and
Irejc1cs il this fact, for there was no
hope Of reform of lasting value whilst
it liv8d. As TO tne Democratic party,
nothing saved it from overwhelming
defeat N 90 but the treachery
and foIsy Of the PlpuIist leaders
at ST. Louis. Their power is now
shattered and I zee nothing TO pro
sect tbs Democratic party from
q great dis4ster-perhaps g Water
loo-i1 1890, II tne true rafoTmers
Of the Country will unite and do
their duty. FJr the masses Of the
Dsmocr tic party 1 have the profound
est respect, Gu5 I have no confidence
whatever il the large majority of its
leaders
The. gr8at duty of the hour is for
the Srue Tesorm3rs, trampling fusion
under their feet, taro wing overheard
the foolish and treacaerous leaders
who have so nigh, If not altogether,
destroyed the Peoples party to unite
solidly together and be a rallying point
for the dissatisfied 10 both the old par
ties wkc nov number hundreds of
thousands, and those numbers will be
RAPIDLY AND LARGELY INCREASED in
the near future. Whether We shall
undertake u reorganize the Peoples
party with the very name Of which so
mucn OF passion, prejudice, and i'll
repu5a are now unfortunately associa
ted Or organize under a new name,
still holding to our cardinal principles
is a question that have not fully de
cided. These cardinal principles are
in my opinion
1s5. Direcs legislation by the Init
tiative, referendum and imperative
mandate.
Pad. Direct issuance by the general
government 50 the people without the
interference OF banks, at a low rate of
interest o. United States treasury
notes. q full legal tender for ali debss,
public and private, thu same with
coins TO constitute the currency Of the
country.