The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-01
let US HAVE A BIG CONVENTION.

The coming State Democratic conven-
ton to be held on the 26th of May is
the most important gathering that has
been called in North Carolina since the
Hateful election of 1894.
\ Democrat of long experience and
much political acumen. when he saw the
slim attendance upon the State conven-
ton in 1894, said to a friend: This
small convention makes me fearful of
the result of the election" His neighbOr
said THE slim attendance is Cue to
the fact that there are no candidates
to be nominated The people are too
busy to leave their farms" This ex-
PLANTATION didn't explain as the result
showed in November. The people were
dormant, Clevelandisn4 had smothered
the life out of the party, and the cam
paign was almost barren of enthusiasm.
The coming State convention will be
composed of over one thousand delegates.
Aside from the fact that the Importance
Of the work demands the attendance of
every delegate. for it ought to be de-
Lucrative body composed of the wisest
men in the party, the presence OF a
large and enthusiastic gathering OF de-
termined Democrats will beget an en-
thusiasm that will blaze from one end
Of the State to the other.
There is a power in a great convcn-
ton thatJcannOt be overestimated. The
delegates are not only themselves ami
mated by a high resolve, but they carry
home with them an enthusiasm that is
contagious. The convention of 1876 car
red the election. 1t was largely attend
ed Many men who had not been
strong Democrats attended and were
converted by the eloQuence and the
patriotic feryor that characterized the
body. In some degree every campaign
has been Influenced by the spirit
Of the convention. A slim convention
is dangerous. for North Carolina goes
Democratic only when the people are
aroused. The ''arousement' should be-
gin with the convention and increase
with each passing week until the polls
close.
There was never more reason foN a
great convention than now. The state
and federal governments are in the
hands of men dominated by trusts,
bond syndicates, negroes and unworthy
whites. To drive these money changers
and scandals-breeders out of power and
to restore good government in the State
and nation is the mission Of the Dem
ocratic party. In this contest it should
and it will welcome as its allies all men
who are Disguised with the scandals of
the state government and the robbery
of the people by the federal government
tariff. Men who think alike should vote
together. Men who talk silver and vote
for the advocates of the gold standard,
and men who say they are for white
supremacy and vote with and for negroes
are Republicans in practice There is
an impossible gulf between them and
Democrats, but there is every reason
why men who are ready to fight for
1.-The white man and the white metal
should cooperate to secure White supre-
macy and bi-metallism.
There may be differences as to policies
among Democrats. If so, they will
be settled in the convention without bit
terness or passion. 4 slimly attended
convention might give room for the spirit
of faction. A great gathering of the
best men in the party, met together to
deliberate as to the wisest policy, will
leave no room for faction or hurtful
disputation. 1t will hear honest diff
ferences, act without passion or preju
dice and will go forth to conflict and
to victory with "the white man and
the white metal" rs the shibboleth of vie
tory. Let every county send ut least its
full quota of delegates and let alternatcs
and visitors be encouraged to come.