The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-13
WHY He QUIT THE PARTY
MR. T.. A. THORNE WRITES A
STRONG AND CONVINCING
LETTER.
CLEVELAND DROVE HIM OUT
The Democratic Party is tie Only White Mans
Party, and Has Returned tos is
Old Moorings.

In 1894, Mr.. L. A. Thorne, a promi-
nent citizen of Halifax county, was the
Populist candidate for Congress i'll the
Second district. He is a man of charac-
ter and standing and gave strength to
the party. He has not changed his prin-
ciples, but has quit the party now that
it is controlled by gold bugs and negroes,
and has written the following open let
ter:
Arlie, y. c.. Oct. !, 1898.
Il. S. Spruil, Esq, Louisburg, n. c.:
Dear Sir: Your highly appreciated
and esteemed favor of the 9th ultimo
is to hand expressing as it does gratifi-
cation ut my political course. | am
sure you will pardon me in making TO
you, and through YOU 10 the public, a
plain statement of facts relative to my
political course since ''Our late I'M
pleasantness" In the outset allow me to
say | have never advocated any politi-
cal principle or occupied any position
that | did not think would advance the
interest and well being of my people.
After the surrender Of General Lee, ut
AppomattoX, | enlisted under the banner
of the Democratic party then called the
Conservative party, in order to unity the
old Wing and Democratic parties)
fought faithfully and persistently under
the folds of that banner (as many of my
confreres will testify until in 1892, be-
ing elected at our primary a delegate to
our county convention, and on present
ing my credentials, | was told by q
resolution passed by that convention
and notwithstanding | had been duly
and unanimously elected a delegate al
the township Democratic primary. that
| could have no voice in the deliberatior
of that convention unless | would OBJ
ligate to support man (Grover Cleve
land) for President, who / saw
thought | saw-would administer the
government upon principles undemo-
cratic and on all monetary questions en-
tirely opposed and in every particular
detrimental to the general welfare.
Crank, the convention ought not to have
done that. 1t was unquestionably a big
mistake, and unheard of in Democratic
conventions prior therefor To this de-
mand | could not conscientiously con-
sent, and while it was the bitterest POI
litiral pill | ever undertook to swallow,
/ withdrew from the convention. Then.
what was | to do? The Democratic
party had forsaken some of its time
honored principles and followed in the
wake of Grover Cleveland; a course |
could not endorse; and yet | wal Nill-
ing to support the Democratic parry in
State politics. but | was told no, you
can't divorce State and national politics"
Again, | ask, what was left for me to
do? As my only alternative, | deter
mined to contend for the same sound
Jeffersonian Democratic principles, but
under new and untried banner.
fought as persistently and as earnestly
under this untried banner for four long
weary years, against the billingsgate
invective and ridicule of Democratic
campaign speakers because no argument
could be introduced to assail any prin
ciple advocated, being truly Democratic
] repeat, | fought under this new ban
ner. until in 1896 the party supporting
it forsook MI of it's principles in con
senting to a fusion with a party whose
policy was entirely antagonistic to every
principle we had advocated and upol
the successful issue and faithful admin
istration of which we had proclaimed
from every stump we occupied, we hon
prosperity of our people depended.
say when such a fusion was agreed
upon, | am free to confess, | could no
for the life of lie see anything i'll it
but an entire abandonment of the prin
ciples we had advocated SO strenuously
and in lieu thereof "a certain fearful
looking foe Of few political offices, /
division of the spoils and fiery indig
nation" | believe, however, quite
number of Populists have submitted t.
this fusion because of the want of suffi
cient magnanimity to subdue the preju
dice evolved by the abusive epithets o
campaigners, and / appeal to all such il
the name of reason to stop and thlnl
what is best for the common weal-de
termine to ignore everything like persona
affront and return at once to the supper
of pure and honest Dmeocracy ais tn,
only means of redeeming this gran.
old commonwealth from the miserable
misrule into which she has so inglo
riously degenerated
When this fusion was consummated
did not hesitate one moment. | gay
the party no further support, and whe
the election rolled around | voted, open
". the Democratic ticket and have SUI
ported the Democratic party ever since
Now. why?
/. Because it is the only white man
party.
.. 1t has returned to its moorlngS
Its platform of principles is sound an
solid 1t is contending with yehemenc
for white supremacy and against mon
grel State government, and 1t is ON:
through the administration of the primer
pies incuicated in its State platform
may we hope to see her restored to IN
grand eminence she once occupied Il
this proud galaxy of States, and | shall
continue to support it with all the win
| possess. just so long as she adheres L
the principles of pure Democracy.
have thus briefly and succinctly sketch
cd my political career since our ciyi
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