The news & observer., 1898-05-27
ALTOGETHER, DEMOCRATS.


Yesterday morning the sun rose upon
a divided Democracy.
This morning the sun will rise upon
Il united Democracy.
Wide differences of opinion existed
yesterday as to party policy. A very
large clement of the party believed it was
the part of wisdom for this convention
to seek cooperation with the anti-Pritch-
ard element of the Populist party. After
the assembling of the convention it be-
came apparent that considerably more
than half of the delegates were opposed
to uniting through cooperation with any
other party, and in favor ~of making the
fight alone. The large minority in the
convention, composed of many of the
first men in the State, favorable to co.
operation, contested III the preliminary
meetings to secure the control of the
convention. When they found themselves
in a minority of six to three in the plat
form committee, they accepted the situa-
tion as patriotic Democrats and sought
to secure such action as would promote
harmony and united action in the party
The action of the convention in adopting
the platform without dissension shows
that the minority was composed of the
best type of Democracy.
me campaign is now on. Three parties
are in the field. The Democratic party,
composed of III, 900 of the best men in
the State: the Republican party, com
posed of 10000 negroes and 10000 Of
flee holders and office seekers: the Pop
ulist party, with something like 10000
votes. In national politics the Populsts
and Democrats agree upon the para
mount issue, and, as both are composed
of white men, they have the same inter-
ests in home government. The majority
of the Populists were formerly Demo-
Gratis. Their future destiny is with their
white brethren of the Democratic party.
The action of their recent convention
shows that they realize that cooperation
with the Republicans will make them
parties to the further degradation of their
State, and make them allies of Il party
that is not only the author of the evils
inflicted by the gold standard but that
places negroes in a position to largely con
troll the affairs of this State. While the
Democratic party respectfully declined
the cooperation offered, they hope to
find common feeling in both parties to
turn all their batteries upon the gold
standard and negro domination party.
Though not working together, if the
Democratic and Populist parties are true
to their principles, they will each fight the
common foe just as the American and
the Cuban armies are fighting the Span
iards. The starvation of Cubans by the
Spaniards is worse only in degree than
Republican rule and Republican legisla-
tion. involving as it does the degradation
and disgrace of every Southern State in
which it obtains a temporary lease Of
power. 1t can obtain only a temporary
lease of power because the people can
stand only a few years Of the corrup-
tion and scandal that are inseparable
from Republicanism south of Mason and
DxOn's line.
The platform adopted is all that could
be desired. 1t shows that the Democrat
ic party is not only true to the declara-
tions contained in the Chicago platform
but that the spirit of that platform per-
vades the Democracy in State as well
as national issues.
The readers of this paper are familiar
with the long and earnest fight we have
made for the regulation of railroad rates,
the extension Of the powers of the Rail
road Commission, the election of Rail
road Commissioners by the people, the
reduction of railroad rates to a point fair
and just to the people and the railroads
for the suppression of the free pass meth
od of buying or silencing public officials
and for legislation that wonld compel al
railroads doing business in the State L
suABlit themselves to the State courts