The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-26
WHAT OTHERS SAY.
GOV. JARVIS WRITES WISELY.
(Webster's Weekly.)

\ " OHoltI y w Htklg.J
Greenyille, n. c., June Il, %.
Hon. John r. Webster Reidsville, N. c.:
My Dear Sir:-I am in receipt OF your
letter of recent date inquiring OF me H.,
in my opinion, there is anything IN the
platform or resolutions adopted at our
State Convention, or in any action taken
by that body which forbids the Demo
Gratis in counties or Congressional dis
tricts from putting a POpullst on their
ticket. | answer there is not. me
State Convention was dealing with the
question of Fusion presented III reter-
ence to the State ticket over which 1t
had unquestioned control. The conven-
ton did not, as / understand it, assume
to dictate to the counties what they
should do or should not do in the selec-
ton of their candidates.
If in any county there exists such
kindly relations between the Democrats
and Populists that the Democrats Of
that county believe that better results
can be obtained by putting one or more
P0pulists on their ticket | know of moth
ing to forbid it. That is a question, it
seems to me, for the Democrats of that
county in convention assembled to de-
termine for themselves and SUD
stantially the same may be said of a
Congressional district. For one l am
not willing to say that the Democrats
of county or district need an over
seer / think they have wisdom, pa
triotsm and genuine Democracy enough
to be allowed to manage their own af-
fairs in their own way. That is one
reason why / was so much opposed
to the State Convention undertaking
to act rs their GUARDIAN
Having answered your inquiry, l trust
may be excused for indulging IN two
or three reflections of a kindred charac
ter
| suppose it will not be denied that
in some sections of the State an
honest effort was made in 1896 to get
the Democrats and Populists to work
together in local affairs and that Mr.
s. o. Wilson was swift to go from
place to place to break up and defeat
such efforts. and that it was believed
at the time that he went with the
full knowledge and approval of Mr.
Butler and Mr.. Aver, the chairman
of the Popuist National and State
committees. In some sections he
succeeded and in others he failed.
believe it is also true that in your Con
gressional district his failure was most
marked. There were many PopuliSts in
that section who refused to be dictated
to by him sind who worked cordially
with the Democrats for the success of
the principles of the Chicago platform
and for good government at home. Now
when thes Democrats hold their conven-
tons if they choose to nominate tSese
patriotic men it is nobody else's bust
ness. Tn some counties it may be wisely
done. ), In others it cannot be done at
ALL IF done i'm any it should be by the
people themselves in convention assem-
bledl
l'lie closing scenes of our State con-
yantion made glad the hearts Of all
those who witnessed them. They sent
IL thrill of JOY and hope throughout the
State and the Democrats In my sec
ton are catching the spirit of unity
and harmony there exhibited and are
ready to work, as never since '76, to re-
store good government TO the people
.bf North Carolina. The loyal spirit
shown by the minority party in the con-
yention was splendid and worthy of all
praise. / have therefore noticed with
regret an occasional disposition on the
part of a few papers to make fun Of and
belittle some of those who were advO-
Gates of fusion. What l especially desire
now to do is to appeal to every Demo
crat i'm the State to let the last vestige
Of differences, pickering, or a want of
charity for and confidence In each other
pass away and be forgotten and let us
enter upon the campaign for good gov
eminent with a unity and a zeal that
will solidify and enthuse our ranks. We
should ut the same time exhibit a spirit
OF unity and Cancellation toward all
men who are not determined to assist
in maintaining the present depIorable
condition of affairs which threaten the
peace and security Of society and which
endangers the sancity of the home, re-
tards the progress of the people and
scandalizes the fair name of the State.
Against ali who seek to uphold these
deplorable conditions, our campaign
should be open, bold, aggressive and red
hot.
Truly yours,