The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-20
WAYS THAT ARE DARK: TRICKS
THAT ARE VAIN.

II VI the popuiIslS lAiih mat the Old
mother state is about dead for sit
stinketh." So they gather at Raleigh
for the pickings.
Read the proceedings reported by The
Messengers correspondent at Raleigh
in yesterdays issue and behold the
mess. A regular scramble and most
unseemiy. The various opinions given
out by party managers are edifying
and helpful. j. B. Schulken, tempo
rary chairman, said: Some OF us fa-
vor fusion with democrats. Others IA
for fusion with republicans, and others
do not favor fusion at ALL" They are
made Of the same kettle of fish" that
SINNERS over the democratic fire at
present.
That robust kicker and marplot.
Butler, has great contempt for prece-
dents. This boss is a law unto him
self He incontinently kicks all prece-
dent-all the past of parliamentary
law and usage into the waste-basket
of contempt and forgetfulness. This
l~atter-day expression of populism-the
son of thunder-says with the emphasis
of senatorial adornment and conse-
quence-"Precedents are no good. Tenn
porary organization can do as it
pleases. This convention can make
~precedents. You can smash prece-
dents" So the ring-master cracks his
whip, and his trained ponies begin to
70 NOR on6 a,Jrl fhnir foi1C o~I
kick up a dust. No precedents for
them-no law or order or anything
good and wise.
Then that red-string disciple-Sotho.
the wailer-shot off his mouth in his
abuse of the party he deserted,
thus proclaiming his utter unfitness for
all democratic recognition, much less
fellowship and truckle-bed arrange
For fear that the hungry pops might
forget principles-that is fusion with
republicans and division of spoils-the
Georgia Chairman tried to hollow UP
the crowd by telegraphing that his
gang would not fuse" with democrats,
but go it on their own hook. This is
better hat 'honey-fuggling'' and
trading with black radicals and easy
going democrats. The Raleigh gang
beloved and rejoiced.
Pat Exum was there in all of his
original glory. Pat struck from the
shoulder when che bitterly denounced
the democrats and fusion with them"
Thanks, Pat. It was we'll done. Hit
'em again" There will hardly be any
democratic falling down this year at
the feet of Butler and Skinner, of
Sotho and Sambo.
The ghost of Nathaniel Macon stalk
in and protested against corrup-
ton in committee work.
Skinner was parenthetical and pa
thetic. "Tis conscience makes towards
of us ALL" He feels his guilt, but he is
ashamed to confess. 1t was with
throbs he spoke thus: 1--WE have
got to return to the democratic party
by the back door it seems. I am too
proud to "a I was wrong when I left
it and not ready to confess my mis-
take. PITY the sorrows of a poor old
man." Where was the mighty Dan
when this weeping scene was enacted?
He ought to a been " a locker on"
prepared with bandana and a fresh
'ingrn."
DR.. Freeman, aspiring for congress
sional hOnors by a sweet sell-Out and
6ioE0r nv 6nTon0rafS and n0n11liCfC
branded the opposers of fusion as not
true populists." We suppose he under
stands the situation and knows his
own folks. Fusion has been their
sign and watchword. as "spoils" have
been their Inspiration, joy and hope,
and when fusion" for spoils is oppos-
ed by the wire-pullers and teat-swing-
ers he rises to the height of the ar
gument" and on tiptoe declares they
forgot their Iesson and are no
longer faithful, true populists.. What
are we here for but for Officer" said
the Texan Flanagan. Cy. Thompson
and gifted, was modest and 81
lent. Cy ought Of right to be pulling in
democratic traces. He is too much OF
& man to be keeping company with
the Butler-Skinner crowd. What a
is on exhibition at Raleigh!
P. S.-The cat has jumped. Butler
is on top and is the big dog in the barn
yard. After an all night pow-wow,
doubtless exciting and wild. Butler
bags Skinner and is now flourishing
tomahawk, with sundry scalps dang
ling from his wampum. By a vote Of
CTS to 2S5, the populists voted for CO.
operation with any party or faction
favoring free silver-and it might be
truthfully added-promising grub for
the hungry and an open chance for the
feed-trough and the pie counter.
And that is the set some democrats
desire to form a co-partnership with.
With apologies to some author, we
say
ssDoro fo ha trua No marty needs a