The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-02

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Fellow Citizens:
The political history of North Carolina
for the past eight years is the most re-
markable story of unrest, revolution ana
change that the State has known. Men,
long accustomed to vote for the party OF
jefferson. moved by new impulse, nave
joined hands with their lifelong enemies
and overturned good and stable govern
ment in the hope that they would better
their condition.
The story of the Revolution of 1871
1898 is the story of how 10000 farmers
left all their old moOrings, turned their
backs upon old leaders, produced new
leaders in public affairs. and made
coalition with race unht Tor
government, and thereby replaced good
government by white men with scandal
ous government by whites and negroes.
Others will discuss the vital political is
sues of the day. / choose rather to take
YOU back over the stormy years since
1890. point out how step by step the
new policies have lowered the public
standards and brought the State into dis
repute.
| am of that number who believe most
of the men who joined in this political
revolution were honest. and that when
they stop to consider the present con-
ditions of the State-conditions they dld
not intend to bring about-they VIII
work as hard as any other men to drive
out of power those who have polluted
the civic temple. In this faith come to
speak to you to-day and ask your atten-
ton TO a plain and simple recital or
facts which are familiar to every citizen
of the State. The time has come for all
patriots to forget all differences and take
counsel one of another and TO seek out
the ancient landmarks and to Walk there
by.
Let us review our recent political his
tory and in spirit of seeking the truth
learn the lessons and the morals 1t
teaches.
THE ALLIANCE AND COL POLK.
Prior TO 1890, the Farmers Alliance,
under the leadership of the late Col. Il.
il. Polk, embraced almost l0O,0oO or the
agricultural population of the State.
Hard conditions. low prices OF agrlcui-
tural PRODUCTS high tariff taxes and the
crushing burdens that always follow III
the wake of the gold standard, mad
brought poverty, distress ana want III
manv homes. and denied to the wealtnler
farmers even a small return for their Ia
bor and investment The time was ripe
for the organization of the farmers who
desired to improve their condition. Inc
nrinted declarations of the Alliance, de-
claring that it was free from poillcal
or religious bias, made If an opportuhe
agency for uniting the farmers In an at
tempt to secure better Legislation. Coi.
Polk. with an eloquence that charmed
~. hnf
radical change in the policy of the ma
tional government. He always declared
that the State enjoyed an honest and
economical government and that no re-
lief could come to the farmers by aglta-
tion that might put the Republican party
IN mower in North Carolina. 1t was the
wicked financial legislation that demone-
tized silver and doubled the public debt
that he inveighed against with thrilling
mower. There is not man who heard
his famous declaration: John Sherman
did more to rob the Southern farmer
when he demonetized silver than Te-
cumseh Sherman in his destructive march
to the sea-" who does not recall his
bearing and his evident, spirit Of faith in
his utterance. This statement was so
true that it arrested public attention. 1t
is as true to-day as when Col. Polk ut
tered it. and, side by side with the Demo
cratic leaders, Col. Polk educated the
people until in the campaign of 1890 the
Democratic ticket swept the opposition
almost out of existence.
THE ALLIANCE, THE ENEMY OF
GOLDBUGS
This was what happened when the AL
lance was young and when it stood ag-
excessively for its demands Those de-
mands were in some respects imprac-
ticable. as for example, the sub-Treas-
nv: the policy adopted toward those
holding different opinions was often IN
tolerant: and there was too much INSIST
euce upon immaterial things. But, STAND
ing out strongly and above everything
else was the consuming zeal when III
ways chara cteriZeS crusade. men wen
10 extremes but they were terribly in
earnest Hard times and low prices %
crops and heavy burdens imposed bS
Congress were taking hope out OF then
lives They felt that if conditions Were
not changed their children would be de
MED fair chance in life. Animated by
desire to better their own condition
and make a better path for their sons
than Republican legislation had made
for them, these 10000. men We're ready
TO welcome any change that promised
better times. In their intense earnest
ness they put the Alliance above party
and often above their church. 1t be
came to the Republicans and to the. gol(
men of every faith more terrible thar
an army with banners"
EVEN VANCE WAS INSTRUCTED
The campaign of 1890 was n~notablt
one. There was no presidential election
C0nOrnGSmnn
States Senator were to be elected. The
Alliancemen in the Democratic party
asked their party associates to nominate
none but silver men for Congress, ant
to have candidates for the Legislature