The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-27
SOME FINAL REFLECTIONS FOR
TODAY

The state democratic convention as
sembles at Raleigh this day. 1t is a
momentous time for North Carolina
and most important day for the future
standing, influence and success of the
democratic party. If honor sits at the
helm, and a brave heart and a strong
hand direct the ship all M be we'll,
and it will enter the port of victory
with streaming banners and music in
the centre. Will wisdom apd principle,
honor and duty control, or will the 40
bile old party that has through IN last
thirty years stood as "a breakwater
against the flood of corruption and
wrong doing in North Carolina, be
rushed upon populist sandbars or swal-
lowed in the maelstrom of general cor
rupticn and go down "unwept, unhon-
ored md unsung?"
1t is now reported that the late pop
poW-wow and wind-bag performance
did not a first reported decide for trade
with THE superserviceable democrats. 1t
is asserted that the resolutions actually
adopted were not for bargain and sale,
but antagonized fusion with the demo-
Gratis and 10y a large majority. We do
not know how that was, but if true,
hen the democracy are really placed in
a worse attitude than was supposed.
The 'trading wing is found taking their
offerings to the shrine of barter, with
Butler as high priest and Skinner as
chief 'bottle-holder, and no reception is
accorded and no incenre of solicitation
or acquiescence offered by the presid-
ing officials of the %populist temple. 1T
is simply a case of anxious seeking on
the part of trading democrats with no
great encouragement of success. The
pop charmers feel strong in their i'm
potency and simply because they pre-
fer an alliance with the old black rad
ical gang whose political principles are
not their principles. but whose hunger
for the pie counter is1as deep and wide
and Unsuitable as their own. They
know that if they return to the arms
of the black radical concern that their
coming will he hailed with loud re-
joicings and THE embrace of the dick
ers will be such as palpitating bosoms
and severe appetbtes cal render.
There was no fusion offered to demo-
luticn was not tainted even with
trade beyond a general cooperation
of silver men and railroad wrecker:.
The Raleigh Post throws light on what
occurred as to the resolution that was
finally adopted after much excitement:
THE sentiment of the convention, as
the Post has heretofore said, and as
every Intelligent man in the state
knows, was overwhelmingly against
fusion with the democratic party. Sem
ator Butler recognized the fact before
he convention met, and was kept pain
fully aware Of it until the asst There
was furious opposition to the resolu-
tons upon the ground that they were
intended to pave the way for fusion, /
and it required all Of Buffers perSua-
sive eloquence Ito keep the convention
from voting them down. Repeated as
Surances were required from him n
Aver to the effect that fusion with the
democrats was h Thought fartheSt
from their minds; but eve that would
not satisfy the dominant anti-fusfon
faction. Some Of the opposition went 80
far as TO declare NTat lney WOufO not
for amy resolution that dors
the fusion address of National Chair
man Jones Of the democratic party"
Can THE democrats win without b
Butler-Skinner crowd? That is no
question for honest, above-board dem
ocrats. That sort of unprincipled
thinking does not enter into the sftu-
alton. It is not a question OF trade in
the least. The idea Of prostituting the
noble old party Of high and honorable