The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-19
DEMOCRATS CHARGED WITH
STEALING POPULIST Ma
TIONAL AND STATE
PLATFORMS.
PROOF THAT POPS MUST FIGHT RAIDS
The Democrats and Populist Platforms are
Alike on the Paramount:'ssue and if they
do not Vote Against RadicaIism they
Invite Godbug Rule.

Hallelujah Air is the reputed author
of the Populist Campaign Hand Book,
which has made its appearance rcd
hot from the press. No doubt its au-
thor thinks it is hummer. And it is,
i'm sense The book is entitled rs the
Democrat Party HoncSt?' 1t contains
only "A pages and may be thus summar-
lied:
1872, the Democratic and Republican
Parties, controlled by the same influences
TRUSTS and the money powerl-have
alternated in control of the government,
and together robbed the people. In or
der to bolster up TINS palpahly absurd
theory Tilden is put down as elected in
1872, but the explanation is made that
"a most probable reason for his not
being seated is that the same forces
which procured his nomination and cleo
ton discovered that he would not be as
pliable as they might desire that he
should he, and then conspired to undo
the very work they had DONE" There
roe's Dime Novels. 1t is asserted that
political pendulum swing was kept up
until the organization of the People S
Party. July 4th. 1892. This is said to
have exposed and condemned" the
pendulum swing"
=. The Democratic party is accused of
having in 1896. stolen the Populist plat
form adopted at Omaha, in 1892, and the
two platforms printed side by side show
that there are many planks in them that
are very similar. They are, as
to the essential principles upon
which the campaign of 1896
was waged. virtually the same.
What can the Populsts object to. if they
are right in saying that the Democrats
stole their platform? They ought to be
thankful, glad and proud. instead of OBJ
jecting to it. And in 1896, so close to
gether did the real Democrats and real
POpuiSts come in accord that they voted
the same electoral ticket in all the west
ern and many of the other States Both
parties did this without any sacrifice OF
principle. and the men who believed in
financial reform gladly voted together
for the truest living exponent of the prin-
ciples enunciated in both platforms.
g. The Democrats are charged with
not recognizing the Populists after steal
ing their platform, and denounced for
not passing free coinage bills when they
were in control of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
4. The history. from the Populist
standpoint of suggested fusion in 1896
and in 1898, are given, including the
IrSf,, Il
are criticized for not accepting them
>. The State Democratic Convention
which met in Raleigh, May 26th. is ac-
cused of stealing the Populist platform
adopted May 18th. 1898. and the plat
forms are printed in parallel columns.
8. The Democrats are denounced for
not accepting the proffered help to carry
out the principles they ''stolc" from the
Peoples party.
Z. After some reflections and ques-
tons upon the foregoing. the last part
of the book is devoted to the charge that
railroad lawyers dominated the Conven-
toin, and list of the various committees
of the convention showing that many
lawyers were prominent in the deibera-
tons of the conventions in 1896, and
again in 1898. 1t is centended that be-
cause lawyers We're prominent in speak
ing and on committees, therefore. the
Democratic party is dishonest, and
ought not to be trusted with power.
In brief this is the book. It's wide
circulation will do the Democratic party
good i'm North Carolina for the following
reasons:
]. 1t is proof that upon the para
mount issues before the American peO-
pie the declaration in the Democrat tic
and Populist platforms are agreed.
2. That the Republican party is the
common enemy of both.
3. That when Grover Cleveland be
trayed the Democratic party, the party
had the courage to repudiate him and h,,l
teachings.
4. That, while it was not possible to
effect cooperation between the two par
ties in North Carolina. the interests of
both parties, if both are honest. lie in
eternally fighting the gold standard
party, and that any coalition between
the Democrats and Republicans. or the
Populist and Republicans would be
contrary to the principles of the party
and amount to "A reputation Of those
principles.
Populist will read this campaign hand
book. he will probably come to this con
clusion: Il wish the Democrats and
Populists had arranged common ticket
for me to vote. but as they did not,
will vote for the white man and the
white metal If my party goes it alone
and has any chance of winning, | vii
vote it. If not, | will vote the whitest
ticket | can find. / will never vote fol
a Republican or any man who consents
to run ON a ticket with Republican
because that would be TO vote to put
gold bugs in office. and thus continue The
very rule that is impoverishing me ant
the country"
1t wouldn't be a bad idea for the
Democrats to circulate 100000 copies
of the book.