The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-17
JEFFERSON BANQUET AND ITS BEARING
ON THE NORTH CAROLINA SITUATION.

Correspondence. I'll have been so in
terested in the Cuban debate in Congress
that i have not had time to write of
the great gathering Of Democrats pres
ent at the jefferson dinner or of the
all-pervading sentiment of that assem-
blage of Democratic leaders. 1T is too
late now to write of The banquet proper.
1t is fit, however, to write of the spirit
that pervaded it, Three things Impress
ed me most:
l. There was not man present who
is not sangu;ne of success in 1900 under
the leadership of Bryan. The recent
great gains in all elections in every sec
ton have made it clear that the peo-
pie are turning to the Democratic party
as the hope of the future.
>. 1t is as certain that the Chicago
platform will be the chart of the party
in 1900 as it was in 1896 The princi-
pies of that platform have received
daily vindicat:on and have made con-
yerts in every section. The Eastern
Democrats who lodged or ran in 1896
are now coming back to the party with
the understanding that they will have
to bow to the will of the majority. In
stead of IL bare two thirds majority as
in the 1896 convention, the Chicago plat
form will be re-adopted in 1900 without
the dissenting vote of five States.
3. The harmonious cooperation of ali
parties favorable to silver is assured
TIE addresses of Chairmen Jones, But
Ter and Towne. urging Democrats, Pop
ulists and Silver Republicans TO coop
crate this year to elect silver Congress
preparatory to the great struggle of
1900, have been accepted as the basis
of acton in all the Northwestern and
Western States where such co-opera-
ton is necessary 10 win n silver vic
tory. Yesterday the Democratic Con-
gressional Executive Comlnitip2 for
mally endorsed the address of Chair
man Jones for cooperation, thus max
ing it the official party policy in The APP
preaching campaign as it was in 1896.
and as it is certain to be III 1900. One
other thing that impressed me was the
interest felt IN the North Carolina sit
uation by party leaders in all sections
of the Union. They feel that for
State that voted for Bryan to elect a
Republican Senator and send three or
four Republicans to Congress is an in
congruous thing, and that the silver ele
ment, IN so large a majority, ought to
send nine silver men to Congress at
the next session. Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
Jones, and Mr.. White who believe
the fall election will have an important
bearing upon the result of 1900, hope
that all the men who voted the Bryan
electoral ticket in 1896 will find a com
mon ground upon which they can stand
this year. They tell me that there are
two reasons why it is important, aside
from carrying out the general policy or
cooperation. i. In some States iii
the Northwest. where the Democrats
have not as many votes us the Popu-
lists, co-operat ton has been effected. In
North Carolina, where the Democrats
have much larger number of votes, if
the Democrats are unwilling to coop
crate, If offered by the Populists on
fair and honorable terms, it would re-
tard such cooperation I'm the North
west, and injure the general plan of
the national campaign. ,. The second
reason is that it is important for all
advocates Of silver to come into harmo-
NOUS relations in order that they may
be ready TO fight the Republicans and
their allies. They think that every
failure TO cooperate. is taken advantage
of by the Republicans and the cause
thereby injured everywhere.
| had talk This morning with Sen