The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-26
A Glance at Modern Political History.


the party in 1896 control of the National Conven
ton in 1900 and dictate the parys policy equally clear
that it their intention they fail to control the convention
to attempt to organize what they will call Jefferson Demo
cratic National party in order defeat the nominees of the
regular Democratic National Convention
The Belmont dinner incident would have significance
but for the fact that sound the first buge blast in the
contest that is Under the ophorfc plea of "Iar
mony the who conspired defeat Bryan and elect Nc
Kney have already begun their efforts repudae the living
principles of which the Democratic party is the exponent
There not true Democrat in America who does not long
for harmony party ranks but not of the six and
half million who voted for Bryan in 1896 will submit to that
harmony which ignores vital issues and seeks to conduct the
campaign upon meaningless PLATFORM platform capable
of two constructions Better defeat thousand times than
another victory like that in 1892.
For hundred years, in alternate victory and defeat the
Democratic party has been the salt in American politics In
1892, for the first time since the the Democratic party
possession of the executive and legislative branches of
government For quarter of century, in the humiliation of
successive defeats the band of Democrats had prayed for
opportunity government the ways of the fathers
and when Mr.. Cleveland nauguated the fourth OF
March, 1893 the old Democrats felt that they could say Let
thy depart peace They had confidence that the
robber tariff would be straghway repeaed the trusts prose-
cued to their DEATH barrier erected against encoacment
the rights of the States; the monetary policy patterned a
Jefersons letter. to Hamilton the unit must stand
both metals and the old fashioned policies of economy and
equality restored in government Instead of carrying the
pledges and policies of the party the administration ignored
tariff reduction until had done the bidding of the bankers
when had divided the party that Democratic tariff bill
could not pass; instead of prosecuting the trusts instructions
given district attorneys not to bring suits against
them; instead of giving equal treatment both metals
had been promised the administration stopped the coinage of
silver, thus reducing the circulation and more firmly
establishing the gold standard; instead of standing barrier
entertainments the rights of the States ruhlessly
down the constitutional rights and followed Grants policy
sending ulasked Federal troops sovereign State help
corporate greed in its struggle with abor and while enforcing
economy i'll branches it fell far short of the Samuel j.
Randall idea of Reenclnent which bazed out the way for
Tdens election in 1876 These first asonshed then
outraged and then stunned the great of Democrats who
with and Indignation their party made the agent
for CARRYING the policies which they had been fighting all
their lives
In 1896 crisis in the life of the party Under Mr.
Ceveand leadership the party had been defeated every
section of the Union and every who loved the party
the duty staring them in the face of repudang the
administration they had put standing by and
ing the Democratic party wrecked by letting become
the Republican party. In this crisis the devotion
party and to principle pronounced that those who he'd
betrayed the party driven from the party councils and
Headers who Lead put in their places. 1t
rabe The administration with its immense power the
New England Democracy, solid and a9Gcsslye New ork
and the New England States representing large and powerful
interests and all those who favor OF rule By the classes
united endorsement Of he Clevand admin
sraion and nominate candidates who would advocate the
policy that had almost wrecked the party Against them Stood
with few influential papers and many leaders of national
reputation the rank and file of the party who had been
seduced by office deceived by false teaching They
armed only with the sling and the pebbles of TRUTH but they
went forth the encounter with the calm confidence of the
lad e
brought back the party to its old moong They put the ban
the hands of able and honest who be-
levers in the right of the people govern themselves They
were when old party leaders boed the party They
had marked the path of right, and they into the
campaign with the spirit of Luther, "t is neither safe
right to 90 against conscience There take stand
do otherwise So help Cod The result known
all men. Over a million white voted for 3ry-
than for Mckinley and more votes cast for him than
previous Democratic candidate The analysis of the
election show that in spite of the intimidation and
pon Mr. Bryan would have been elected but for dishonest