The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-04
Opposed to Nomination Of Atwater.

To the Editor:-It is a matter of some
surprise to the writer and many Demo-
Gratis that Mr.. Atwater has any support
among Democrats in the Congressional
Convention to be held on the 9Th. We
cheerfully pay tribute to his high char
acter and gratefully acknowledge the
faithful services he rendered our party
by cooperating with us in Congress and
in our State campaign, but he is, accord
ing to his own declarations, made in this
county in both public speeches and pri
vate conversations, Populist. He de-
clared in several public speeches that
the Democratic party had left the Popu
lists but had now returned to the same
faith which the Populists have always
held Now, waving all the argument
which this and like assertions raised
such declarations reused feelings of de-
cided resentment in the minds of many
true Democrats who were willing to
forget the past and be entirely friendly
with the Populists who joined us in the
campaigns of 1898 and 1900, regardless
of whether their motives were from a
desire to further the interests of the
Populst party by eliminating the negro
or from a desire to return to the time
honored principles of the Democratic
party.
In view of the alarming degree of ap-
athy which already exists among the
rank and file of Democracy in regard to
the national election, it seems to the
writer that to create dissention in our
ranks by nominating Populst when
there is a general feeling that this is
of all times time when Simon-pure
Democrats should fill the offices would
be very unwise. Now this apathy in re-
gard to national affairs is but the natu-
raj result of the reaction following the
Tremendous campaign just made in which
our people were stirred to the profround
est depths. 1t is a matter of history
that such reactions follow such cam
paigns; and then there is always wide
ly prevailing sentiment that our national
elections are not of so great moment
to us anyway. Surely it will be unwise
to increase this apathy by doing any
thing to dissatisfy our voters. l fear
that the nomination of any one except
a straight Democrat in this district will
jeopardise Mr.. Bryans interests. This
fear is based upon the expressions made
by numbers of the rank and file of the
Democracy who go so far as to say that,
while they voted for a Populist in 1898
VI
expediency for our party, they will not
go to the polls, if any one but a Demo-
crat who has been unwavering in his
allegiance to the party, shall be nomi-
mated
Then if the precedents established by
our party in the conventions assembled
this year are to be regarded it will
be exceedingly unwise to nominate any
one but a straight Democrat The ma
tional convention met in Kansas City,
and although in the assembled judgment
of our delegates the nomination of Towne
for Vice President would have brought
to the support of our ticket the entire
Populist strength, nevertheless, the con-
vention hardly regarded his candidacy
seriously but chose a straight Demo-
crat.
Our State convention met in Raleigh
and the name of Mr.. Mebane was pre-
sented. Mr.. Mebane was earlier to de-
clare for the amendment than was Mr..
Atwater, and he declared in addition to
this that he would not accept a nomina-
tion except from the Democratic conven-
ton He had made such an efficient and
able superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton that many Democrats urged his re-
under the wise leadership of our best
politicians defeated him and went fur
Their and defeated Mr. Holt because he
had supported Mr. Mebane. This con-
vention demanded and chose a straight
Democrat.
Now unless we disregard the prece-
dents so established. Unless we are con-
WINGED that these conventions made mis-
takes in choosing straight Democrats
then it follows an irresistible conclusion
Democrat for Congress.
Assuredly among the Simon-pure Dem
ocrats yet in the field-men who have
served their party with alacrity and de-
cided ability in every campaign without
reward-we can select a man who wa
reflect credit upon our disHt1-e by a dis
tinguished and able career in Congress-
WIN. H. RUFFIN.
Louisburg, N. c., Sept. 8.