The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-08-23
DEMOCRATIC REFORM.

Democracy's triumph IN North Caro-
1ina is signal and complete. They fully
succeeded in DISTINGUISHING the negroes
as also many poor white people. Had
that state simply have made an educa-
tional qualification for suffrage this had
not been Objectionable ordinarily. But
their aim was not this. They knew
that the opposition to the rule of the
Democratic party was growing stronger
every year. In 1894 a legislature was
elected that chose Marion Butler and
Mr.. Prichard for senators. They had
not since been able to control the state.
The poll-book was consulted and suff-
rage was SO gerrymandered as to dis
franchise enough Of that opposition to
control the state. Far different had
been the conduct of the Populists when
they were in control. No effort was
made to wrongfully deprive men Of
their rights. We tried to do right to all
men. Compare this with the conduct of
the Democrats. We had the power,
Had we been disposed to listen ven
geance would have pleaded that we seek
to tortify ourselves, for Democracy had
INDUCED themselves in great wrongs
to us. Yet, like honorable men, we act
ed the part OF true Americans. Less
honorable than this is the action Of
Democracy. They had no cause calling
them to revenge themselves upon us
save that we had won a victory over
them. This was the sum of our sim
ming. To again obtain ascendancv
frauds that are beyond all description
or belief were resorted to. We had
thought the depth of their villainy had
been reached in years gone by, but all
their records for villainy pales into in
significance before that of the late cleo
ton. Our speakers were mObbed and
driven from the field; our literature was
stolen and burned; our people were CIV
en- to understand in many places and
on frequent occasions that their lives
were in danger If they dared act with us
as free American citizens are expected
to do. Even Senator Butler was warned
to not enter certain counties, and was
forcibiy driven from others. This was
done by Democrats, modern" Demo-
Bryan" Democrats, the Democrats who
boast of their reformation and who de-
clared in the Kansas City platform their
unalterable opposition to Imperialism.
There never was such imperialism prac-
ticed as these have shown us. There is
a measure of retribution in the fact that
Marion Butler is one Of the chief suf-
ferers from the vile hand Of the same
party he sought to force us into, and
Harry Tracy, of Texas, was driven out
by mob of Democrats, after all his late
trucking to them; yet we must not for
get that the rights of all our brethren
were totally disregarded. While But
Ter suffered, so did Harry Skinner.
While Harry Tracy was vilely treated,
90 was Zach Garrett, and through all of
it Bryan neither lifted a pen or spoke
word against it. He is the recipient
of their stolen goods. Their vileness
was done to honor him. In fact, by
his course in the Goebel law trouble in
Kentucky he gave encouragement to the
viler abuses of North Carolina. By his
silent sanction of this indescribable on
slaught upon the freedom Of American
citizens Mr.. Bryan has again conclu-
siSely shown to the world that he is no
better than the company he keeps.