News Observer Chronicle

GOOD WORDS BETTER THAN QUORUM.

We have always felt a keen interest that the public affairs of our State should be under the management of those citizens who are best fitted to administer them. When our old government was overthrown in 1867, we joined with others who proposed to devote themselves to the work of restoring and maintaining good government among our people, and having taken hold of the plough handles we have never let them go. At first the organization was the Conservative party; then the Democratic Conservative; then the Conservative Democratic: and finally simply the Democratic party in North Carolina.

Under its various names the organization has sought the same object—to secure to the State the blessings of peaceful firesides, good will among neighbors, contentment, progress and prosperity, and hope in the hearts and minds of the people. These purposes have been reasonably accomplished. Our home government has certainly been a good one.

The most important political contest was in 1870, when we gained the legislature. In 1876 we gained the executive, and two years later the judicial department. In 1880 the supremacy of the Democratic party was seriously threatened. There was cause for the greatest anxiety. Old and wise leaders thought that the party could maintain itself only by making concessions to its opponents and sacrificing the county government system it had instituted. Timid counsels however were met with firm resolution, and courage carried us safely through the difficulty.

Some four years ago the party again became threatened; not however because of the management of home affairs, but because of national matters. The work of disintegration then begun continued until the party fell into the minority in the State. Such was the situation at the election in 1892 But resolution, boldness, courage, again gave us the victory.

Now we are approaching the time when another campaign is to be fought and won. It must be won. The difficulties are very great, but they must be overcome. And the object of this article is to appeal to Democrats all over the State, in the editorial sanctums, on the streets, on the farms, in the workshops everywhere—not to increase these difficulties. but rather to lessen them as far as possible. So much depends upon success.

If we fail, if an opposition legislature is elected. the system of State government which the Democrats have been building up for a quarter of a century is placed at the mercy of those who have antagonized it. We might expect changes in the tenant law, changes in the election law, changes in the tax law, changes in county government, changes in the court system. in the administration of the penitentiary. in the administration of the asylums, and charities: in the school law and educational institutions, etc. etc, and indeed a sweeping revolution may be expected in every branch of public affairs.

The situation then demands the exercise of that cardinal virtue. prudence, to the last degree. Are our people prudent? Are we not imprudent? We lately saw in one of our leading papers, which has a wide influence, especially among the editorial fraternity, an article characterizing the Democratic administration at Washington as a "faithless administration." Are not the conditions such that we had better let the enemy do the throwing of such stones—otherwise. are we not in danger of becoming mixed up with the enemy?

Are we putting the conduct of affairs at Washington in their best light? or even a just light before the public? The Democrats in power at Washington are there through our support. The circumstances surrounding them are novel and difficult, and we should be as generous and as kind to them as possible; at any rate, just. For the first time in thirty odd years they now have full power committed to them, and even now the majority in the Senate is so slender that the slightest defection leaves them in a minority.

The Democrats of this State generally differed with Mr. Cleveland before his nomination; because of those differences they did desire his nomination; and they have differed with him in regard to acts of his administration. They do not approve of his administration in some aspects. But good Heavens! did we not prefer him as a candidate to Harrison or to any Republican; or to Weaver or to any Third party man? And do we not prefer his administration to any that Harrison or Weaver could have given us? We knew the lines of difference between him and ourselves at the time of his nomination and election. Let us not magnify them now

As we have said on former occasions, it is altogether too soon to be mapping out any plan of campaign. No one can say at present what will be the issues on the stump. We can, however, say what will not be the issues: The Federal election law will not be an issue, for the Democrats have repealed that. The tariff will not be an issue, for the Democrats will have given the country a low tariff in place of the McKinley enormity The income tax will not be an issue, for the Democrats will have passed that.

The issues on the stump will be concerning such matters as are in the minds of the people at the time.

But now before the Democratic Congress has had reasonable time to complete its action, while our friends are busy passing the measures they have been maturing, while they can point with pride to a vast deal of beneficial work already well done, and are still engaged in perfecting other needed legislation, we see Democrats, good men, men of influence, men who largely give direction to public thought, impaling our friends. and rending them to pieces.

This is not only cruel to them, but unjust to ourselves. It is not strategy, it is not war It is an act of self immolation. It is fearful self sacrifice. It is Sampson tearing down the temple, even without his justification We do not, like him, destroy our enemies in the catastrophe.

Let us leave to the enemy the casting of stones. The administration is not faithless any more than it is faultless. The Democrats at Washington mean to do right. And whether we approve of the action of our friends in any particular instance or not, we should give them credit for patriotism, even though their judgment be erroneous: and we should not turn loose upon them the thunders of our denunciation.

As for Mr. Cleveland. we have differed with him; and still do. But let us not make too much of our differences. Let us rather seek to compose them, and preach unity. and harmony within the ranks of Democracy. Let us pass around the watchword, I am a Democrat; and close up the ranks on that line.