The North Carolina Election of 1898

Here's a good source of info that RT Miller linked in his comment to Steve's last post, 'Democrats and Racism.' Enjoy.

The modern Democratic Party in North Carolina arose out of opposition to so-called "radical" reconstruction efforts led by the Republican-controlled federal government in the 1860s and 1870s. The Conservative Party, a coalition of former Democrats and Whigs who opposed federal intervention in state affairs, won control of the General Assembly in 1870 and began to reverse some of the laws and policies established by the Reconstruction-era Republicans. In 1876 the Conservatives changed their name to Democrats and popular Civil War governor Zebulon Vance was returned to the state's highest office. In the eyes of many white North Carolinians, the state had been "redeemed."
Under the encouragement of the Democrats, whose policies aided business interests, the state began a rapid process of industrialization. Textile mills were built throughout the Piedmont, and the state's tobacco and furniture industries grew quickly...

Try re-reading Bartlett's piece and insert 'liberal' in place of each 'Republican' and 'conservative' in place of each 'Democrat'. It may make better sense that way while maintaining its accuracy. Plus it's a hoot.

I think we can all agree around here that names of political parties are just that — names. It's the policies and philosophies behind those parties that define them in any moment of history. It's clear that 'Democrats' of 1898 were much closer in philosophy to modern-day 'conservatives' than to those modern-day Democrats that Steve named in his previous post.