The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-07-20
DE1EOCRATIC CONVENTION
Twelftl judicial District.
Harmonious-Enthusiastic
Unanimous.

4Ztn JUDICIAL O11If1cE met AT CnafleSLOl
the attractive capital of Swain county
The various delegations from the severa
counties east reached the place Fri
day, and those from the west early Getiir
day morning. Every county was repres
ented by good delegation of true Dem
Ocrats, save Clay, which was representa-
by pfoxv =
AtlI O'Clock Saturday the cohventio1
was called to order by Mr.. G.. A. Shn
ford, chairman of the District Executiv,
COMMITTEES. He congratulated III con
vention upon the large delegations pres
emit. and the evident good feeling which
prevailed.
Hon. j. w. Cooper Of Cherokee wa
made chairman. Mr.. Cooper accepted
the honor in a very graceful speech, on,
full Of sound democratic doctrine anc
encouragement.
Robt. M. Furman of the Asheyille
CITIZEN, c. w. Malone of the Asheville
Aduance, Genl E. r. Hampton of the
Sylvia Journal and Mr.. ]. A. sForsythe o.
Transylyania were made secretaries.
The chairman announced that the
convention was ready to proceed with
business, and nominations for Judge
were in order.
Hon. NJ. E. Carter of Buncombe then
arose and placed in nomination Hon
James H. Merrimon of Buncombe.
Mr.. Carter said:
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen of the Con.
vention:-
The pleasant task has been assigned
me of putting in nomination for the posi-
ton Of Judge of this District, the name
Of a gentleman well known to you all
the Hon. James FL. Merrimon of Bun.
combe. I shall not detain you with
words of commendation of the gentle:
man named. As q lawyer, his reputation
is not confined to his own section; he is
known throughout the land as one of the
very brightest and ablest lawyers in the
whole State. Patient in his bearing,
industrious in his habits, honest and
sincere, but courageous, in his convic-
tions, he combines as many of the quail
tiles that should belong to the judicial
Office as any man in North Carolina. If
he should be nominated and elected, we
shall have on the bench, Judge OF
whom all our people will be proud.
urges Mr. Merrimon,s nonain-
alton because of his fitness for the place
because she wants to elevate man
who at all times and under all circum-
stances has been one of her truest and
most loyal sons. He is not endorsed out
of any feeling of hostility to his honor.
able opponent, Judge Gudger. On the
contrary, Buncombe is proud of Judge
Gudger and the splendid record he has
made. Should his just aspirations be
disappointed, and he should retire from
the Bench, he will carry with him the
highest respect of the people of Bun
combe. They will always regard him,
not as one whose public career has been
ended, but as one for whom still higher
honofs are held in reserve.
But, gentlemen, promised not to de-
tain you. will only add, that should
Mr.. Merrimon be the choice of this con-
vention and be elected by tie people, as
he will be if nominated, his administers
ton of the high Office, to which we call
him will not only vindicate the wisdom
Of our action to-day, but will prove hon
orable to himself and the State.
Hon. w. T. Crawford of Haywood
arose ana said:
Mr. Chairman -
We have assembled to select man to
preside over the rights, the liberties and
lives Of the people of North Carolina.
There is NO more important Office within
The gift Of the people than that of Super
ior Court Judge. The people demand a
man OF learning, experience, integrity Of
character and high order of legal attain
ment to fill this position. The Judge
who holds the scales of justice and gives
10 every man that which is due him is
no less the product Of experience than is
the mechanic, the botanist or chemist.
have the nonor OF presenting TO this
convention the name of a. gentleman
District of a wide range of judicial ex..
perience, of business affairs, and thor
0ugh acquaintance with men, a man who
has become siivered with the frosts of
winters in the service of the people, and
g not only known and appreciated by
The citizens of this district, but for the
noble qualities of his mind and heart has
unqualified recognition and
,ommendation from the people of the
whole State.
like pail over the South, threatening
the destruction Of her institutions and
rights Of the people, he
with many other gallant sons of the Old
North State took up arms in defense of
their homes, their liberties and their
honor. and marched to the front and
stood in the thiekest ofthe fight from Bull
Run to Appomattox. And when that
battered banner was furied and the war
cloud was lifted from the horizon
leaving barren 6eldsand desolated homes
TO the dispirited soldiers Of the South, he
with zealous devotion to the principles
OF democracy and q consecrat0d love for
those who had suffered with him gay e
his energis and talents to the building
up OF waste places and to the material
advancement Of the State. Every fibre
Of his nature Is in harmony with the
common veal; the law has no stronger
advocate, the people no better friend.
stern and unbiased, faithful and Just, a
man who can temper justice with mercy
or impose the last, extreme penalty Of
the law. :,
Having gained recognition for ability
at the bar he was by the spontaneous
will OF the people elevated to the benc b,
WheIe be has efficiently served for eight
years without having the escutcheon of
hleJudlelal ermine soiled. ! SAY Without
encouragement to the Claims of any gem
tleman the unsolicited voice Ofthe peo-
pie from the seaboard and echoed by
the mountains y saying make him his
own successor. Why2 Because of his
high sense Of right, his sense of justice,
his sense Of honor, and his manhood.