Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-03-17
WHO WILL LEAD US?
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Mr.. Editorials the campaign is
now opening, the question arises:
who will lead the Republicans in this
State and in Mecklenburg county. 1
have watched the movement of affairs
and changes of certain men to keep
on the strong side. They would
condemn me for raising this question
and perhaps you will also, but with
ME it is very important. Ihave stood
up to the principles of the Republican
party for twenty years and have never
seen cause to change or regret my
position. A few years ago we heard
of the great Liberal movement, led
by DIR. Mott and a few Democrats.
1t led us to defeat and disgrace. Two
years ago the same parties allied them
selves with Democrats throughout the
OUdJe anu dDuSeu Lnc anu I'LL IlepuD-
licans who chose to stand by principle.
We put out State Judicial ticket,
and had these independent liberals"
let us alone we would have elected
our ticket beyond doubt. But
these same men, DIR. Mott and his follw-
ers throughout the State and especially
his followers in this county destroyed
the Republican ticket and would not
vote it themselves and tried to keep
all others from voting it, when it
was the only ticket in the field oppos-
ing the Democratic ticket 1t is
acknowledged by Democrats and all,
that if these men had allowed our
party to vote the ticket in certain
counties it would have carried.
These men sold us out four years
ago. Sold us out again two years
ago. To-day, they say, "peace, let
us harmonic and forget the past. !"
Their watchword is, "Let us kickers
have the reins and we will lead you
to victory" We ask, are these men
trustworthy? Were they wrong be-
fore or were we wrong? Do we not
stand on the same old Republican
platform, and have not these men here
acknowledged they were wrong and
come back TO us and the old land
mark =? Are they not liable to sell us
out again if an opportunity presents
itself? Should they not be treated as
new corners in the party, or should
they be given the first places of honor,
SO when the Republican party gets
in power they will get the best places
of profit.
The question with me is: Will the
people have these unreliable trick
sters lead the Republican party in
the coming campaign or will they
have the honest, solid men like
Hagler, Goode, Smith, Wellington,
Brady, Mcdonald, Drayton, Myers,
Barringer and hosts of others in the
county who have never bowed to
Baal, but stood atall times for straight
out men and honest principles?
/ would not discourage those
men who want to come back to our
party, but | do think it very cheeky
in them to take up our line of prin
ciple with the hope of getting control
of the party after forsaking it and
causing its defeat. They are not only
charged with it, but acknowledge it
by their words and actions. Thus |
ask the question. Mr.. Editor. "who
will lead us"
In the Republican county conven-
ton, | would urge harmony in the
first place. Then set aside all men
who have time and again deceived you.
Select to represent you in the State
and District conventions staunch
Republicans who have never gone
back on the party of freedom and
equal rights. Such men will honor
the party and command the respect
Of all men and will add much to our