The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-11-15
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
HIS DEFEAT A SERIOUS BLOW
TO THE SOUTH.
The Foremost President Since Thomas
Jefferson, His Retirement at this
Time is National Calamity TO the
Country.
Raleigh State Chronicle. !


fhey love an honest man, and God knows
he Is an honest man they love man OF
good sound Judgment, and do not know
any man of suHnder judgment than his;
they love a man who stands up Tor the pco-
nj: who stands I'D for principle and does
not fear To take the consequence, and such
a man is Grover Cleveland. -1Lteh u.
Thurman in It speech NJ C0tunlbuS, OhtO.
Mr.. Cleveland is defeated.
The greatest man who has been
President of this great country since
Thomas Jefferson, has been retired to
private life by the majority Of The cleo
torial college and probably, also, by a
popular majority.
His defeat is nothing less than a
great National calamity, and it has
been heard throughout the Union with
genuine sorrow. He has been the
President Of the whole Union and
sought to cement and draw together
in sympathy and purpose the people
of all sections Of the Republic. He
has impressed upon us all by his cx-
ample that there ought not to be any
North or South. East or West, but that
all Americans ought to stand as breth
rem. His defeat evidences the fact that
the people of the North are not ready
10 accept this broad creed and that
they will not have a common brother
hood. 1t rc-opcns the Southern ques-
ton, which had been SO happily ad-
iusted by Mr.. CIeveland's great patri-
otlsm and wisdom. The rc-ODening
of this question affects not the South
alone-it is menace to the Republic.
Therefore every patriotic man, whether
he lives in Mississippi or Massachusetts,
will regret that we are to have a re-
opening of this question, which has
caused such great disagreement and
SO much trouble in times past,
But If the defeat Of Mr. Cleveland
is a National calamity to be deplored
in every State in the Union, what
shall we say Of it to the South ? 1t is
a crushing blow to our people-one
that had not been expected, and for
which they are not prepared. 1t car
rieS with it humiliation that is felt
by every true Southern man. 1t was
brought about partially, because OF
Mr., Cleveland's fairness and justice to
the South. He was arraigned by the
Forakers and Oglesbys, and the host OF
bloody shirt wavers with being in sym
pathy with the Southern men. For
this many of the South hating North
ern voters cast their ballots against
him, The South is keenly sensible Ct
the full meaning of this, and is thus
notified what to expect from Mr..
Cleveland's successful opponent.
Under Mr.. CleVeland's administra-
ton, the South had prospered as never
before since the war. New confidence
had been inspired in our material prog
resS, The fear of race conflict had
passed away. y feeling of security
and peace pervaded our section. I'M
migrants drawn hither by our good
local government and fine climate,
and cheap lands were coming to find
homes here. The Federal offices were
filled with patriotic and representative
Southern men-in the main, men who,
in an election, would have been chosen
by the voters as officers. The future
looked bright enough. The South was
hopeful and pushing forward in all
lines OF growth and progress. All this
was born of confidence that nothing
would be done to interfere with ouI
present status. The reelection of Mr.
Cleveland would have increased that
confidence, and the South would have
made wonderful strides during his sec
ond term. That wls-that iS-the
feeling of true Southern men as to the
future OF our section.
How Is II now
1t IS too early to predict what will
be the result OF Mr.. Cleveland 5 defeat
1t Is certain that it will at least for /
time, greatly depress many of our PEG
pie. 1t is certain that will continue
the burdens of taxation which keel
our people poor, and postpone, per
haps, Tor many years, the day of oul
release from enslavement TO ..protecteG
interests. There is no doubt that i
means the exclusion of Southern mcr
from positions OF honor and trust. NC
Southern man need expect hereafter K
be appointed 10 seat on the Suprem,
Court bench, or in the Cabinet, or t
other honorable positions III the gov
crnmeRt. One reason Mr.. CLEVELAND
was defeated was because he was JUS
10 the South. But our "undoinE' vii
not stop with this. All our men VIII,
hold Offices in the State, and small OF
fees IL Washington, will be turnet
out and their positions will be giyei
10 men who are not true Southern
men and who in many cases are III
competent. But ii the humiliation
stopped there, We could stand it. W
had TO bear negro officials and unaC
Ceptable white ones before, and th
power of human endurance is said L
be equal to the power Of infection
But can the people Of the South stand
or submit to Federal Inspection, ant
Federal interference Of their local al
fairs The Northern Republicans hav
avowed It 10 be their purpose 10 hav
legislation that Will give Congress fuI
power in the regulation Of elections il
the South. The Northern Radical
are sore because, having given the bal
lct 70 the negro 10 hUmilidte Souther