The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-10-04
PUBLIC SPEAKING.
FowIe and Davidson in Henderso

u. Fowle, Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor, and Hon. T;ieo. F. Davidson. Dem
ocratic candidate for Attorney General.
spoke Ia Henderson last Saturday. The
simple announcer ent that Fowle would be
here was sufficient to attract the largest
crowd we have seen in Henderson in long
time. The distinguished gentlemen were
met at the depot by deputation of promi-
; ncnt citizens. headed by Gloss Cornet
Band, and were escorted to the Central
Hotel. Col. Burgwyn, Chairman of the
Democratic County Executive Committee,
welcomed the gentlemen and announced
that the speaking would take place in Bur
well Hall at o'clock. Long before that
hour arrived our spacious opera house was
we'll nigh filled with an eager crowd anx-
ious to hear the next Governor of North
Carolina speak on the public issues of the
day. At the appointed hour the band
played stirring air and the distinguished
gentlemen made their appearance in the
Hall. This was the signal for shouts and
applause. After the crowd had become
seated, there being perhaps one thousand
persons in the building, among the number
many colored prople who occupied the gal
Ieries. Col. Burgwyn in his usual graceful
and felicitous style introduced Judge
Fowle. He said that no introduction was
needed; the distinguished gentleman who
was present to speak to and to shake hands
with the people of Vance was too we'll
known for that. but as matter of courtesy
and following out an established custom,
he took pleasure in saying the Hon. Daniel
q. Fowle was with US and would address
the citizens Of Vance county.
| Amidst loud and prolonged applause
Judge Fowle arose and stood before a sea
of upturned faces. He was in good trim,
| save that he was suffering some what from
the effects of sprained ankle received
by misstep from the cars recently,
| and the annoyance of a slight cold, but
| with these exceptions he did not appear to
be in the least faded by his labors during
the canvass. We shall not attempt to fol-
low Judge Fowle throughout his admira-
BILE speech. We cannot report him in full,
and will not do him the injustice of giving
synopsis. He spoke an hour and half
and the effort was eminently worthy of the
man, the occasion and the cause. He dis
eussed both State and National affairs and
left no stone unturned, no question unre-
piled to and no argument unanswered.
The audience was enthusiastic and the
speaker surpassed himself-al most His
defense of Democracy was as foIcible as
it was eloquent. At times his hearers were
moved to the widest enthusiasm. Judge
Fowle's exposition of the tariff was plain,
simple and strong his reasoning was good,
his logic sound, his illustrations apt aid
forcible but it was when he touched upon
the subject of county government, as he
was about to close, that he reached the
highest point in his speech. If he had
been strong, eloquent and argumentive be-
fore, he was more than this then he was
pathetic, sublime, masterful. The picture
he here drew of what the consequences
might be-what they have been--under
corrupt Republican rule, and what is worse,
Ignorant negro misrule, was enough to
make men think, and men who heard him
did think. We have never heard more
eloquent, manly and patriotic appeal in
behalf of any cause than Judge Fow lie made
for the white women and children of the
Eastern OF "negro counties of the State.
His portrayal of the high handed conduct
of the Republicans Of North Carolina, and
his references to the outrageous treatment
innocent men had been subjected to by
leaders of that party, was enough to make
strong men weep. 1t was most magniti-
cent and effective effort and will be fruit
full of good. The repeal of the county gov
eminent he said meant negro county com
missioners, negro justices of the peace,
negro school committeeman, and negro SUI
perintendents of public schools. Are we
prepared for this? A vote for any other
than the Democratic ticket, or not to vote
at all, might help to bring about this very
condition of things. We mu st secure the
Legislature. We cannot afford to take any
risks here. Too much is at stake. But if
every person into whose hands this issue of
the GOLD LEAF shall fall could have heard
Judge FOwle's speech Saturday they could
then appreciate the matchless manner in
which he presented this portion of his
superb address. He was loudly applauded
at intervals throughout his speech If
Fowle was popular here before (and he
was) he was loved after he had finished
his speech Saturday afternoon. 1t was
manly, dignifed and convincing and will
make votes for him.
After Judge Fowle had concluded his
speech Col. Burgwyn introduced Col. Da-
wilson, the present Attorney General of the
State, who he said had so competently per-
formed the high duties of his Office that no
change was thought necessary by the nomin'
taing convention last June, and Col. David
son was chosen by reclamation to succeed
himself. This was higher compliment to
the gentleman than any he might pay him,
and in we'll chosen remarks Col. Burgwyn
announced that the present and future At
torney General of the State would address
| the audience. This was Col. Davidson's
| first appearance among the people Of Vance
county. He was known only by repu-
| tltion to most of US, but it is not SO now.
| No man ever made more favorable or
lasting impression among strangers as a
strong and fOrcible political speaker
/ and pleasant agreeable gentleman soci-
ally than did Col. Davidson. He was
strong, clear and logical, and made a
most powerful and convincing argument.
/, He handled the tariff question in way
that showed an intelligent understanding
of the matter. and made it so plain and
simple that it would seem that noone could
fail to see the injustice of such an unjust
measure, the modification of which the
Democratic party is pledged to. He fitting