The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-02-08
RECONSTRUCTION.
A Correspondent SKIS if Holden was
Worse than his Allies!

Especial Cor. to STATE CHRoNICLE.]
Judging from the comments of the press
Of the Stale, letters, &c, a considerable
number OF which have heen printed in the
CHRONICLE, the letter signed r. B Russell
in the last issue beng 80 average sample:
1t seems to be pretty generally considered
a marvellous piece OF ''cheeh" on the part
Of EXGov Holden to have written his re-
quest to the Legislature 10 endorse his
course while Governor, &c.
If We look at his case alone, it does
seem SO, but if We consider ii IN connection
with some other facts, he is at least to
some extent jasti fed III his apparent cheek
Most of US who recall the fearful days
of Reconstruction, know that Holden
was surrounded by men equally as bad as
himself, bis councillors, his ad4 iSerS his
Intimate associates, lnstigators of many
Of his outrages, aids and abettors in all; ;
who equally with him, traltorOus to their
people and their State, profted by his OPP
preston of the decency, honor and man
hood of North Carolina grew rich on the
taxes wrung from a stal wing. helpless peo-
ple were raised to office and to power;
lived, fattened and thrived upon the indig
mites, crimes and oppression heaped upon
the good people OF the State. Holden was
most conspicuous because be held the high
est place among them; through him all
their deeds were done, their purposes ac-
complished, and when the end came Hol-
den met the punishment they all deserved,
such punishment as it had been we'll for
North Carolina had ALL received.
But in these years of his enforced re-
tirement, has not EX Gov Holden SEEN
can he not now see much that may we'll
lead him to expect that his crimes too may
be forgOtten2 Much that may we'll inspire
him with ''cheek" sufficient to ask all that
lie has asked?
Has he not from time to time seen mem
bers of his old crew leap from the sinking
Republican ship, now empty, of treasure
wherewith to reward its crew, into the
deck Of Democracy, met there with a
whoop and cheers where they proclaim
with all the unntcesaries of virtue, that
their old party is too dirty" "too de
graded, ''too BLACK" for them now? They
seemingly forget that some of Us must re-
call what that party was twenty years ago:
it is surprising that any of Us should for
get it. If it is black, dirty and degraded
| now, in the name of heaven what was it
| then! No man who was with it then and
ablded there while its power lasted, can
claim that it is now too black, too dirty,
| degraded for him, without a cheek more
| marvellous than that which Ex Gov. Hol
| den showed.
Has net Ex Gov Holden seen some of
these same placed in office by him retained
there through years of Democratic Ad
minlstrations, consulted with, advised
with and influencing Democratic Admin
istrations? Has he not seen them infiu
encing Democratic legislation, aye dictat-
ing it at times? Membe of his own staff
appointed on the staff Of Democratic Gov
ernors and all these things too with hardly
a shadow of repentance2 More such things
| could be recalled. Has not Holden seen
all this and is it in this light, such marvel
lous cheek for him to make the request he
does? He is aged -, one foot is in the
grave, the strength is Tot in him to dc
harm again. He acknow Iedges that Meth
er party owns him. Suroly he is less
"cheeky,' less dangerous than those who
seemingly own BOTH parties. His case
could be worse. 1t WaS III bad taste and
a mistake for him to appeal to the Legis
lature as he did, but how much more
| humble, how much less ''cheekE' for hin
to acknowledge that both parties deslreT
him than to attempt to be in both anC
thus work out his ends. He is indeed GU
Of politics and has b@en FOR years Ht
| should be content 10 remain SO, and, i
possible let his political life pass from th'
memory Of man trusting that the immOrta
God will forgive, whac MOI tai man CANNOT
| JACkSONIAN DEMOCRAT