The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-07-10
POLITICAL ADDRESS.
TO DEMOCRATIC VOTERS,
An Address by the Democratic State
Executive Committee.
RALEIGH, June 16, 1890

| Executive OOIill1itCee.
RALEIGH, June 16, 1890.
At meeting of the Democratic State
Executive Committee held in this city OF
the 10th inst, it was resolved that the
| Democratic State Convention be held in
the city of Raleigh on Wednesday, the
Goth OF August, 1890.
1t will devolve on this convention tC
nominate for vacancies filled by appoint
ment of the Governor, II Chirf Justice anG
one Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court, and Judges of the Superior Court
for the first, fourth, fifth eighth and tenth
districts, also Judges of the Superior
Court for the second, six, seventh and
eleventh districts to succeed the present
incumbents, whose terms expire, and to
adopt a platform of principles and for
such other business as may properly
come before it.
The convention is called to meet later
than in 1888 to suit the convenience OF
the great masses of the Democratic voters
SO that fuller representation, rejecting
a more general sentiment, may be in
sured, and it is very desirable that the
delegates shall attend.
The Democratic party cOngra tulates
the people of the State upon the material
and Moral advancement made under its
| benefcent administration of affairs, and
having redeemed its pledges in the past,
presents it's claims to them for continu-
ance of that confidence to which it is
justly entitled, fully assured that they
will be recognized and the interests OF all
classes thus subserved
| The term for which Hon. ZebulOn b.
| Vance has been elected to the Senate of
| the United States will expire next March,
and the legislature to be chosen this year
will be called upon to fill it. 1t behOoves
us to see to it thatno Republican is elected
to the Senate from this State.
The committee most earnestly request
a thorough early organization in every
| township and county in the State. 1t is
| essential that this preliminary work shall
be done at Once so that we may be ready
for an active, energetic campaign as soon
as the convention ad djourns. 1t will not
do to assume that our opponents, because
they are inactive now, have no life. They
can organize with alacrity, and stand
ready to take advantage of any apparent
lethargy on our part, and, if we wish to
prevent opposition, we must demon
strate, by our organization and strength,
it's futility. In 1882 over confidence and
apathy nearly resulted in the loss of the
State, and again in 1886 from the same
cause, the control of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the State was lost to the
Democrats, and given to our opponents.
Such result must be carefully guarded
against this year.
1t important that the various county
conventions be called at such times as
will best suit the masses of the party, to
the end that full and free choice of can
didates for the Offices may be had and no
discomfort engendered.
The Republican party of to-day is the
same as in the dark days Of recOnstruc-
ton, and only awaits the opportunity to
infict upon our people the same disgrace
and humiliation. Its action in the fed
eral congress indicates too plainly that it
is party of force, without respect for
law or order.
The despotic usurpations of the petty
tyrant who has been placed by them in
the speakers chair only to dishonor it:
the deprivation of legally elected Demo-
Congress and the sea ting of Republicans
in their stead without the least vestige of
right, for partizan purposes, and the ef-
fort to perpetuate themselves in power by
the passage of federal election law by
which the control of congressional cleo
tons will be transferred from the State
authorities to the hands of irresponsible
agents appointed at the dictation of I'M
scrupulOus partizans at the national cap
ital, thus striking a serious blow at our
cherished institutions and the rights of
the sovereign States: the reckless appro-
pratiOn OF the public funds for illegal and
unnecessary purposes, by which not only
is the surplus left in the treasury at the
end of Mr.. .,Tleveand's benign administra-
ton entirely swept away and a large de-
felt created, but also the opportunity of
giving relief from the burdens of taxation
is retarded; all admonish us that our
only safety lies in return to Democratic
rule in the country and its continuance
at home. Should they succeed in their
aims we might expect federal supervisors,
backed by federal bayOnetS, at the polls
and a re-enactment of the scenes of 1868
in our own and our sister States.
Utterly Indifferent to the interests of
the Southern farmer, all it's legislation
has been at our expense for the benefit of
other interests and other sections, and
the only hope of the agricultural South
is to throw off the legislative shackles
that have crippled our prosperity and
bound us to poverty is to move forward
on t1e lines OF tnOSe great principles OF
relief which the Democratic party has
steadfastly advocated. To attain these
ends the cooperation of all patriotic men
who have at heart the prosperity Of our
agricultural and industrial interests and
the material welfare OF our Southern peO-
pie is earnestly asked, and they are urged
to enroll themselves beneath the Demo
cratic banner
Let every Democrat realize the respon-
sbiiity that rests upon him and meet it.
There can be no doubt of a grand victory
if we do our full duty. Unceasing vigi-
lance is the price which we mnst pay for
success, but when we consider what de-
feat means to Us the sacri ice is small |
Over estimate, rather than under esti-
mate, the enemy and go into the fight de-
termined to win it. We must prove equal
to the emergency, and when the first
Tuesday in November shall have passed |
victory will be ours, and white supremacy, |
which is synonymous with Democratic |
rule, will be assured to US for further |
term.
BY the committee
Ed. CHAMBERS SMITH, Ch'mn
b. {. BECKwITH, Sec'y