The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-06-23
HEARD FROM AGAIN.

LA ILL ho4n [lohlN'
The Editor Finds Time to Write An
other Lctter---He Stops in Mime
apoIis and Attends the Republican
National Conventions Omeward
Bound. &c.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, June 10, 'o2.
DEAR GOLD LEAF:--After a very
pleasant stay Of three days in Fargo,
North Dakota, as the guest OF that big
brother of mine, DR.. B. F., who will
he remembered by many of your
townspeople, We arrived here this
morning, having left Tacoma, Wash,
on the night of the grid inst. The
distance is many miles and the run
was made in fairly good time as our
train reached Fargo Tuesday morn
ing. OF the grandeur Of the scenery
along the Northern Pacific Railroad
| can not write now. A trip across
the great Rocky Mountains, past rich
mining camps and vast stock ranches,
through the "Bad Lands and i'm
mense wheat farms of Dakota, travers-
ing Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Mon
tana, North Dakota and Minnesota,
a distance of 2,o55 miles from Port
land to St. Paul, is in many respects
a more pleasant journey than we found
it from St. Louis to San Francisco.
But for romantic scenery l think that
along the line of the Southern Pacific
from San Francisco to Portland, 772
miles, surpasses either. But for de-
lightful climate and real enjoyment
of travelling commend we the
trip from Portland to Victoria, British
Columbia. From Portland to Tacoma
by rail is las miles, thence by boat
down the Puget Sound to Seattle Al
miles the change from rafting cars
and suffocating smoke to one of the
elegant steamers plying these waters,
is highly agreeable. Then on down
toward the outlet of this vast inland
sea and the placid Pacific, distance
of 50 miles, to Victoria, the ride is
one of the most enjoyable that can
be imagined. The surface of the
water is as smooth as glass, the air is
cool and bracing, in fact rather too
much so, for even with overcoats and
seal skin sacques one can not sit out
on deck longer than ten or fifteen
INMATES at time, and the scenery is
picturesque and enchanting. But |
have taken the back track as it were
while l started out in the direction
of home, and although we have covered
2,S27 miles since leaving San Fran
cisco on the return trip, not counting
the side excursions made down the
Columbia river and Puget Sound, a
considerable stretch of country yet
lies ahead and more than 1000 miles
separate us from friends and loved
ones in Henderson.
My object in stopping here to-day
was two-told. First, | desired Of
course to take in the Republican
National convention in session at
Minneapolis. The two cities are only
II miles apart, and as we arrived at
an early hour and wished to edo"
St. Paul before the afternoon session
of the convention we came on here,
and went back over to Minneapolis
later. OF the convention and what
was done readers of the GOLD LEAF
are doubtless familiar. There was
strong rivalry between the friends
and supporters of Harrison and Blaine,
and this was carried into the bitterest
sort of feeling. At one time it looked
very much like Blaine would be the
nominee; then it seemed impossible
under the circumstances for either the
man from Maine or the son of his
grand father to be the choice of the
convention. Mckinley was the one
conspicuous figure upon whom the
eyes of his party appeared about to
turn. But as late as yesterday it was
clear that sentiment among the dele
gates had undergone a change and
that Blaine was not Gin it," This
morning knowing ones said Harrison
had it all his way and that no COM
bination or power could cheat him
out of the nomination. And so it
developed. He received the nomina-
ton on the first ballot this afternoon.
There was cursing and bitter denun-
citation among the Blaine men when
the result was announced. They
charge the defeat of their candidate
to the perfdy of Southern delegates
(negroes) and the power Of the office
holders, of which class the convention
was composed in large part. Harrison
Is cordially hated by the Blaine men
and the support he will receive from
them will not be very cordial or en-
thusiastic. He is not popular on the
Pacific coast or Western States, and
it is not believed that he is as strong
now as he was in 1888. And after
extensive travel and oft repeated en-
qulry this is my deliberate opinion.
But Democrats must make no mistake
at Chicago and relax no efforts if they
expect to win. Mr.. Harrison is an
ADLER man and shrewder politician
than many give him credit for and
with the machinery of the party and
the patronage of the government in
his hands it will be no easy matter to
gain victory over him and drive him
from power.
We leave here at 1890 this evening
for the great Worlds Fair city via
Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail-
road, where our next stop will be
made. Here, another brother, :sW. T."
who spent the Christmas holidays in
Henderson,, as will be recalled by
his Carolina friends, is living and it is
on the bills that we are to stop with