The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-07-20
MR.. MASON IN CATAWBA,
SOUND, LOGICAL, WISE, CONSERVE
ATIVE DEMOCRATIC SPEECH.
One Thousand COuntymen lin New
tOm-The Speech OfaMai.: Robbins
and Others.

One Thousand COuntymen lin New
tOn-The Speech ofsMai.: Robbins
and Others.
Special to State Chronicle.
NEWTON, N. G., July 19.-Maj. S. NJ.
Finger presided at the speaking to day.
Over one thousand people were in at
tendance. The address of Hon. T. w.
Mason, railroad commissioner, was
wise, conservative and democratic.
He was listened to with great in
ierest and attention by all present.
He spoke of Catawba as beautiful in
name, fortunate in situation, glorious in
history, splendid and omnipotent in her
democracy. He mentioned the presen-
tation of banner to the county by Sen
ator Vance in 1885 for h. leadership in
the campaign of '04, ard said he had
come, not to teach democracy to the
men of Catawba for they knew their
duty, and would perform it, but to ask
them, in the name of the East and of the
West, to take the banner of 'S4 and lead
it to victory in '92. He said that victory
now meant even more than victory
meant eight years ago; that then Cleve-
land stood face to face with Blaine; now
he stood face to face with Harrison.
He characterized the issue in 'S4 as re-
trenchment and reform and honest gov
ernment. He said the issue now in
volved for men not only honest govern
ment, but the very life of the govern
ment that the republican party had not
only declared against all financial re-
form, and allied itself nneQuivocally
with the robber barons of the tariff, but
it had also declared its purpose to invade
the States and to take charge of their
gone by marched into the halls of their
legislations with an armed soldiery. He
dwelt on this ''most infamous measure
that ever crossed the threshold of the Sen
ate" and said the liberty loving sons of
Catawba would not give countenance to
any party that thus sought to invade the
very sanctuary of freeman's right. He
contrasted the positions of the two par
ties with reference to financial reform,
and honest administration of the gov
ernment, and said that although Harrison
defeated Cleveland in 'SS that the heart
of the people was with the democratic
party, as shown by Cleveland's ma iority
of 9S, 900 on the popular vote. That
great and necessary as were financial re
form and honest administration of the
government to the prosperity of the peo
pie, they we're of less moment than tht
preservation of the internal government.
of these States, without which the re
public must cease except in name and q
a mockery. He spoke of the administra
tion of the State government by th'
democratic party, and saiu no good citi
zen could raise his finger agains
it. That it had needed ever,
reasonable wish of the people. He spok
of the State convention and tn
candidates, as the deliberate and calm ex
preston of the people. He spoke of tn
discomfort of the people culminating il
: the formation of the peoples party. H
g characterized its beginning as indigna
]. tion against felt wrong, in the admins
e tration of national government. That tn
!. people had suffered evils, without rem
; edy, until they had become distrustfl
e even of their friends; and he regrette
n to know that democrats were threatenin
to turn away from the only organizatio
true enough and strong enough to Civ
us the relief which we all alike long fC
and hope for. He begged the people not
s. make mistake in seeking remed,
IT He besought them to look carefully b.
6 fore they weakened and perhaps d
6 stroyed a political organization that ha
q restored and administered the govern
u ment of North Carolina and of 9th
y Southern States, SO that Northern capit
q sought here more genial home, in spi
le of all the false clamor of the republic,
party of Southern outrage. In concl
sion he expressed his faith that Catawl
a would again prove her loyalty to tt
= democratic party and take her place
:" the color company in the line.
!. Mr.. Mason was followed by Maj
- - Robbins, who made an able address
~ ~ an hours length. The speaking d
~ good. Better feeling exists. The d
81 e. mocracy is more united. Third par
"a weakening perceptibly.