The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-13
THEY CROSS SWORDS.

6u%4C4 S444 91ISO~S G4SSS O0 SA(
A staff correspondent Of The Cam-
cdsiGn was one of several from Clinton
to attend the joint discussion between
M. Butler and @. B. Aycock, at Mt.
Olive last Friday. Some of the partisan
papers, andsome of their more partisan
readers Gf such a thing is possible)
were predicting that Mr.. Butler would
not be there. Inasmuch as the State
Executive Committee had billed him
for the Western part of the State for
the same day, even his friends felt
some un~easiness. They felt so much
cerned that they even ~telegraphed to
know whether he was aboard the
in the affirmative, and their fears were
abated. When the train slowed up at
Mt. Olive, MI. Butler saw that a large
enthusiastic crowd, bearing a Weaver
and Exum banner, had gathered at
the depot to welcome him. He stepped
on the platform, lifted his hat, bowed
and smiled to the anxious friends. He
was Immediately conducted to the
stand where he and Mr. Aycock spoke
to a crowd of about eighteen hundred
people.
Mr.. Aycock came first. He, at his
best, and in his most happy style, held
the attention of the people for more
than an hour. Though we we're inter
rupted by thirty men who wanted to
subscribe for The Caucasian while he
was speaking.) Mr.. Aycock strained
his point, and occasionally won the
applause of a part of his hearers. Mr..
Aycock is well known all over this
Estate, and is undoubtedly one of the
finest orators and best .reasoners in the
Democratic party. Mr.. Aycock made
a fine effort, but this was 10 moret than
we expected, as we had heard on our
way that he was in fine trim" and
that his friends were jubilant over the
expected victory.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Aycock1s
speech, Mr.. Butler arose before that
vast assemblage and in his calm,
forcible and convincing Mariner, ex-
pounded the causes of this great reform
movement that is being felt from the
Atlantic to the Pacific and from the
Lakes to the Gulf. He discussed the
principles of the Peoples party and
showed the fallacies of Democratic
or Republican salvation. At times
Mr.. Buffers voice would be very indis-
tinct on account Of the loud cheering
of that enthusiastic crowd. When Nh.
Aycock gave up the stand, even some
of Mr.. Buffers friends might possibly
have entertained doubts as to whether
or not he was equal to the occasion.
He had not spoken long, however,
when they became thoroughly con
WINGED that he was the right man in
the right place. So assiduously, indus
triously and ably, did he handle his
competitor that on the next round he,
chr. Aycock was necessarily put on
the defensive.
W. asked several prominent men
what they thought of the speaking,
and we received various answers.
Some said that Mr.. Aycock, with all
his oratory, had nothing to boast of;
others said that it was a complete vic
tory for Butler and the Peoples party.
We think it mildly put when we say
that tn work of that day laid a strong,
firm and d~eep-rooted foundation for
the Peoples party in this part of the
State. At least, we r convinced that
there are a good many, and the very
best at that, who are not married to
the two old parties. E.. M. ?.