The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-04-05
AS TO RANSOM'S SUCCESSOR.
He Has Quite Lived Out His Uuseful-
ness and has Gotten Away From
the PeOple--A Change in the Sena-

ness and has Gotten Away From
the PeOple---A Change in the Sena-
tOrial Success Would be Desirable.
Reidsville Review.l
While the RevlezU would like to see
some other good man go to the Senate
next time to succeed Senator Ransom,
yet we don't believe in swapping
horses crossing a stream. With the
chance Of Populist candidate slipping
in and gaining the coveted seat, the
Democrats will have to be on their
guard. If a change is to be made in
the Democratic choice it should be
accomplished with the least possible
friction. Whatever is done should be
with concert of action and no bitter
ness should be allowed to inter into
the contest. If party sentiment fails
to crystalize around the proper man
as the senior Senator S successor, rather
than submit to too many divisions it
would be better for the Democracy to
husband every element of strength and
rally once more to the old Chieftain.
If, on the other hand, the people are
becoming restive under Senator Ran
SONS representation and change is
demanded, the Senator ought not to
fly in the face of party harmony but,
in order to simplify the situation and
secure Democratic success, he should
withdraw from the race and help to
accomplish the ends of the party.
With the present narrow majority in
the upper House, and no chance Of
the Democratic lead being increased
soon, no unnecessary risks ought to be
taken.
We believe change in the Sena-
torial succession would be desirable.
Senator Ransom has enjoyed a long
lease of public life, being, with one
exception, the oldest member of the
Senate in length OF service. He has
spent the flower of his manhood and
the rlper years of his life in the higher
council hall of the nation. While
naturally modest and retiring man,
he has always stood in the forefront
among Titanic contemporaries. He
has received the fullest measure of
confidence from the party rank and
| file at home and abroad.
But he has quite lived out his use
fulness and has gotten away TO some
extent from the people. Since his en-
trance into political life new gener-
alton has sprung into existence and
grown to manhood. The young men
the life of the party-while holding
in profound veneration the name and
record of Senator Ransom, are not
so familiar with his character and his
methods and are not in close sympa.
thy and touch with him.
Senator Ransom's fame could moi
be added to by return to the Senate
His ambition would have nothing to
gain by it, and he Can now afford to
retire and rest among his laurels. He
has been honored equal to the desert:
of any man-repeatedly with the
highest position within the gift Of {
sovereign State. No man in public
life has attained to prouder position
than he. 1t would be unfortunate fo
this great statesman to suffer defeat l
would be deplorable for his untarnisheo
reputaton-now the common heri
!; tage of a grateful people-to suffe
attack from any quarter. 1t would b'
two fold calamity if the complica
tlons should result in the election t
his seat of some Radical Populist in
terloper and usurper.
The same is also more or less tru,
of Senator Vance. The careful OBJ
server of the changes Unpopular feeling
in North Carolina can not overlool
this phase of the matter. Senator
Ransom and Vance are secure in thei
f position, bound as they are to th'
hearts of North Carolinians by th'
ties of peace and war Blunders OF
the part of either of them can be ex
cused which would drive many othe
men from public life.
1t is no reflection on them TO sa
shat the drift of popular feeling i
) going away from them at last. Th
: time has come for them 10 step dowl
and out and make room for other am
bilious and deserving representative
OF the party. 1t is hard phrase t.
use, but they "lag superluous. Fo
their own and their party's sake the
should not weary its patience longer
But, above all, we hope the mex
Senator will be Democrat, as we'll a
the next and the next.