The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-08-29
MIR. HENRY RENOUNCES DEMOC-
RACY

and a portion of the Democratic press
and was done with the whole thing.
And this was why we thought he had
better wait. Such action did not pro-
coed from change of Convlctlons-a
matter of principle, his enemies
would say, but came Of pique and dis
appointment.
When he wrote his open letter to
Senator Ransom the two leading daily
papers of the central part Of the State
declined to publish it. One did pro-
pose to print it as an advertisement at
$40 column while the other refused
peremptorily. Mr.. Henry then said to
us that as he had been denied hear
ing through the Democratic press, he
would send it to a certain Populist
paper. This we advised him not to
do, giving him our reasons therefor.
Seeing that he was determined upon
doing it, with no thought on our part
that he would SO soon take the very
step that he would have been susplc-
toned of had his "open letter" first
been given the public through that
channel, we told him we would pub
| lish it ourself before he should do such
thing. Hence the publication of
the article in the GOLD LEAF.
We felt that as an earnest, working
Democrat who had rendered gallant
service to his party this much was due
Mr.. Henry. If he had grievance he
ought to have an opportunity to make
it known. If he was wrong in his
premises let his position be assalled,
his charges refuted. 1t appeared to
us that we could not be honest with
ourselves and do less than this.
The Raleigh Caucasian of this week
publishes lengthy address from Mr.
Henry giving his reasons for quitting
the Democratic party and undertaking
to Justify his course in joining the Pop
ulists. We have not read it and car
not say anything of its merits or de
merits.
While regretting the step that Mr.
Henry has taken it is not the practice
of this paper to vilify and abuse any
: man who may differ with it, POLITICAL!
or otherwise. He was good enough
man as Democrat and we rathe
: think of him as erring in judgment IN
e stead of becoming suddenly corrupt
when he sees fit to change his politica
# affiliations.
IS Mr.. Henrys position is a peculla
d one and we can not believe that h
T. will feel entirely satisfied with his me-
surroundings. He must experienc
e embarrassment in attempting to e,
: plain away many things, and althoug
II he says he does not seek Office in goin
;, over to the Populists, he will find
Il hard to make some people believe s.
k, The following editorial article tro
r the Petersburg, Va, haes-Ahbeal, S
- we'll expresses our views along this lir
+ that we give it place. Coming as
ct does from an independent paper, pu
IS lishcd in another State, paper Whit
ng keeps at its mast head the declaratit
" that it is "impartial and independe
of all parties,' that sit gives the ne
he of the day unbiased by the interests
political cliques or combinations, ar
he aims to promote the greatest good
'm the greatest number its utterant
- should carry more than the avera
IL weight attached to partisan journa
nd The Mder-AtbeaI says:
nd When man changes his politics
KIN exercises personal right which CAM
las be questioned. If he is a democ
ex- and announces his sudden conversi
is of the republican party, he is at libe
on to make the change without interi
the ence by his fellows. This is Fl
oke country and every man has right
nd hold any views which he may cho
the TO champion. So when Mr.. w.
on, Henry, of North Carolina, one Of
ne foremost democrats Of that state,
nts. week announced his remuneration
ed, the party of which he has long bee
member and his adherence in
future to the populist party and
''aS cratic principles, he took astep VIII
''S,iy was altogether within his province
.ne an American citizen. There are
ii,s tain circumstances, however, ConneC
All with his abandonment of the d.
NC ocracy which shed light upon
10 motive in becoming populist,
ing ! these circumstances will not add
al Mr.. Henry's influence among r
l III who fortunately possess little II
l - ! intelligence than the average F
'o' ,, ulist.
AZ Mr.. Henry was member of
W, r,'e democratic state committee, was
iHe effective and Jealous canyasser anC
''en' reason of his services to the p
oau' thought that he had a just claim
ca an office. His preference was
Ga sulship, and there is every reason
VI believe that he was admirably quail
i"' for the station for which he app
IT, 1t is stated that his endorsements
.,4 / of the highest order But his q