The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-01-03
THESE BE HONEST MEN.
Honorable Democrats and COnserva-
tive Republicans.
Wilmington Messenger.

w IILIilIplon MeSScnPcf.J
1t is highly honorable in Nh John
f. Woodland and Mr.. n. A. Mclean,
Democrats, who were elected solicitors
in the recent election, to decline under
the circumstances. The returns are
favorable to them, and the certificates
OF election were granted them, but
they decline as it Is apparent that a
majority Of the votes cast were not in
tended for them. The Canvassing
board were compelled to act as they
did, but 1t is a matter Of graduation
that the two honest and honorable
gentlemen named decline to act.
They are both good lawyers Of cx-
Cellent record, and it will add TO their
good name to see them bearing them
selves as they have done. Try to get
the idea in your noddle that in the
hungry RAIDS had it all their own way
importing, colonizing, repeating
negro voters and buying white electors,
debauching legislators by purchase,
and robbing the people Wholesale
declining any Office from constable up
on any technical ground. They COB
bled all and never made a wry face
once. What times they were for rob
bers and rogues and rascals you
would learn Of those villainous and
gruesome times see the Ship Fraud
Commission and Bragg Commission,
Russell's recent interview and certain
files Of the Raleigh Sentinel from 1869
to 1878. Knowing Mr.. Woodland
personally well he has done precisely
as one might have expected Of him.
The honest, upright, just way is
always the way for honest, upright
men to walk in. People will regard
with favor the man who measures by
high standard Of reCtlude and wears
his honor unsuli:d under any 'enp a
ton. The Democratic party has good
cause to be proud Of Messrs. Wput
ard and Mclean.
We do not mean to be unders:r d
that there are not honorable and fir
men among the Republicans. X, lie
what has been done may be repeated,
we are not disposed now to Anticipate
as much harm from Radical s,:;I,tn-
acy as we feared. The in,er:cl'!I {
twenty years since that party ruled IN
unrighteousness and dishoucr haze
taught the leaders a few yer, 'nuCh
needed, wholesome lessons. ii, st If
the old sci who plucked and I:I
waste are gone. A better Glass VI
younger men has come on, and the
survivors of the bosses of 1870, are
not disposed to plough SO deep as
their party ploughed when riot and
ruin and proaigacy held sway in North
Carolina.
Once lawyer was telling US Of the
Old Bailey tricks and short cuts Of a
certain lawyer. After turning on the
light he added-hc would not do that
now. He has outgrown the old mean
ness, etc. SO even the Radical moss
backs have learned and can moralize
and promise we'll just as if they had
been trained in another school. Talk
well is easy, but dc zycNis a very great
deal better. By their fruits shall the
Radical party in their unexpected SUI
premacy in North Carolina be judged.
If they manifest fair share of wisdom,
patriotism ant conservatism they will
have credit for it, Blu, if they lose
their heads, and, in a rapacious and
wicked spirit turn " loose the dogs of
war" and L" cry havoc )" if they go to
work to undo the great prosperity
brought to the State by twenty years
of Democratic rule (and only blind
men have failed 10 see it and ignorant
Enen have failed to know it and unfair,
disingenuous men have failed to
acknowledge III if they drive out
capital and repel capital and go into
wildcat legislation and bring sorrow
and dismay and ruin upon the State,
woe be unto the traitors to the people
and the enemies of honest and good
government.
There are moderate men among the
NaulCaIS VINO 90 not regard with FAVOR
the extreme utterances Of ultra men
who would have North Carolina
helped while they strengthen the
stakes of their party men who know
that the surest, safest, indeed only
way TO continuance of power, is to
govern wisely, in spirit of equity and
economy and inteprity and who will
resist with their influence the plans of
the extremists some of whom perhaps
would rather .:rule in hell than serve
in Heaven
The Messenger hopes from the
signs that the moderate men may be
able to restrain the restless spirits and
save North Carolina from serious det-
rIment. So be it.