The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-01
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1897.
IS THE TIDE TURNING ?

II it be we'll based that the popular
>xevulsion in Wake county against the
~demoralized state government, includ-
Ing the legislature and it's doings, is so
great that it will go democratic by a
very large majority, it may be a sign
OF the revulsion elsewhere, in the coun-
ties adjacent to Raleigh, and If in these
why not in the east and in the west?
1t is difficult to understand how any
man of ordinary intelligence, who re-
CARDS his own private interest as well
as the welfare of the state can fail of
disgust when he knows what has oc-
CURED since the year set in. The old
~rcarpet-bag legislature had no little abil-
lily with it's general d~issoluteness and
corruption, but the last legislature was
composed, with only a few exceptions,
OF men of no experience, no intelligence,
no conceptions Of public duty, no judg-
nent. They did not seek to do what
was right. They were vicious, ignorant
and laundering. If North Carolina is
to have a future of prosperityand re-
y - AAo AANAA vi l.
Of ability, of high integrity in charge.
III the state continues in the hands of
wild theorisers, speculative incOmpa-
IAnts, reckless plotters, vicious schem-
eTs it will be thoroughly wrecked.
-Nathing can save North Carolina from
chaos, from complete degradation and
7zeyitable decay but by driving out
Ell the fellows now in office, Kidding the
sfate Of the terrible incubus and dis
Ezace, and restoring hope, confidence
-arrd a sure personal safety to the peo-
pae-
Since the awful gang got in control
aE the state government what a disas-
fr has overtaken almost every depart
ment of the public service. The most
,damnning scandals have occurred. The
u~enitentiary, that was made self-sup-
porting, under the sInanage-
xzxent, in six months is plunged into
hopeless bankruptcy, and the bull
1lzaaded governor is anxious to get rid
of the whole thing by leasing it to a
private cOncern-an open confession of
utter incapacity. The management of
b pen is a disgrace both financially
humanity. The public institutions
have been entered and used as mere
party places for the punishment of ca
NaDle, efficient men who were of another
politics. One of the new appointees is
n man whose moral character has been
r-1nct cnr;0,,c1xy Io~oo-al t. ~~oJJ
known to thousands of people.
The acts of the legislature have been
so blnnderingly, ignorantly drawn they |
nave given vast trouble. The dealings |
with the common schools, giving ne
Eroes control of white schools practical
7y. AVE been both disastrous Int infa- |
mous. The public printing scandal is
only another witness against the thing |
that controls. Then there are the polit- |
Neal gyrations, the self-will, the pig |
readiness, the angry demonstrations, |
h Usurpations and abuses of Dan Rus
sSeA, the governor, judge, star-chamber
president and universal tsar all in one |
to d~ecoratethe whole show n give |
popular zest to the ring performance. |
before has North Carolina been |
sxs controlled by unwonted, unheard of
uses of power, and abuses of privileges |
rs now. 1t is enough to make really |
Eood men to pray, as st. Paul. prayed, |
10 be delivered from unreasonable and
wicked men,. and to cause patriots to
sxemble for the ark Of liberty and the |
Hzfety Of the state. 1t is a d~eplorable |
North Carolina is in, and If
xk should continue to grow worse. it |
mnst end in something not remote from
chaos. The voters-the white men of
NORTH Carolina have great responsible
Kies resting upon them now as patriots
and electors. If they shall prove
wssorthy of their heritage, worthy of the
fsoble fathers who laid the foundations .
builded wise n we'll; if they shall
properly the magnitude of
xhe dangers that threaten the prosper
lily. the safety, the very peace and
glory of North Carolina, they will assert
Tneir white nhoo and cooperate to
save the noble old state from further
and to restore to her peace
and law within all her borders. So
neN 1t.