The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-21
Mr.. CATHeYS SPEECH.
he GIVES HIS REASONS FOR NO r.
ING FOR CYRUS THOMPSON.
The Representative from Swain, i
Voting for Senator, Explained
His Vote,

TVS NSASs
Mr.. Cathey, Democratic member from
Swain county, who votes for Mr.. Thomp-
son for Senator, made a short speech eX-
| planning his vote Mr.. Cathcy is proving
| himself a good legislator--he is attentive
TO his duty, and always conscientious IN
carrying out the will of his people, as
| he understands it. He said
Mr.. Speaker:-Up to this present mo
ment it was most foreign to me that l
should add one word TO what was being
said on this occasion. But, sir, when my
| mind reverted to my home nesting high
up under the shadow Of the Great Smo-
| kies-the home of brave and liberty
| loving people-the home of those whom
| the great Lincoln was pleased to dubb
| the plain people--those who in times of
peace pay our taxes, without a murmur,
and in time of war fight our battles with
| a will--when my mind ran back amidst
| the shadows of those majestic d0mes, the
| natal home Of the immortal Vance, thar
great tribune of the people; the best friend
the poor man has ever had in the bounds
Of our beloved State When my mind re-
verified to these circumstances and events
/ could not refrain from adding my mite
to the grand sum OF all that will be said
by gentlemen of this House in naming
long term successor to XebulOn i.
Vance.
Il would not, if could, dim ought
| of the record Of Mr.. Pritchard that is of
good report | claim Il share in the fame
that has justly come to him as the honest
representative Of the honest Republicans
OF the West But, sir, beg leave to dis
sent from the opinion of those who be-
| believe the record of Senator Pritchard
| on the only vital issue-the financial is
sue-is u record that will bear the test OF
scrutiny stability aud good faith. No,
sir, Mr.. Pritchard's record as an advocate
OF the restoration OF the money Of the
| telling masses of the American people, as
| the money Of the Constitution and our
forefathers, viii not stand, it is to volum-
| nous, too yascillating, too rotatory.
And, sir / desire TO say to the distin-
guished gentleman from Ashe, who. in the
great and exultant joy of his heart quotes
| Gray's Elegy and compares the intrench-
| ed power of the Republican party here
| and calls it the boast of heraldy and the
pomp of power" / say / want to remind
| the gentleman that
| ''The boast of heraldy.
| The pomp Of power
| And all that 'trickehy'
And all that ''chicanery" eer gave.
| Await alike the inevitable hour
| The paths Of glory lead but to the grave.
Il warn the gentlemen on the other
| side Of this chamber that / am aware OF
| the fact that / belong to the minority par
| ty in the State OF North Carolina, and
| in the nation as WELL
Il AsR4If I M to xxEar fhnyf1 tho
step they are about to take here to-day
/ want to say to them that we blindly fol-
| lowed the sinful leadership OF repro
bate chief executive, and that the first
time the great common people got lick
| at lis they simply cut our heads off polit-
ically, and you may profit by our exam
pie.
Il warn you of the danger that lies in
the way OF all parties who, in the mad
rush for place lose sight Of principle, and
| in the perpetuation Of party overthrow
the people
ASK yourselves the question, Do we.
in the choice of a man to represent the
State Of North Carolina in the highest
legislative body in the land, do we voice
the sentiment of a majority Of all the
qualified voters of the State? If so, then
all will well; il not, so snre as there is
justice afoat in the world, there will be
day Of reckoning:
Mr.. Speaker, the Democratic party is
committed to the cause of sill
yer, the cause of the people.
| am one Of those who believe in the hon
esty OF the professions Of the Populist
party on this great paramount question.
|. Why, sir, in the late campaign on every
stump III my county, the gallant little
mountain county Of Swain, | was asked
by Populists for whom, in the event Of
my election to the Legislature, would /
east my vote for United States Senator,
and invariably / answered: For any good
silver man who has a record in perfect
favor with the white metal behind him
whom your party may present.
.'As an honest Democrat, representing
aIl honest Democratic constituency, /
propose here and now to verify my prom
Use. and make my pledge good.
And now, reiterating that pledge, ] re
peat the words Of that young giant tri-
bune Of the West, whose shoulders are
broad enough for the mantle of Gas
ton, a Macon, or Vance, / hurl it into
the face Of the enemies Of the people ev
erywhere: You shall not press
down upon the brow of labor this crown
Of thorns; you shan not cruelty mankind
upon a cross of gold
II meet the gentleman from Columbus
half way, and heartily endorse and cheer
fully second the nomination Of DIR. Cyrus
Thompson, Of Onslow."