The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-21

ELECTION OF MR.. PRITCHARD

Mr.. Pritchard is Senator
For the next six years he will represent
North Carolina in the seat so long occu-
pied by Vance, the greatest man known
to the annals of North Carolina history.
The incentive worthily to fill the chair
of that illustrious Senator will call forth
every energy of the young Senator, who
lives in the mountains Of Vance's section,
and who has mingled for years with the
same people who gave Vance their cun-
dence and affection. If Mr.. Pritchard
is resolved to wear the Senatorial toga
in such manner as to deserve and win the
esteem and regard of his people, he will
study the career of his distinguished
prede cessor and walk in the ways blazed
out by his rugged integrity.
Mr.. Pritchard richly deserves every hon
or at the hands of the Republican party
of North Carolina He is their boldest
leader. He has been unceasing and UNI
firing in his championship of Republi-
can principles and policies from his ear
lest youth. He is a Republican from ira
dition, environment and conviction. He
il likewise hater of the Democratic par
ty. He is a partisan in every fibre. lie
fights for his party, right or wrong, and
has done so when the other leaders Were
sulking in their tents, or exhibiting an
Indifference that made party success Inn
possible. He has been in the thickest of
the fight since 1876, encouraging his fol-
,owers nv an optimism that carried him
to the front as leader. It was easy Tor
such a man to forge to the front. His
party has possessed comparatively few
men who combined brains, courage and
energy. He has them all, and while not
n learned or profound man. knows poll
,;cs as n science. His first success was
as vigorous campaigner, bitter and
abusive of his opponents. The Mitcneli
county Republicans liked his spirit. 1t
was akin to theirs. He found the same
spirit in Madison county to which he af-
forwards removed. He showed his wis
dom in selecting his home. His surround
iugs suited his stalwart Republicanism,
and his earlier vengeful hostility to the
Democrats was shared by the big Repub-
lican army in his county. They sent him
To the Legislature, where he naturally
took the lead in minority usually made
of inferior men and negroes. But he was
in the front rank even when now and
then q strong Republican was elected.
He loved a fight, and in the session of
1889, we think it was, it was sight long
To be remembered to see the Senator-elect
and State Senator Frank Ray of Macon,
join issue upon political policies. They
were battles royal. Mr.. Ray had more
humor, but in other respects they were
well matched.
AS a State legislator, Mr.. Pritchard
looked chiefly to making political capital,
and was seldom heard in the House ex-
cept when discussing bills bearing upon
politics, or antagonizing a Railroad Com
mission, or otherwise championing the
cause Of the railroads and other corpora
tons He thus gained early in his pub
lie career the enthusiastic support of the
leaders and rank and file of his party,
and the powerful influence and backing
of certain corporations. These have been
potent factors in his election.
The most notable Congressional cam
paign in the State in recent years, and
one in which Mr.. Pritchard made more
reputation than in any other, was the
contest between Mr.. Pritchard and Mr..
Crawford. They are both self-made men,
both young, vigorous and aggressive, and
both had the loyal and enthusiastic sup
port of their parties. They spoke in ev-
cry county in the district, and aroused an
enthusiasm unprecedented in the noun
tains except in the famous race between
Vance and Avery. This campaign es-