The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-26
"WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE
NIGHT?-

NIGHT"
A farmer friend from the country
asked US what we thought of the fu-
ture Of country. W. Could give TO
satisfactory answer. Thus far the pros
poets are gloomy enough. If asked
what about the uture of North Caro-
lima we would have to reply, that il
was dark and desperate il the plumber
ers and incompetents are to remain in
charge of the state and its desiinieS.
There Is a widespread conviction, and
1t Is hourly growing. that unless the
tax payers and the men Of character
and ppatriotism get together and COM
bine heartily to turn Out the set now
a Iaging and running that North Car
DINA will get a complete setback. and
cease to make any advance in any di-
rection. The last legislative body was
so ~disgraceful, SO utterly incapable, SO
Indifferent to North Carolina and her
multiplied interests, SO reckless. SO
greedy. SO vicious, that people of sense
of all parties feel the shame and the
disgust. An old and esteemed friend Of
many decadeS-venerable in years and
intelligent-recently wrote to is (on
19th) about the condition Of the state.
He sees the danger and distress fol-
lowing the political power now in
North Carolina, and like a true patriot
he is deeply anxious to see a change.
He writes in hope hat the democracy
will arouse and be at work at once to
help redeem the state. He says: 1t
will not do to give up. but We must
resolve that the state shall be free
from republican domination" God
speed the day! To save the state from
misrule and extravaganza and corrup-
ton the honest, faithful men-not pol
iticianS and Office-SeekerS-in all the
parties must resolve to relieve North
Carolina of the rule and ruin gang.
Nothing else will save the state and
keep it on an upward grade of prosper
ity.
An esteemed and patriotic friend en-
closes us a letter to him written on 10th
inst, by hat progressive and patriotic
citizen, Colonel Julian S. Carr, Of Dur
ham. with permission to make such ex-
tracts as may seem to us proper and
judiciouS. The letter is in reply to one
our friend had addressed to Colonel
Carr. Evidently not a line was intend
ed for any eye but his to whom it is
written. But having the opportunity to
reproduce a part, we do so in the nope
that it will stimulate others to activ-
ity and help to set in motion impulses
n influences that may do good to the
democracy and through them to the
state. Colonel Carr writes:
Like yourself / am perpleXed and
| sorely troubled over the present condi-
ton Of affairs in North Carolina; for,
like yourself, l dearly love old North
Carolina, and my desire and purpose
has been to do what lay in my power
to elevate and develop our dear old
state. But 1 find myself painfully dis
tressed that our lines have fallen in
| evil n1opaC and tho Pie Hl1otinO Ri
gade' for a mess of pottage have bar
tered our good name until we are well
nigh a bywOrd and reprOach among
the sister-hood Of states 1t may
be that it is best that we tabernacle
awhile in the Valley of Desolation.
Weeping may endure for a night, but
joy cometh in the morning. The un-
terrified, the %unbought, the incorruptl-
BILE democracy will yet redeem the state
with such a rich heritage, and lead a
stricken people back to Beulah Land.
Ignorance and vice can lead only for
a season. Virtue and intelligence SOON
er or later must and will prevail =
For several reasons I prefer not to en-
ter politics. My wish is to serve in pri-
vate station; but I have sworn, God
willing the state must and shall be
redeemed We have seen the
worst, for I am persuaded that an out
. civ hoOiSN pSoPAS, Ho oNS JUS
tice and respect virtue will when an
other opportunity presents itself, hurl
from place n power, those who serve
for pie and pelf. The part of the true
man is to be up and doing, SO I have
drawn my blade and thrown away my
scabbard, and sworn upon the naked
blade, that North Carolina shall be
free"
These are animating stirring words.
Let every genuine, true, loyal North
Carolinian, born or adopted, resolve
with Colonel Car to strike for redemp-
ton and victOry-to restore North Car
DINA to those who will govern in right
~eousness, and who for twenty years
sought to place the state upon a high
plane Of prosperity, and bring peace
and contentment to all. Let there be
an united, enthusiastic, vigorous effort
made for the restoration of all that is
good and just and wise and ~nevole
and uplifting and noble.