The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-06-09
STIRRING SPEECHES.

Addresses Delivered by Them at the
Democratic Convention in Raleigh
Earnest and United Action to Save
the State From nisruIe and Disgrace
and to Restore Good Government
to the People the Duty of the Hour.
In opening the Convention Mr..
Manly addressed the assemblage,
and his remarks were accorded
hearty applause. He said:
Gentlemen of the Convention-As
Chairman of the State Executive
Committee | call this convention to
order. congratulate the Democracy
of North Carolina that at this time of
imminence to party fate, such splen-
did assemblage of it's citizens are
gathered together for the veal of the
State. | congratulate you that you
have been chosen for this post of honor
sent here by your people from every
part of the Commonwealth. | con-
gratulate the people of the State, the
intelligent and virtuous of the land
that you have met in their cause.
In thus speaking l mean no full
some compliment. 1t is manifest to
all that the Democratic party alone
can save the State from the misrule
and disgrace we are now enduring,
and restore good Government to the
people.
We have in North Carolina today
three political organizations claiming
the privilege of ruling this fair land.
The Republican party of $4,000
negroes and 80, 900 white men. The
Populist party having for it's con-
stituencv about 80, 900 white men. The
Democratic party composed of 49,
600 white men. Which of thes e
parties is entitled to rule; which
shall rule is the question? To the
Democratic party the State looks for
succor and aid whatever may be the
calamity which demands the patriot
| ism of her sons.
When the blast rings in our ears,
and the Government calls on her
citizens to 90 to battle against the
enemies of the Republic-to demand
satisfaction for dark assassination OF
our sailors, and to prevent the cruel
and inhuman treatment of poor
people struggling for freedom at
our doors, who answers this call to
duty and to honor? Ninety per cent.
of those brave boys, the 1900 of
North Cardinals sons who are now
in the ranks are your brotheren and
DemOcrts.
Now, when in peace, our State de-
mands that her sons rescue her from
worse enemy than the Spanish, po-
| litical disgrace and shame, the call
is to you-a solemn and mighty res
possibility.
| shall here nominate your tempo
rary presiding officer and leave you
to your deliberations, but since the
party last held in convention in this
| hall, your committee has taken such
action as demands statement to
this body-the supreme council of
the party.
In the campaign of 1896 the com.
mittee left to exercise its judgmen'
in the direction to the party policy
when not in conflict with principles
which you had promulgated made
every honorable effort to bring to-
gether the people of North Carolina
that those holding the same great
principles then in issue might see
those principles triumphant.
The Populist party had nominated
our candidate for President. The
great Nebraskan, armed in his holy
cause-that silver be restored to it:
position as money of final redemp.
tion-and thus check the ever in
creasing power of money and th'
equity decreasing value of propert.
WAS before the people. Our plail
duty was to give him effective, in
telliyent and, therefore, united sup
port Your committee thought thi
amalgamation of the electoral ticke
a duty dictated by every reason AM
princi pie, and the thanks of tn
party should be given to those elect
ors who at the wish of the part
resigned positions. They are un
selfish patriots.
Later, when we saw the Populis
party drifting again into the arms c
the Republicans, and knowing tina
at least eighty per cent. of the voter
of that party were Democrats a
heart. and seeing before us tn
dreadful and disgraceful consequence
, which must follow this fusion, you
committee made last effort to &C
back those people who had so recent
lv before stood in our ranks besid
us. Manifold reasons urged thi
course-which this is not the tim
or place to discuss-but did not SUI
/ ceed.
am we'll aware that our actlo
met the criticisms that the con
mittee had exceeded its authority.
t do not admit it. yet | want to say
{ this convention. that the action
YOUR committee was that of unse ii 5
men having alone for their guidanc
the welfare and integrity of tt
party. that integrity of the gre
Democracy which means so much
j, the good people of the State.
do not mean by this rehearsal
i our past conduct to forestall any a
ton of this convention. A differel
situation now presents itself fro
y, that which confronted the commit
in 90, but | deem this statement
duty which the committee owes
this body, soon to be in deliberate
as to party policy. hope for you a
that wisdom and concord may he
sway over your counsels. We N;
hold different views today, tomorro
=, all must have but one opinion
% united Democracy determined
IS win. will win. Let us gather o
IS forces together.
= e At the conclusion of Mr.. Mani,
Or remarks he announced Col. j. S. Ca
as temporary chairman. and t
convention broke forth in great a