The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-20

people to follow his advice, as much as
one may like him personally. He is not
safe to follow, nor for that matter can
man owing obligations to railway cor
porations in this State be wisely
put into a place of leadership i'll
the Democratic party Disinterested
men must he sought if the people
would get back to the principles of JEFF
fersen: if they would try to compass a
problem even as simple and at once as
grand as this: to send men to the capt.
toll to do their will and men who will do
il honestly. That is the backbone OF
this Republic. and any departure from
il results in deformity. 1t is not mea-
sures we need; measures are plentiful;
it is men. Where is the man? The
people are looking here and there. and
seeing not, they do but wonder. When
the people cary. lead us!' only the white
ghost of their elder brother of Com
broom walks from the encircling gloom,
saving. my walk was with you in those
DAYS. NV well-beloved. and We are even
now my well beloved still!' The man VIII
come, maybe from out of a strip of back
woods of which no one wots. He will
come awkwarlly, maybe, with legs ana
arms and body of hickory and heart of
truth, and of love and of fearlessnesS.
Words will be put into his mouth, words
of poise and of sincerity, and walking
beside him. in robes Of the mist of the
mountain, Vance will appear again say
ing, Beloved. be Of good mind, he
comes!'
The slough of it all! this corruption
upon the liberties of the people. 1t is of
no use TO speak about it without going
straight through the slough with plain
words. and there should be plain action,
too, by the people. The Remedy:
Build the representation of the people
upon the basis of the people. Let the
representatives be of the people, no
better. no worse than the people. That
is all. If ever the voice Of the people
were needed to he clear it is this year.
Let the Vice President of the Southern
Railway and the attorneys of the South
ern Railway pursue their legitimate
lines as they have a right to do, but the
people do not need them for their best
interests as leaders III politics. The
next thing after acting from the stand
point of the people is for the white peo-
pie to act together toward the same end
for the OverthrOwing Of negro dOmna-
ton and dissoute white government.
In no other way will honest results be
achieved. and certain victory be gained.
The writer is profoundly sensible of the
fact that he does not possess the promi-
nence that Should inhere in one who
would tell the people what they should
do. nor is such thing intended, except
as it is believed that the opinions ex-
pressed here represent the best wishes
of the people in whose name the views
are presented. Says Jefferson again:
Il think by far the most important bill
in our whole code, is that for the diffu-
sion of knowledge among the people.
No other sure foundation can be de-
yised. for the preservation of freedom
and happiness" A ''regenerated De
mocracy" must start over again with the
belief that what Jefferson planned is a
good enough foundation for this govern
men to grow upon Whatever comes
in conflict with this will must be scan
ned. and in most cases scorned. Certain
~ one thing is true: The corporation
influence that has been at work through
out even the social fabric Of the people
should he torn asunder from the Demo
cratic programme, no matter who gets
hurt, or else Democracy viii continue
TO get its most artful. and therefore
worst enemies from within.