The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-23
lNSULTED WHITE LADIES
AND WILTED UNDER POTrS
SCATHING DENUNCIATION.
ADMITTED THAT He IS A GOLD-BUG
And.'hat he Did not List his Property for Tax
alton Until After he was Nominated
for.Solcior. His Last Joint
Discussion.

OtSGuS
Smithfield. n. c., Oct. 22.-(Special.)
Last night in this town witnessed the
complete destruction of Oliver III. Dock
cry, Jr., the Republican candidate for
solicitor. After much coaxing, he finally
agreed to meet Edward w. Pou, the
Democratic cadidate, in joint debate.
In discussing the details Dockery re-
quested that the white people be kept
separate from the negroes in the court
room. Mr.. Pou readily agreed TO this.
and told Mr.. Dockery that really the
white people of Johnston had no desire
to commingle with the negro, either in the
court room or in any other place. One
enthusiastic Democrat yelled when Pou
told him this, whereupon DOckery said
it was quite evident that he was not to
he treated with respect and hence would
decline to engage in the discussion. Mr..
Pou told him the Democrats of Smith
field were gentlemen and he would be
treated with respect Young Office Hun
ter then agreed.
He lead off in speech of one hour
did not touch upon the issues of the day
at all. His speech was evidently the old
Republican harrangue which his father
has been delivering all over North Caro-
lima for twenty years. The last part,
however, was vile in the extreme. He
spoke of the banner which the ladies
of Johnston have presented to be de-
livered to the township which makes the
greatest Democratic gain. He said Their
was a white man by the name of Baker,
somewhere. who had been convicted of
fornication with a negro woman. lie said
that he wanted to suggest that the Dem
ocrats bring this fellow to make the
presentation speech on the day when the
banner is delivered. But he said.
turning to the negroes. ''you had better
keep your women out of his way when
he comes" He charged that the Demo
Gratis had appointed 107 negro magis-
trates. and turning to the white peo-
pie, said, You are white on the outside,
but you are black on the inside" The
young man was evidently mad and des-
perate and made n most contemplate
exhibition of himself. The above is Il
fair sample of his speech.
When Pou arose TO reply, the house
went wild. The court house was filed
with about three hundred whites and
two hundred negroes, the latter drummed
up by Radical leaders for the occasion.
Ed. Pou was at his best and the people
of this section of the State know what
that means. He said fellow citizens You
have heard it, the vilest speech ever
delivered in this court house This
young man has for long time de-
clined to meet me. I have heard of his
speeches and the vile charges he has
God at last / have the opportunity to
meet him." The arraignment that fol-
lowed was severe, but it was
as polite and polished as Dockery would
permit it to be.
''You charge the Democrats with
cheating" said Pou, II want 10 ask you
if you have not repeatedly charged that
Daniel l.. Russell stole the nomination
for Governor from your father?" No re-
ply. ''Will you deny it?' Still no reply.
"Silence is confession" said Pou and
the crowd went wild. The negroes were
near sick, and Jenkins and Pat Massey
were pictures of despair.
'.Butler is an honorable man, isn't hep
said Pou. and Dockery bowed assent
''He tells the truth don't he?" said Pou.
Dockery again bowed. When" said
Pou, sin February 1897, he said your
fusion Legislature was a damnable dis
grace to the State he told the truth.
did hep No reply. "Will you deny it?'
Still no reply, and the crowd again went
wild.
"You charge" said Pou, "that Demo
ORC cl at yIpe cd M aorsc
trates. You and your party are the last
people on earth to complain. You sent
up petition after petition for negro magis-
trates for Radical communities. i ex
pect you Radicals in Richmond county
asked for negroes / want to tell you.
young man and your fusion crowd, that
when the Democratic Legislature of
1899 convenes it will provide that no
negro magistrates will sit in Judgment
over the rights and liberties of the white
people of this noble, but disgraced
State" And again the crowd went
wild.
"You have insulted the white women
of my county," said Pou. "On Tues
day of last court, beautiful young wo-
man. arrayed in white, elevated by her
noble life as far above your miserable
associates as heaven is above the earth,
with her own pure hands delivered to
our chairman, on behalf Of our white
women and children, banner to be
given to the township which makes
the greatest white gain. / saw old men
in tears as they beheld this beautiful
tableau, and contemplated the degreda-
tions Of our State by your party. And
now you come fresh from your assocla-
ton with your negro heelers and Insult
the white women Of my county, by sug'
costing that IA man convicted of fornlca-
ton and adultery with negro woman,
shall deliver this sacred banner, dedica-
ted TO our wives and daughters. God
have mercy upon you in the depths tc
which you seem to descend" This was
simply crushing. The white people were
furious, and D0ckery hung his head in
shame.
1T is not possible to give n synopsis
of Pou's speech. 1t was eloquent, OF
course. 1t was severe, but not half 81
severe as Dockery deserved At times
it was awful in denunciation of tn,
wrongs done our State. Pou mad