The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-21
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS

The will of the big Pie Eater was car
red out in the Republican State conven-
ton without friction. The machine was
so perfectly oiled that it did not slip Il
cog. From the moment that Chairman
Hoton let the gayel fall at noon until
Chairman Linney declared an adjourn
ment, everything was carried out in ic-
cordance with the cut and dried pro-
gramme. 1t follows that the convention
was dull and lstless, having no life nor
spirit except when negro orator stirred
up the negroes by an unworthy and vi
cious and low speech. The reception of
mon decency, showed that the conven-
ton as body was fifty represented by
the utterances of the negro leader. Even
Mr.. Linney, who is not wanting i'll
ability and witty sayings, was common
place and heavy, actually telling Private
John Aliens good jokes so poorly as to
put his hearers to nodding. Spencer
Blackburn, whose only speech in his
repertoire is to declaim Il Cannot Beat Il
Retreat" could evoke no enthusiasm.
The orders had come (the leaders We're
carrying them out obediently) but they
could not evoke enthusiasm out of a cut
and dried programme.
No nominations were made. The con-
vention even refused to ratify the dis
trict nominations already made. The exc
cutive committee was given plenary power
as to solicitors and judges, and author
lied to trade with the Populists.
For weeks we have been hearing the
convention would witness battle royal
over the proposition to endorse Russell's
administration. Some of the Federal
Pie Eaters have been swearing that it
should never be done while State Pie
Eaters have sworn violently that they
would have endorsement or n row. In
asmuch as there is no real difference in
the policies of the two Pie Brigades
would jeopardize the pie by wrangle.
The platform endorses everything and
everybody in sight If there is any old
thing not endorsed. the commission is due
to an oversight. for it was the purpose
of the convention to make the platform
an omnibuss affair endorsing everything
that needed endorsement.
1t was n characteristic Republican
convention, composed almost entirely of
backs, there were the Ponulists who
have come over bodily, and the new re-
cruits who bit at the Pie hook. The
sons of Ham," as Mr.. Linney called
his dusky constituents. were much in
evidence, and showed that the taste Of
Office had whetted their appetites, and
please, sir, want some more the. only
difference being that they leave off the
please sir" and go in to demand and
take of the pieces in sight. Their spirit
is to take every office they can and if
the Republican party wins this year, the
negroes will oyerrnn the East, and make
the white men bow down to them and
whisper in bondsman's key. No man
could see the spirit displayed without
seeing that Congressman White voiced
the sentiment of his race and party.
The alarm has been sounded. The true
white men who have seen and felt the
evils and ills of the first act of Repub
lican rule see what it will mean if the
other acts are permitted to take place
They will, in the presence Of the threats
against their race and the protection of
their homes, unite to restore that white
rule in North Carolina which has been re-
placed by negroes and their white office
holding slaves.