The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-21
WHITE MANS DAY
DEMOCRATS FROM FOUR COUNTIES MEET
IN TARBOR0.
A Rousing Mass Convention and Strong Tick.
ct Nominated. Barbecue and Flo
uuence in Plenty.

Tarboro, n. c., October 20.--(Special.)
Tuesdays gathering in Tarboro was
the biggest political meeting seen here
for many years. The crowd was estima.
ted at five thousand white people. Tt
was perfectly understood that Tuesday
was white mans day and the negro
was not here.
Heretofore so much has been said
about the negro in Edgecombe, that I
would the whole State could have looked
in on our people Tuesday They would
have seen a united Democracy.
1t was first proposed several wee IS aga
by the White Government Urion at
Tarboro, to take the place OF old TIM.
convention with delegates. 1t was decided
not only to have the mass-m citing, but to
give the thousands of people that woul.
attend big barbecue The work on
tuesday proved that the plan was Il good
one, for there We're more white peonla
IN Iarboro than has been known in
many day. They began TO assemble
the night before and by IL O'Clock Tues
day morning there were on the streets
at least five thousand white men, They
were here from Nash, Wilson. Martin,
Pitt and Halifax counties. Every town
ship in the county sent big delegation
but Nos. 8 and 10 capped the climax.
No. 10 sent the biggest delegation of all.
The band was sent to meet these dele.
cations, and as they turned into Main
street at Hotel Farrar corner, hundreds
of buggies and teams, the enthusiasm II
all grew to white heat, as cheer after
cheer went up from the spectators fer
Nos. 8 and 10 townships. The process
sion went all over town, and for fully an
hour yells such as have never been heard
here before, rent the air, and the whole
town went wild with enthusiasm.
Two large stands had been erected in
the town commons, where the speaking
was to he. BY twelve o'clock fully four
thousand people had gathered around
these stands to hear the good old time
Democratic doctrine. On the right or
the speakers stand were one hundred
and fifty children and fifty young ladies
and gentlemen, who opened this occasion
with 'My Country 'Tis Of Thee" A
they concluded the applause was tremen-
dous. This patriotic song stirred the
very depths of the souls of all present.
Mr.. b. 4. Aycock, of Wayne county,
was the first speaker of the day. He
spoke for an hour, when cold wind
from the East sprung up, and with
a drizZling rain. He made a plain honest
speech, but one that went to the hearts
of all present. On account of the wealth
err the meeting was adjourned, and Chair
man Gillian announced that there would
be speaking at the town hall and court
house. Both these buildings were filled
to their utmost capacity. Mr.. #. M.
Simmons spoke at the town hall. and
Mr.. Aycock at the court house. The
speech of the day was made by M
Simmons, the State chairman. He spoke
for an hour, which time was devoted to
the question of the day. He puts things
plainly and to the point and throughout
his speech he was loudly cheered. He
was in touch with lis audience, ana
made one of the best speeches | ever
heard.
AT one O'clock dinner for five thousand
people was ready, and five thousand hun
CRY people went to work on it in earnest
l never saw crowd enjoy barbecue
more in my life. and there was enough
for all. This dinner was the old-fash-
Toned Edgecombe barbecue of eighty
hogs.
The county convention, or mass-meet-
ing. was called to order by Chairman
Gillian at three o'clock. The conven-
ton was for business and not speech
making. 1t was held in Jeffress ware
house, and the following ticket was nom
mated:
For sheriff. J. r. Harris.
For Register of Deeds, b. +. Dawson,
by reclamation.
For clerk, Ed. Pennington, by acclama-
ton.
For treasurer, J. w. e. Battle
For Senate, DR.. X. III. Speight, by ac-
camation.
For the House, S. r. Hart and III.
A. Gillian, by reclamation.
For coroner, DR.. Harrell, by acclama-
ton.
For surveyor, John Howard, by accla-
nation.
For county commissioners, s. S. Nash,
e. l.. Daughtridge and VI. S. Crisp, by
reclamation.
The convention was one of perfect har-
mony, free from strife or confusion
where the candidates were the choice of
the people and selected by the people