The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-02-02
1.-THE BEST DEMOCRAT IN THE
STA TE."

state
It is not any of the we'll known and
highly respected faithful leaders OF the
party, though they are true and tried
and have first place in the affections of
the party.
It is not any of the faithful and able
men who were elected to high position
by the last General Assembly, as high
places 40 they deservedly hold in the
esteem of their party,
The best Democrat in North Carolina
Is an humble, industrious, prudent, hon.
orable Harnett county farmer who Is in
Raleigh attending the meeting OF the
Confederate veterans. He was taken
into the House yesterday by his mem
Der, MIR. d. H. Mclean, of Harnett, who
gave him a aeat on the floor, and in
troduced him to some OF the members
as the high priest OF Democracy in
Harnett county.
His name is CASTOR I. Holt, of Brad
ley's Store, Harnett county, and he Is
much above three score years and ten.
For sixty years he has voted the Demo
cratic ticket, loving bis party with a
passion that is as pure as ever animated
the heart of man.
In his youth Mr.. Holt did not enjoy
the advantages OF an education, and is
unable to read his ballot or to write
his name, but he is better posted upon
the great Issues that divide parties
than many men who have rubbed their
heads against college walls, and in his
.iei Il, borhood this patriarch OF Democ-
racy is looked up to and honored by the
younger Democracy as much as 1t he
were the most accomplished scholar in
the community.
met the true old disciple of Andrew
Jackson after he had visited the Legis-
lature. He said, ut is an old-fashlon-
ed body of old-fashloned Democrats
and they Will do right" He aeked
about the constitutional amendment.
said, cit will be something after the
Louisiana plan"
"What is that?" Mr.. Holt asked.
at provides" l answered, THAT no
man can vote in North Carolina who
cannot read and write, or who does not
own $500 worth of property, provided
why" said Mr.. D. E. Green, OF Har-
nett, who was present, "that educa-
tional qualification would not permit
our old friend, Mr.. Holt, to vote"
started to 60 on with provided"
when Mr. Holt stopped me. I could
see that in the brief moment great
change had been going on within him,
and with the suggestion OF tears In his
eyes, he said in tones that showed his
sincerity, "That is alright. 1t my par
ty finds 1t necessary to take the ballot
from me in order to give the State
good government, am willing to be
disfranchlsed."
/ looked at Mr.. Green and he looked
at me. II there wasn't a tear in the
eyes of both it was not because our
hearts had not been touched by the
high exhibition of patriotism on the
part of this father in Democracy. l
laid my hand On his arm and said in
substance to him, "Thers are fifty thou
sand strong armed young men in North
Carolina who would surrender their
arms before they would permit law
to pass that would take the ballot from
you. There has been no suggestion on
the part of anybody that the ballot
should be taken from any citizen like
you, Mr.. Holt. The Louisiana law
goes on to say provided that this shall
not apply to any man who was voter
on the first of January, 1867, or whose
father or grandfather was a voter At
that date In addition to this, when
you have once registered under that
roll, you are on the poll books Tor all
time and your right to vote can never
again be questioned"
The old gentleman saw the point at
once, his mind was relieved, but he
said II am glad that the law will be
like that, but would be willing to lose
the right to vote if by SO doing it would
give US good government"
Some people say that the day of
heroes, martyrs and patriots has passed.
Not so. It was easier for the soldier
to stand at Thermopyle than for this
veteran Democrat to make the sacrifice
his patriotism made him willing to
make. And Mr.. Holt Is not the only
aged patriot in North Carolina who
would welcome this self-sacrifice If 1t
were necessary for the good of their
party or country. It will never be ne.
cessary, it will never be- permitted, but
it shows the sterling material out OF
which the Old Guard of Democracy is
made.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Thankful words written nv Mrs. Ada