Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1899-11-02

OASAs
'sThe course of the Morning Ga
zette in this whole transaction can
be compared only to the villain who
ingratiates himself into the affec-
tions of woman that he may betray
and ruin her, and then turn upon
her in her shame and deride her for
lack of chastity.
North Carolina loves political
and religious freedom. In every war
that has been waged, in every battle
that has been fought for either, she
has always been the leader of the
van, but for those whose principles
car be bought and whose manhood
is for sale, North Carolina has never
had, has not now, and never will
have liberation.
"Ihere are living in Asheville to-.
day, enjoying the respect, confidence
and esteem of our people in the
highest possible degree, native born
and acquired citizens who are Re
publicans. Any man who respects
himself will be accorded the respect
of North C~arolinlans, but for Judas
I~scariots, Benedict Arnolds and
hypocritical lnterlopers with itching
palms we have neither respect MOI
room"
A few years ago the present editor
of The Gazette moved to North
Carolina, located at Asheville and
purchased The Ashe7ille Gazette.
The Gazette was then a Democratic
paper, and the new editor continued
up to the time hereinafter mentioned
to publish it as such. During the last
campaign it claimed to be a Demo
cratic paper, and advocated, in a
general way, Democratic principles,
though it manifested throughout the
campaign a suspicious leaning to
Richmond Pearson, the rich Repub-
lican candidate for Congress, as
against the Democratic candidate,
hr. Crawford, who is a poor man.
During the session of the Legisla-
ture of 1899, it supported the policy
of our party in that body, and advo-
Gated the adoption by it of the
amendment. After the amendment
had passed the body, it advocated
its ratification by the people at the
polls. It continued thus to advocate
the amendment until a few months
ago and about the time Senator
Pritchard is reputed TO have received
a large anti-amendment fund from
Mr.. Mark Hanna. About that time
the editor of The Gazette made a
pilgrimage to Marshall, the home of
Senator Pritcbard, and spent the
most of the day closely closeted with
the Senator. Almost Immediately
upon his return from this conference
to AEheyllle, The Gazette, without
any previous announcement eff any.
change Of conviction upon the sub
ject, ana without any change either
IN management or editor. came out.
IN violent and rabid opposition and
denunclation Of the amendment.
Notwithstanding this sudden and
remarkable change of base, made
under the circumstances stated, The
Gazette continued to assert that it
was a Democratic paper. Shocked at
such a display of inconsistency and
apparent hypocrisy. The Asheville
Citizen made an investigation "into
the why's and wherefores," and as a
result, published the article above
quoted. Since then The Citizen has
repeated and reiterated openly and
above board and without any quail
fcations, the charge of sale and
stipulated duplicity, and to this
charge The Gazette has never made,
I am informed, any direct or ade-
quate denial. Before it's sale to the
Republican 'fbosses," The Gazette
was a local paper, with a very limited
circulation, scarcely known beyond
the community in which it was pub
lished. Suddenly, after the sale, it
began to circulate largely through
out the State. 1t appeared regularly
on the tables of Republican politi-
clans everywhere. Republican post
masters, storekeepers, gaugers and
deputy collectors began poking
copies of it in peoples faces, and to
represent it as a simon pure" Dem
ocratic sheet, edited by a Democrat
too conscientious to support the
amendment.
Undoubtedly, any newspaper has
a right to change it's political afilia-
tions at the will of It's editor or own
ers, but when this is done, honesty,
as understood in North Carolina,
requires a public announcement Of
the change. Undoubtedly, a news
paper can, if so disposed, sell it's
opinions for gold. There is no sort
of doubt that The Asheville Gazette
is now being edited under Republi-
can auspices. and that it is not only
a Republican paper, seeking in every
way possible to Republican
interests in North arolina, but that
it is the State organ OF the Republi-
can party, receiving it's daily inspira.
ton from Holton, Pearson and
Pritchard. Its pretence of being a
Democratic paper is a miserable
fraud upon the public, and it's at
tempt to pass itself off as O Demo
cratic paper is 81 part of a wretched
scheme, deliberately concocted by
the Republican managers, to deceive
the people concerning the object of
the amendment. This despicable
scheme illustrates perfectly the plan
Of campaign the Republican leaders
and bosses proposes to make against
the amendment. The people of
North Carolina hate treacherv and
despise a spy, and I am glad you
have, by your inquiries, given me
this opportunity TO tear away the
false eolors under which The Ga
zette is sailing, and expose to the
gaze of fair minded men of all parties
tie miserable sham. You1s truly,
F.. IA. SIMMONS,
Chairman.