The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-04
TO-DAY MARKS THE TRANSITION
FROM RADICALISM TO DE-
MOCRACY.

TO-DAY MARKS THE TRANSITION
FROM RADICALISM TO DE-
MOCRACY.
This is the red letter day in the history
of North Carolina.
The intelligence and virtue of the State
under ban for four years, has been re-
instated in power At noon today the
Legislative Department of government
passes into the hands of the Democratic
party. In North Carolina more power is
lodged in the hands of the Legislature
and less in the other departments OF
State government. than in any other
State in the Union. This fact gives to
this Legislature rare interest and great
power for good.
The eyes of the people of the State are
upon this Legislature. They do not
expect it TO do many things. In fact
there is a general feeling that it ought
to Chew to the line" marked out in the
State platform and other pledges made
during the campaign, leaving to the flu
ture the Inauguration of reforms that
are not now pressing. There are meas
nres of progress, such for example, as
the rcformatory for young criminals,
which cannot be undertaken at this
time. The people are too poor to be tax
ed even for good reforms. They must
wait until after 1900 when, let us hope,
the peoples condition will be such that
When the gavel falls at noon today, a
new era dawns in the political history
of North Carolina. For four years the
people have longed for the dawning of
this day. For four years the preachers
and good women have prayed fo~ II For
four years the patriotic men in the State
have planned and labored and spoken
and written TO convince those white men
who put fusion in power TO undo their
mistake and to remove the blight from
the good Commonwealth. Two years
ago they preached the gospel with great
power. Under the leadership of that
pure and eloquent patriot Cyrus b.
Watson, the good men of the State made
a mighty effort to dethrone the corrupt
rulers. But at that time the Republican
rule had not fully done its ruinous work.
Rnssellism and Pritchardism with the
isms of the other Populist- Republicans
had not been SO notorious as after the Re-
pop-licans obtained complete control of
all departments of government. 1898
and 1896 We're disgraceful enough, but
1898 reached to high heaven, and dis
gusted the honest people Of all parties
in the State. The Democratic party was
the only party that exposed and de-
nounced the rottenness and promised
that Il new broom would sweep clean
Having faith in this promise. thousands
Of Populists returned to their old Tome
and hundreds of Republicans voted for
the Democratic nominees as the only
hope of securing decent government in
North Carolina. They therefore have a
right. in common with the Democrats.
to look TO see the Democrats redeem
their pledges, and make clean sweep.
Will the Legislature measure up to
the expectations Of the people?' There
is every Indication that it will redeem
every pledge made, pursue a course of
economy and frugality, provide a meas.
IRE for restricting suffrage so as to
enminate the mass Of ignorant negro
voters, and thus meet the just expecta-
tons of the people.
Most of the members of this General
Assembly were drafted. They were not
named because they desired the nominal
tions. Many of them, in fact. were
forced to run because they were the
strongest men in their counties. Their
popularity and their integrity made a
contrast to their Fusion opponents that
told with honest voters. Ii is fortunate
that this Legislature. of which great
things are expected, is composed of
such men. They can be trusted to redeem
their pledges, enact wise laws. elect fit
men to positions, resent suggestions or
dictation from improper sources, and in
all ways to merit the confidence reposed
in them.
The State is in safe hands. The legis-
lators will be conservatively radical and
radically conservative. They understand
that they were elected by revolution
that was equivalent to instructions to
take long steps in the direction of Sc
curing and maintaining White Suprem-
acy. They know that this can be done
only in the organic law of the State
and TO the end of securing the best
amendments to the Constitution to re-
strict suffrage they will give their best
thought and labor.